1209 - HR Case Manager - Employee Relations

Harwich International Port Limited; Felixstowe; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% employer pension

Life Assurance 14x salary

Annual profit share bonus

Job summary

Harwich International Port Limited in Felixstowe is seeking a HR Case Manager to support employee relations and frontline case management across disciplinary, grievance and absence matters.

You will work in a fast-paced, unionised environment, collaborate with management and occupational health, and help drive improvements in people management while following established policies and procedures. The role offers a starting salary around £48,000 plus potential incremental development-based pay.

Qualifications

• 4 years front line HR experience in a unionised environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of current employment legislation.
• Proven ability to deliver first class, technically correct, professional support under pressure and to strict deadlines.
• Knowledge and understanding of HR policies and procedures and collective agreements.
• Previous experience of using HR systems/databases.
• CIPD Qualified or equivalent degree.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of first line Case Management (e.g. Disciplinary, Grievance and Absence Management).
• Proactively manage absence across the business with stakeholders involved.
• Liaise with the occupational health provider to support decisions for staff at work or returning to work.
• Collaborate with management teams to improve people management and performance.
• Identify and suggest improvements for case management standards and results.
• Coordinate any restructuring with legal and policy compliance.

Skills

Front line HR experience

Employment legislation knowledge

Policy and procedures

HR systems experience

Education

CIPD qualification

University degree

Tools

HR databases

Job description

1209 - HR Case Manager - Employee Relations

Location Felixstowe

Division Human Resources

Competitive compensation with a starting salary of circa £48,000 with the opportunity to earn incremental payments in line with development framework

Advert Summary

HR Case Manager

The Role

Hutchison Ports – Port of Felixstowe is the UK’s largest deep water container port and a major gateway for global trade. As a HR Case Manager, you will support the Employee Relations Manager in the provision of a front-line, comprehensive case management service across a diverse range of case issues.

This role is an ideal opportunity to gain and develop extensive experience of working within a fast-paced, unionised environment with established policies and procedures to support the entire employee lifecycle.

Our Benefits – Rewarding the people who keep our port moving

We offer a strong, reliable benefits package designed to support your financial security, wellbeing and long term development:

Financial & Security

• Competitive pension: 8% employer contribution (min 4% employee)
• Life Assurance: 14× annual salary for pension scheme members (4× for non-members)
• Annual profit share bonus and performance related bonus

Health & Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential counselling, stress & anxiety support, financial wellbeing guidance, plus access to our Wellbeing Hub
• On site Occupational Health Team and wellbeing support

Time, Flexibility & Community

• Paid leave, enhanced sick pay terms, and family friendly policies
• Volunteering days supporting our local community
• Perkbox retail discounts, wellbeing content and savings across hundreds of brands

Growth & Development

• Access to development pathways, accredited training, and career progression opportunities across our port network

Key responsibilities

• Ownership of first line Case Management (for example, Disciplinary, Grievance and Absence Management) activity.
• Proactively manage absence, both long and short term, across the business ensuring all stakeholders are involved.
• Liaise with our occupational health provider to assist in decision making to support both those employees at work and those returning to work after long term absence, making decisions in conjunction with line management in respect of best approach.
• Work collaboratively with management teams to increase and improve the level of people management, supporting to manage individual performance where appropriate.
• Identify and suggest solutions for key areas in relation to the improvement of standards and results relating to all areas of case management (including but not limited to absence, disciplinary etc).
• Co-ordinate any restructuring process within the business units ensuring compliance to legal and policy requirements.
• Liaising with legal advisors and ACAS in support of ACAS Early Conciliation and Employment Tribunals where required.

What you need

• 4 years previous front line HR experience, in a unionised environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of current employment legislation.
• Proven ability to deliver first class, technically correct, professional support under pressure and to strict deadlines.
• Knowledge and understanding of HR policies and procedures and collective agreements
• Previous experience of using HR systems/databases.
• CIPD Qualified or equivalent degree
• Full driving licence, as will be required to drive round the Port site for meetings.

Shifts & Pay

• Basic salary: Competitive compensation with a starting salary of circa £48,000 with the opportunity to earn incremental payments in line with development framework
• Hours: 37.5hrs per week – Monday to Friday

Inclusion & Community

We are committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive. We celebrate individual differences and believe that embracing diversity drives innovation, creativity, and stronger collaboration across our teams.

As part of this commitment, we consider all qualified applicants and encourage open conversations about flexible working. We offer a supportive, community‑focused environment and are proud to hold Chartered Status from Women in Maritime.

We are also committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process to ensure all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed. While we may not always be able to accommodate every request, we will always do our best to understand individual needs and explore suitable adjustments. These may include:

• Providing application materials in alternative formats (e.g. large print or accessible documents)
• Giving additional time for assessments or interviews
• Sharing interview formats in advance where appropriate
• Providing interview questions in a clear, readable printed format for all candidates
• Where possible, offering virtual interviews as an alternative to in‑person attendance
• Adjusting interview environments (e.g. quiet rooms or reduced distractions)
• Allowing the use of assistive technology or support persons
• Providing clear communication and instructions throughout the process

Our dedicated Diversity & Inclusion committee supports a range of employee networks, including our Women’s Network, PRIDE, Early Careers, Veterans & Reserves, Disability, and Culture groups.

Hutchison Ports UK is able to sponsor skilled worker visas in cases where the role fits the requirements set out by the UK government. Please refer to the government website via this link to understand the requirements needed. In cases where a post-study visa is used initially, it may be the case that the skilled worker visa requirements will not be met once this visa has expired.

Hutchison Ports is committed to creating and developing an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants and encourage discussion about flexible working opportunities. We offer a supportive, community environment and have been awarded Chartered status by Women In Maritime. Our D&I committee oversees multiple employee networks including - Women’s Network, PRIDE, Early Careers, Veterans & Reserves, Disability and Culture.