Shanco Contracts is looking for a Talent & Engagement Manager to take ownership of how we find, attract, onboard, engage and retain great people.
This is not a traditional recruitment role. Rather than waiting until vacancies arise, we want to proactively build relationships with talented people across the construction and groundworks industry so that we have a strong talent pool ready for the future.
You’ll also take responsibility for making sure people joining Shanco have a professional onboarding experience and continue to feel engaged and supported once they’re part of the business.
The Role
This isn’t about simply filling vacancies.
Our aim is to create a genuine pipeline of people who know Shanco, understand our culture and would consider joining us when the right opportunity arises.
You’ll have the opportunity to shape the systems, relationships and approach that determine how Shanco attracts, develops, engages and retains its people as the business grows.
The role will involve:
- Proactively identifying and building relationships with groundworkers, plant operators, supervisors and other potential employees.
- Developing and maintaining an active talent pool for current and future requirements.
- Using telephone contact, referrals, social media, industry groups and other channels to identify potential candidates.
- Maintaining relationships with people even when there isn’t an immediate vacancy.
- Supporting and continuously improving the Shanco onboarding experience.
- Conducting regular employee and new-starter check-ins.
- Coordinating and tracking security-clearance requirements for our secure projects.
- Working alongside Operations and HSEQ to identify training and development requirements.
- Helping identify potential retention issues and improve employee engagement.
- Maintaining accurate, useful information through our recruitment and people systems.
- Looking for opportunities to use technology, AI and automation to reduce administration and improve the employee experience.
What we’re looking for
We’re ideally looking for someone who is naturally good with people.
You may already work in construction recruitment, internal recruitment, workforce coordination, employee engagement or another people-focused role. Alternatively, you may come from another industry entirely and have the relationship-building skills we’re looking for.
Construction or civil engineering experience would be advantageous, but is not essential.
You’ll ideally be:
- An excellent communicator who enjoys talking to people.
- Confident approaching and engaging people you don’t already know.
- Empathetic and approachable while still able to be firm when required.
- Resilient and persistent when people are difficult to reach or engage.
- Highly organised and comfortable managing multiple relationships and priorities.
- Comfortable using social media and digital tools.
- Interested in how AI and automation can remove unnecessary administration.
- Happy visiting construction sites and engaging directly with our operational workforce.
- Flexible around working hours when required, recognising that many construction workers are easier to contact before or after their working day. Some weekend work may also be required occasionally.
You’ll be joining a business where people know each other, decisions are made quickly, and people are trusted to get on with the job.
What We Offer
- Basic salary of £35,000-£45,000 (D.O.E)
- Generous car allowance
- Flexible hybrid working
- Genuine long-term opportunity
- Supportive, down-to-earth team environment
- Opportunity to grow with the business
If you’re looking for this highly varied role, we’d like to hear from you.
About the Company
At Shanco we take pride in our reputation as a leading groundworks construction company who cares about every project we undertake. With a focus on professionalism, teamwork, and adaptability, we specialise in diverse sectors including Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Care homes, Educational facilities, and new build hospitals.
At Shanco Contracts, people are at the heart of our business. We are committed to fostering a family feel to the work environment that is supportive and fun.
