HR Manager (Construction)

Private Advertiser; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Advertiser in Singapore seeks a pragmatic HR leader who balances strategic thinking with hands-on execution. You will oversee workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement, and HR improvement while ensuring compliance with Singapore employment laws and construction industry regulations.

This hands-on leader will manage a diverse workforce of office staff, project teams, and foreign workers, build credibility across all levels, and drive HR transformation including

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HRM or related field required.
• 5+ years of HR leadership or managerial experience in construction/engineering environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Singapore Employment Act and MOM regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead full spectrum of HR functions for corporate and project/site operations.
• Balance business needs with employee well‑being and build credibility at all levels.
• Drive HR transformation, digitalisation, and policy enhancements; establish metrics and reporting.

Skills

HR Leadership

Strategy & Planning

Employee Relations

Stakeholder Management

People Analytics

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in HRM or related field

Tools

HRIS

Payroll Systems

Job description

We are seeking a pragmatic and people-focused HR leader who can balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution. The ideal candidate remains calm under pressure, thrives in a fast‑paced environment, and demonstrates strong emotional intelligence. They will be able to balance business needs with employee well‑being while building strong relationships and credibility across all levels of the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead the full spectrum of HR functions, supporting both corporate and project/site operations. This includes workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement, and HR improvement initiatives, while ensuring compliance with Singapore employment laws and construction industry regulations. The role requires a hands‑on leader who can effectively manage a diverse workforce comprising office staff, project personnel, and foreign workers.

Strategic HR Leadership

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with the company's business objectives, growth plans, and operational requirements.
• Partner with senior management to drive workforce planning, organizational development, succession planning, and talent management initiatives.
• Provide strategic HR advice to management on manpower challenges, organizational restructuring, and change management.
• Lead HR transformation and process improvement initiatives, including HR digitalization, automation, and policy enhancements.
• Establish HR metrics and reporting frameworks to support management decision-making.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Lead end-to-end recruitment activities for management, technical, professional, project-based, and site operational positions.
• Develop workforce planning strategies to support project manpower requirements and business growth.
• Manage recruitment agencies, external partners, and talent pipelines to ensure timely hiring of qualified candidates.
• Oversee foreign manpower planning, including work pass applications, renewals, quotas, and compliance requirements.
• Strengthen employer branding initiatives to attract and retain skilled construction professionals.

Performance Management & Talent Development

• Develop and implement performance management frameworks that align employee performance with business and project objectives.
• Identify training and development needs across all levels of the organization.
• Drive leadership development, technical competency upgrading, and succession planning programs.
• Promote employee career development and internal mobility opportunities.

Compensation, Benefits & Payroll

• Review and manage compensation and benefits programs to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity.
• Oversee payroll administration, incentive schemes, annual salary reviews, and bonus exercises.
• Develop productivity-based reward and recognition programs to enhance employee performance and retention.
• Ensure accurate administration of employee benefits and statutory contributions.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Foster a positive workplace culture that promotes teamwork, accountability, and employee well‑being.
• Manage employee relations matters, including grievance handling, disciplinary investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives to improve morale, retention, and organizational commitment.
• Support communication and engagement between management, office staff, project teams, and site workers.

Compliance, Industrial Relations & Governance

• Ensure compliance with Singapore employment legislation, workplace regulations, and industry‑specific requirements.
• Oversee HR policies, procedures, employee handbooks, and HR governance frameworks.
• Manage audits and maintain proper HR documentation and records.
• Ensure compliance relating to foreign workforce management, work passes, accommodation requirements, and relevant statutory obligations.
• Collaborate with Safety and Operations teams to promote workplace safety culture and employee welfare across all project sites.

HR Operations

• Lead and supervise the HR team to ensure efficient delivery of HR services.
• Drive continuous improvement of HR processes, systems, and service standards.
• Manage HR budgets and ensure cost‑effective utilization of resources.
• Maintain HRIS and employee data integrity to support reporting and analytics.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or related discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of HR leadership or managerial experience, preferably within construction, engineering, infrastructure, or project‑based environments. Strong knowledge of Singapore Employment Act, MOM regulations, work pass administration, and construction manpower requirements is essential.
• Proven experience managing diverse workforces, including local and foreign employees in high‑operational, labour‑intensive, blue‑collar environments. Strong track record in HR operations covering recruitment, performance management, compensation & benefits, and employee relations. Experience supporting construction projects, contractors, or infrastructure organisations is highly preferred.
• Exposure to BCA manpower requirements, unionised environments, or large‑scale workforce management will be an advantage. Experience in HR transformation, digitalisation, or process improvement initiatives is desirable.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills are required, with the ability to operate effectively in fast‑paced, project‑driven, and matrix environments while partnering closely with Operations, Project, and Safety teams.