Careers with us
Join a team that’s investing in people, technology and the future.
Deputy Head of Human Resources
As Deputy Head of Human Resources, you will lead the delivery of the HR service for the Port of Tilbury — London’s main port and a key part of Forth Ports’ national operations. Working closely with the Head of HR, and in collaboration with our Learning & Development and Talent Acquisition teams, you will help shape and implement HR strategies that support our five-year business plan and organisational goals.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Collaboration
Support the Head of HR in designing and delivering HR strategies aligned to the company’s business plan and market goals.
Lead and coach the HR team, building capability and fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability and service excellence.
Partner with senior leadership and Asset Managers to address organisational and people challenges with pragmatic, compliant and business-focused solutions.
Build trust and influence across the business so HR is recognised as a proactive, solutions-driven partner.
Organisational Development & Resource Planning
Embed Talent and Succession Planning into all resourcing decisions, working closely with Asset teams to meet their five-year plan objectives.
Collaborate with L&D to support performance management and development cycles.
Oversee resourcing activity, including vacancy approvals, benchmarking and recruitment planning, ensuring competitiveness in the market.
Lead the implementation of organisational or structural changes, including redundancy and consultation processes, in line with policy and legislation.
Employee Relations & Engagement
Oversee the HR Advisors in managing employee relations cases, ensuring consistency, compliance and timely resolution.
Provide expert advice on complex or sensitive issues, including disciplinary, grievance and capability matters.
Build and maintain effective relationships with Union representatives (Unite), supporting collective bargaining, consultation and pay negotiations.
Coach and support managers to build confidence and capability in people management, ensuring compliance with policy and employment law.
Lead pay and reward processes for both collectively and non-collectively bargained employees.
Employee Wellbeing & Occupational Health
Champion a proactive, people-focused approach to wellbeing across the Port of Tilbury.
Work closely with Occupational Health to manage absence, medical referrals and return-to-work processes.
Develop metrics to monitor absence and wellbeing, ensuring every case is managed effectively and sensitively.
Support the HR Advisors in managing complex medical or incapacity cases, case management meetings and ill-health retirements.
HR Systems, Policy & Reporting
Support the development and implementation of HR policies and operating procedures, ensuring they reflect current legislation and best practice.
Produce regular HR metrics and analytical reports to inform decision-making and track performance.
Implement performance measures and KPIs to assess HR service delivery (e.g., absence, employee relations case management, turnaround times).
Contribute to HR system enhancements and continuous improvement initiatives.
Health, Safety & Environment
Safety is a core value at Forth Ports and fundamental to our success.
Role model our Work Safe, Home Safe, Every Day philosophy.
Demonstrate visible safety leadership and promote Forth Ports’ 1 Team, 1 Goal culture.
Contribute to our strategic vision to deliver net zero by 2042 through responsible leadership and collaboration.
About You
You will be an experienced and credible HR professional with strong generalist experience and the ability to influence at a senior level. You combine strategic thinking with practical delivery and are comfortable managing complex employee relations in a unionised environment.
You’ll bring:
Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
Proven leadership and people development skills
Experience in organisational change and stakeholder management
A collaborative, forward-looking approach that aligns with Forth Ports’ values of safety, teamwork and continuous improvement
HR Advisor
As an HR Advisor at Forth Ports, you’ll play a key role in supporting our people and business across a broad range of HR activities. You’ll work collaboratively with the wider HR team to deliver a consistent, professional and “one team” approach, providing practical, compliant advice and partnering closely with Asset teams and line managers.
Key Responsibilities
Partner with HR colleagues to share good practice, learning and project work across all assets.
Provide clear, legally compliant advice to managers and employees on company policies, employment law, salary, bonus and contract matters.
Support disciplinary, grievance, capability and conduct investigations, ensuring accurate documentation and adherence to policy.
Assist with organisational and structural changes, preparing business cases, managing consultations and liaising with union representatives where collective bargaining applies.
Support redundancy and redeployment processes in line with policy.
Prepare for and participate in collective bargaining and quarterly union meetings.
Keep up to date with employment legislation and support the review and implementation of HR policies.
Conduct salary benchmarking and support salary and benefits administration.
Partner with the Talent Acquisition team to coordinate recruitment approvals, job documentation, offers, and onboarding.
Ensure all HR administration, including contracts, payroll changes and probation reviews, is accurate and compliant.
Analyse HR and absence data using iTrent and Business Objects to identify trends and support decision-making.
Work with Occupational Health and Asset teams to manage absence, medical referrals, and return-to-work plans, supporting employee wellbeing and capability processes.
Participate in HR projects and contribute to system enhancements and process improvement initiatives.
About You
You’ll be a confident HR professional with sound knowledge of UK employment law, strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset. You take a proactive, solutions-focused approach, thrive in a fast-paced environment and are comfortable managing multiple priorities. Experience in unionised environments and with HRIS systems (e.g., iTrent) would be an advantage.
Who we are
Forth Ports is one of the UK’s leading port groups — a business built on connection, investment and long-term growth.
Since our establishment in 1967, we’ve grown from a regional port authority into the UK’s third largest port operator, managing eight ports across Scotland and England. Together, these ports handle around 31 million tonnes of cargo and contribute £950 million in economic value to the UK economy.
We play a vital role in keeping the country supplied and industries moving — from food, fuel and construction materials to renewable energy components that power communities across the nation.
Our ports are home to major manufacturing and distribution hubs that support agriculture, energy, construction, and other key sectors. Every movement through our ports helps the UK trade, grow and thrive.
Our purpose
At Forth Ports, we do much more than move cargo. We’re intrinsically connected to the success of the communities and economies in which we operate. The commodities we handle help feed, build, power and connect people — at home and abroad.
Our purpose is simple but powerful: To invest in people, infrastructure and innovation to keep the UK trading efficiently, sustainably and securely.
Our people
With over 1,300 employees, our people are at the heart of our success.
They are engineers, operators, marine professionals and specialists — each contributing their skills, experience and commitment to keeping trade flowing safely and efficiently.
We’re proud of the long-term careers built here. Many colleagues have progressed from apprenticeships to senior leadership through dedication and the support of our award-winning in-port training academies.
From our ports in Scotland to Tilbury on the Thames, we share a culture built on:
- Safety and integrity
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Continuous investment in learning and performance
- Adaptability and pride in delivering for our customers
Sustainability & the Environment
We take our environmental and community responsibilities seriously. Forth Ports is committed to sustainable development, minimising environmental impact while supporting the UK and Scottish Governments’ goals to reduce emissions and combat climate change.
We operate to internationally recognised standards, including ISO14001 for environmental management and ISO50001 for energy efficiency. Our ports are located near important conservation sites, and we meet our statutory duties for navigation safety and emergency preparedness.
We also play an active role in industry bodies, including the UK Major Ports Group, the British Ports Association, and the Scottish Ports Environment Group, helping to shape the future of sustainable port operations.