What does it take to stay ahead in a competitive field? Charlotte Hayes tells CM People how she maintains the edge in her role.
What attracted you to a career in the built environment?
The construction industry is incredibly diverse, not just in the projects it delivers but also in the people it attracts.
It brings together individuals with a wide range of skills, backgrounds and perspectives, which supports innovation and collaborative problem-solving.
Being part of an industry where different experiences and ideas are respected and leveraged is something I find genuinely rewarding.
What are your main responsibilities as HR director?
My role is to support the leadership team in achieving its business goals and helping Edge embed its people-first values. This includes overseeing talent management by supporting recruitment, retention and succession planning.
I also lead on employee relations and employee development initiatives, such as learning and development programmes, performance management and career progression pathways.
I’m responsible for developing and enforcing HR policies and ensuring legal compliance.
Finally, an increasingly key component of my job is promoting employee engagement and strengthening our positive workplace culture.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
It’s great to work for an organisation that really values its people. HR can often be associated with the negative – grievances, redundancies, dismissals and so on – but not at Edge.
Of course, we maintain a professional working environment with policies that must be followed, but Edge genuinely looks after its team.
I get to help shape how we do that, through our evolving benefits, rewards and recognition programmes, and by supporting our people to develop and progress.
We aim to stay ahead of competitors in what we offer employees, which means making sure they don’t catch up
What is the biggest challenge?
Keeping up is the biggest challenge, to be honest! Edge is a fast-moving, forward-thinking business, and we’re constantly evolving.
This means we need to be as agile as possible and our people strategies need to evolve with it. We aim to stay ahead of competitors in what we offer employees, which means making sure they don’t catch up.
How do you keep your skills and knowledge up to date?
I stay connected with others in the industry to see what’s new and what’s working for them.
I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. I regularly read leading HR publications and research reports, helping me to stay current with trends, industry best practice and legislation.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take the next step to a director-level role?
My advice would be to focus on thinking strategically, building influence and developing leadership skills.
Always be brave and throw your hat into the ring to lead potentially impactful new initiatives.
No matter what your role, it’s important to gain a solid understanding of the specific business you represent and the sectors it works in.
Don’t sit still – there’s always something new to learn. Develop your mentoring skills and take an active interest in supporting the next generation.
Are you looking for top construction talent? Want to get ahead of the competition? Contact Sophie Holland at CIOB Jobs.
