Senior HR Adviser

Sumitomo Electric; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumitomo Electric in Glasgow, Scotland, seeks a Senior HR Adviser for EPC & Business Development to lead HR support across the employee lifecycle and act as the primary HR contact for managers.

You will own day-to-day HR operations, oversee recruitment, onboarding, payroll inputs, employee relations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams including UK and Japanese expatriates.

The role emphasizes hands-on ownership, independence and practical HR solutions in a fast-growing environment.

Qualifications

• Proven generalist HR experience across the employee lifecycle.
• Experience handling recruitment for professional roles.
• Practical HR advisory on employee relations and performance issues.
• Payroll administration and HR documentation experience.
• Onboarding and integration of new hires.

Responsibilities

• Recruit end-to-end recruitment for EPC and Business Development groups in Glasgow.
• Be the first HR contact for managers and employees.
• Own day-to-day HR operations and payroll inputs for Glasgow staff.
• Provide practical HR solutions and escalate high-risk matters.
• Support onboarding, probation, and employee integration.

Skills

Generalist HR

Recruitment

HR Advisory

Payroll

Onboarding

Employee relations

Job description

Position Title

Senior HR Adviser – EPC & Business Development

Location

Glasgow, Scotland

Reports to

Head of HR & Workplace

Role Purpose

The Senior HR Adviser is the dedicated HR lead supporting SEUK's rapidly growing EPC and Business Development organisation based in Glasgow.

Working closely with the Head of HR & Workplace, the role is responsible for delivering end-to-end HR support across the employee lifecycle while acting as the primary HR contact for managers and employees.

This is a hands‑on role requiring ownership, independence and sound judgement. The successful candidate will manage day-to-day HR activities with minimal supervision, proactively identify issues and provide practical HR solutions, escalating strategic or high‑risk matters where appropriate.

Act as the voice of the EPC & Business Development within the HR function, ensuring HR solutions reflect operational needs while remaining aligned with company‑wide policies and governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
• Lead end‑to‑end recruitment for the EPC and Business Development organisation, together with other Glasgow‑based functions as required.
• Partner with hiring managers on workforce planning.
• Manage recruitment agencies and executive search partners.
• Coordinate direct sourcing and headhunting activities.
• Manage offers, visas and relocation support.
• Deliver an excellent candidate experience.
• Onboarding & Employee Integration
• Own onboarding from offer acceptance to successful integration.
• Coordinate onboarding activities, including employment documentation, induction and liaison with relevant support functions to ensure new starters are successfully integrated into the business.
• Support new starters during probation and early employment.
• HR Advisory & Employee Relations
• Act as the first HR contact for managers and employees.
• Provide advice on probation, performance, absence, disciplinary and grievance matters.
• Handle employee queries professionally and confidentially.
• Escalate complex or high‑risk matters appropriately.
• Cross‑cultural Collaboration
• Build trusted relationships across Japanese expatriates, UK employees and international hires.
• Support managers in navigating cultural differences.
• Promote employee engagement and an inclusive culture.
• HR Operations, Payroll & Benefits
• Own day‑to‑day HR operations for the Glasgow organisation, ensuring efficient and accurate administration across the employee lifecycle.
• Prepare employment contracts, contractual changes and other employment documentation.
• Manage HR administration relating to new starters, internal transfers and leavers.
• Prepare and validate payroll inputs for the Glasgow employee population, ensuring timely and accurate submission to the HR Operations team.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR system data for the Glasgow organisation.
• Coordinate the administration of employee benefits, including pension and other reward programmes, working closely with the HR Operations team.
• Partner with the HR Operations team in Alness to ensure consistent application of HR policies, procedures and employment practices across SEUK.
• Represent the EPC & Sales business in HR initiatives by providing operational insight and business requirements to support the development and continuous improvement of company‑wide HR policies, procedures and systems, led by the wider HR team.
• Act as the Glasgow HR representative in cross‑functional HR initiatives, collaborating with colleagues across SEUK to develop practical, scalable and business‑focused HR solutions.
• Business Partnership & Continuous Improvement
• Coach managers on people management.
• Support organisational change and workforce planning.
• Improve HR processes and support HR projects.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a generalist HR role supporting managers and employees across the employee lifecycle.
• Experience managing end‑to‑end recruitment for professional and specialist positions.
• Experience providing practical advice on employee relations and performance management.
• Experience coordinating onboarding, HR administration and payroll processes.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, growing organisation.
• Experience maintaining HRIS and employee records.

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting project‑based, engineering, construction or EPC organisations.
• Experience recruiting technical and project delivery professionals, including senior and specialist positions.
• Experience working with contractors, consultants and agency workers in a project environment.
• Experience supporting international recruitment, visa sponsorship or global mobility.
• Experience working within a multicultural and internationally diverse workforce.
• Experience recruiting passive candidates through executive search or headhunting approaches.

Key Competencies

Ownership & Initiative

Takes ownership of work, proactively identifies priorities and delivers outcomes with minimal supervision. Demonstrates accountability, resilience and a willingness to take responsibility in a fast‑growing organisation.

Hands‑on Mindset

Enjoys working across a broad range of HR activities, from strategic initiatives to day‑to‑day operations. Willingly steps outside defined responsibilities to support the wider business and contribute wherever needed.

Trusted Partnership

Builds trusted working relationships through open communication, mutual respect and a collaborative approach. Demonstrates the confidence to work independently while maintaining regular alignment with stakeholders, exercising sound judgement in when to act autonomously and when to seek guidance to achieve the best outcome.

Solution‑Focused Mindset

Takes ownership of challenges by developing practical, well‑considered solutions rather than simply identifying issues or risks. Brings forward clear recommendations, applies sound judgement in balancing business needs and risks, and works collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcome.

Commercial Awareness

Understands business priorities and applies commercial awareness when providing HR advice and recommendations. Balances people, compliance and business objectives to support practical, value‑adding decisions that contribute to organisational success.

Communication & Influence

Communicates clearly and professionally with employees, managers and senior leaders. Builds credibility through practical advice, active listening and the ability to influence positive outcomes.

Prioritisation & Adaptability

Effectively manages multiple priorities in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment, remaining flexible and responsive as business needs evolve.

Continuous Improvement

Challenges existing ways of working constructively and proactively identifies opportunities to improve HR processes, systems and the overall employee experience.

Cultural Awareness

Works effectively within a multicultural environment, building strong relationships across diverse teams and demonstrating sensitivity to different working styles and cultural perspectives.

Success in the First 12 Months

• Establish yourself as the trusted HR partner for the EPC, Business Development and Glasgow organisation, building strong relationships with managers, employees and key stakeholders.
• Successfully recruit and onboard talent to support the continued growth of the EPC and Business Development organisation.
• Lead the day‑to‑day HR support for the Glasgow organisation, working confidently and independently while maintaining close alignment with the Head of HR & Workplace and the wider HR team.
• Develop a strong understanding of the EPC, Business Development and Glasgow business, enabling commercially balanced HR advice and practical people solutions that support business objectives.
• Represent the EPC and Business Development business by providing operational insight and business requirements to support the development and continuous improvement of company‑wide HR policies, processes and people initiatives, working in partnership with the wider HR team.
• Build effective working relationships with the HR Operations team, ensuring company‑wide HR policies and processes are implemented consistently while reflecting the operational needs of the EPC and Sales business.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high‑performing culture across a multicultural workforce.
• Build a reputation as a proactive, solution‑focused HR professional who is trusted to identify challenges, recommend practical solutions and deliver positive outcomes.

About Our Project In Port Of Nigg, Highland

Sumitomo Electric is one of the leading global manufacturers of state‑of‑the‑art high‑end electricity transmission cables, up to and including 525kV HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) cable.

The new factory at Nigg, with investment value announced by the Scottish Government of £350M, will make a significant contribution towards realisation of the UK Net Zero Target by contributing to critical electricity transmission infrastructure to connect and deliver renewable energy, including offshore wind, to UK consumers and beyond.

In addition, the factory will create more than 150 highly skilled jobs in the Scottish Highlands, with maximum utilisation of the local supply chain for production of cables and construction of transmission cable systems.

In a significant boost for the UK green energy supply chain, Sumitomo Electric has commenced construction of its state‑of‑the‑art subsea transmission cable factory in the Scottish Highlands.

The factory will supply critical elements for the reinforcement of the UK electricity transmission grid and for connecting renewable energy production facilities to the grid.

About Sumitomo Electric Group

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. is a recognised global technology leader with over 290,000 employees working at around 400 group companies in 40 countries. Building on more than 120 years of innovation, today Sumitomo Electric is engaged in diversified business activities that support people’s daily lives and industries in five business segments: automotive, infocommunications, electronics, environment & energy, and industrial materials.

To learn more about Sumitomo Electric, please visit https://sumitomoelectric.com,https://sumitomoelectric.com/company/office_group_companies/sumitomo-electric-uk-power-cables-ltd

and our YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/SumitomoElectric/).

Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/sumitomo-electric https://www.linkedin.com/company/sumitomo-electric-uk-power-cables/