2026 Graduate People Partner

Job Title: Graduate People Partner

This role does not provide sponsorship   

We're looking for bright and committed graduates who will bring energy, new ideas and a fresh perspective to help us become the recognised leader and transform the construction and engineering industry.   

As a Graduate People Partner, you will help shape the employee experience across our Specialist Trading Business Group. From day one, you will support People Partners and business leaders on key initiatives including resource planning, talent development, engagement, early careers, culture programmes and people data.

You will work closely with operational and project teams to understand how people, performance and project delivery connect in a fast-paced construction and engineering environment. Building strong relationships with stakeholders, including senior leaders and frontline teams, you will support conversations that inform decisions and improve the employee experience.

The role is collaborative, working across teams and business units to deliver people-focused outcomes. You will develop a strong understanding of business needs while contributing fresh ideas, continuous improvement and acting as a positive ambassador for our culture and values.

Location

Based in Dartford, this role is UK‑wide, with an expectation of regular travel to our offices, manufacturing facilities and project sites. You'll need to be comfortable working in different environments, sometimes staying away from home.

Degree Subjects

• Human Resources
• Business or Management
• Psychology
• Sociology or Organisational Behaviors
• Law
• Social Sciences

Professional Accreditation

• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development - CIPD

Key Deliverables and Accountabilities 

• Support People Partners with day-to-day HR activities across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, performance, development, engagement and workforce planning.
• Build strong relationships with employees, managers and stakeholders across the business.
• Analyse people data to identify trends and support informed decision making.
• Contribute to talent, culture and inclusion initiatives such as early careers, mentoring, wellbeing, ED&I and leadership development.
• Assist with coordinating people-focused events, workshops and partnering activities.
• Bring new ideas to improve processes, tools and ways of working.
• Champion our culture and values in all interactions.
• Be flexible and willing to travel to project sites to build relationships and business understanding.

The Laing O'Rourke Graduate Development Programme - what can you expect? 

Our graduate programme is designed to embrace and develop your capabilities. Most importantly, you will be encouraged to continue learning throughout your career. You will be stretched, challenged and supported by a business that views your personal development and the achievement of professional accreditation as a priority.  
    
Our programme will give you the practical experience, technical learning and professional development while being part of the some of the most exciting construction and infrastructure projects in the UK. 

Our Application Process

We are committed to providing a clear and supportive recruitment journey. Here is what you can expect when applying for one of our graduate opportunities:

1. CV Submission
   Submit your CV for review. We will assess your application against the entry criteria for the role you are applying for.
2. Online Assessment
   You will complete a series of assessments designed to understand how you approach workplace situations, your preferred ways of working, as well as exercises to evaluate your critical thinking and numerical reasoning skills.
3. Video Interview
   At this stage, you will be invited to record responses to two questions set by our hiring team. You will have sufficient time to prepare and ensure you present yourself confidently.
4. Assessment Centre
   Our in-person assessment centres, held at a LOR office, provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your skills through a combination of individual tasks, short interviews, and group activities. This is also a chance to experience our culture first-hand.
5. Outcome
   We aim to provide feedback and communicate the outcome of your assessment centre within two weeks.

Entry requirements 

We are looking for graduates who meet the following criteria:  

• Studying a degree course with a clear route to professional accreditation
• Your degree classification should be 2:2 or higher
• Strong numeracy and literacy skills
• Flexibility as you may be required to work away  
• Eligible to work in the UK

Accessibility and Support
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all candidates. If you require any adjustments or support with your application, or at any stage of the process, please do not hesitate to contact us.

  **The Graduate Development Programme will commence in September 2026**