This is an operationally embedded HR role with a strong focus on complex employee relations and industrial relations across the Port of Tilbury.

Working in a highly unionised, safety-critical environment, you will partner closely with managers to lead employee relations activity from initial assessment through to conclusion, balancing employment law, internal procedures and operational requirements to achieve fair, consistent and commercially sound outcomes.

You will also play a key role in building constructive relationships with recognised trade unions, supporting organisational change and using employee relations insight to strengthen manager capability and business performance.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead a high volume of complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, long-term absence, redundancy, restructuring and organisational change matters, from initial assessment to conclusion.
• Set case strategy, assess legal and operational risk, maintain momentum and ensure investigations, hearings and supporting documentation enable fair and legally compliant decisions.
• Interpret, develop and consistently apply HR policies and procedures, translating employment law and case developments into clear, practical guidance for managers.
• Coordinate quarterly union meetings across collectively bargained areas, including agendas, supporting information, decisions and follow-up actions.
• Support collective bargaining and negotiation activity by providing workforce data, ER insight, cost information and operational context, and lead Stage 1 of the agreed process.
• Build credible, constructive relationships with trade union representatives and ensure appropriate consultation on change, redundancy, redeployment and matters covered by collective agreements.
• Lead performance and health-related capability cases, working with managers and Occupational Health on improvement plans, reasonable adjustments, phased returns, restricted duties and redeployment.
• Support organisational change activity by preparing robust business cases and communications and ensuring fair, meaningful consultation.
• Support the delivery of HR-related projects, coordinating agreed actions and working with relevant stakeholders to achieve project objectives and timescales.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects across the People function by gathering information, maintaining project documentation and supporting the implementation of agreed changes.
• Use case data and trends to identify recurring risks, recommend targeted interventions and improve manager capability, consistency and business performance.
• Support the delivery and follow-up of employee engagement surveys and engagement meetings, helping managers develop, track and communicate actions arising from employee feedback.
• Maintain accurate contracts, correspondence, approvals, payroll changes, HR systems and audit trails, working closely with Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development and Occupational Health to deliver joined-up people support.

What we're looking for:

We are looking for a confident, pragmatic and highly experienced employee relations specialist who can operate credibly in a complex, fast paced and highly unionised environment. You will be comfortable taking ownership of sensitive and high-risk cases, constructively challenging managers and building effective working relationships with trade union representatives and senior stakeholders. Strong judgement, discretion, resilience and the ability to balance legal risk with operational realities are essential. This is a fully onsite role, five days per week, so you must live within a reasonable commutable distance of the Port of Tilbury and be able to attend the site consistently.

Skills & Qualifications:

• CIPD qualified, or able to demonstrate significant equivalent experience in a complex HR generalist and employee relations role.
• Extensive experience independently managing a high volume of complex employee relations casework in a large, fast-paced, operational and unionised environment.
• Proven expertise across disciplinary, grievance, capability, long-term absence, organisational change, consultation, redundancy and restructuring matters.
• Comprehensive and current knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations best practice, with the ability to apply legal principles pragmatically in complex workplace situations.
• Substantial experience in a unionised setting, including consultation, trade union relationship management, collective bargaining support and positive industrial relations.
• Demonstrable experience advising, coaching, influencing and constructively challenging managers at all levels on complex, high-risk ER matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with sound judgement and the discretion to handle sensitive and confidential matters professionally.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills, with the ability to assess risk, interpret people data, identify trends and manage competing priorities to deadline.
• Good working knowledge of HRIS/payroll systems and Microsoft Office, together with a proactive continuous-improvement mindset.
• Flexibility to work outside normal office hours from time to time to accommodate shift patterns across the Port.
• Full driving licence, valid in the UK.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to our Scottish sites to provide support when required.
• Full UK working rights.

What Forth Ports can offer you

At Forth Ports, our people are our priority, and we are committed to creating a flexible, open, and supportive working culture. As part of our team, you will enjoy

• A competitive salary
• Discretionary bonus
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 16.5% joint contribution plus life assurance at 4x salary
• Inhouse Occupational Health — Provides professional workplace health advice, support, and guidance for employees across all sites
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — Delivered through Health Assured, offering 24/7, 365day confidential wellbeing support via the Wisdom app or telephone access, covering mental health, financial advice, legal guidance, and emotional wellbeing
• Physiotherapy Support — Access to physiotherapy sessions through three external providers in Scotland, plus an onsite physiotherapist once per week in Tilbury
• An annual Christmas thank you gift of a complimentary turkey or meat-free alternative for all employees
• GymFlex health club memberships offering discounted access to gyms including Nuffield Health, PureGym, Anytime Fitness, The Gym Group, and selected local gyms
• Cycle to Work scheme to support affordable, sustainable commuting
• On-site free parking available for all employees
• Attractive family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity cover
• Employee discount platform providing savings on UK-wide restaurants, retail, car rentals, days out, and holidays

We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service.

We welcome applications from veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and military spouses/partners, and we actively support flexible and inclusive recruitment practices.

&nsp;How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a cover letter when submitting your application via this link.