HR Director

SubSea Craft Limited; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative maritime technology company in Portsmouth is seeking an experienced HR Director to develop and execute strategic HR initiatives. You will lead all HR functions, driving talent acquisition and ensuring compliance with UK employment laws. Ideal candidates will have a CIPD Level 7 qualification and experience in the maritime or engineering sectors. The role offers a supportive work culture focused on employee wellbeing, ongoing professional development, and flexibility.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

Private Healthcare

Life Assurance (4x salary)

Enhanced family leave

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in maritime, engineering, or innovation-driven sectors.
• Proven experience as an HR Director or senior HR leader.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with corporate vision.
• Oversee talent acquisition and employee performance management.
• Ensure HR policies comply with local employment laws and best practices.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Analytical skills

Excellent communication

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent

Tools

HR technology systems

Job description

The HR Director will develop and execute strategic HR initiatives aligned with the business goals on a multi regional scale globally. The role is responsible for leading the full spectrum of HR functions, shaping the employee experience, driving talent acquisition and retention, and ensuring compliance with UK employment laws. The HR Director will serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership, promoting a culture of innovation, engagement, and performance excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement HR strategies, policies, and programs aligned with the business unit's objectives and overall corporate vision.
• Collaborate with senior management to understand business needs and provide HR solutions that drive organisational performance, innovation, and employee engagement.
• Provide expert HR advice to the executive team on workforce planning, talent management, and organisational design.
• Oversee the full range of HR functions, including talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, learning and development, compensation and benefits, and HR compliance.
• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices comply with local employment law and best practices across a number of regions globally.
• Monitor and analyse HR metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improving workforce performance and engagement.
• Lead talent acquisition strategies to attract, hire, and retain top talent within the maritime and engineering sectors.
• Drive performance management processes, including goal setting, performance evaluations, and career development planning.
• Develop and deliver HR training programs, enhancing the capabilities of managers and employees.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performance work environment.
• Oversee employee relations issues, being a point of escalation for conflict resolution.
• Champion employee engagement initiatives and internal communication strategies.
• Lead and mentor the Head of HR and team, ensuring consistent application of HR policies and professional development.
• Maintain and optimise HR technology platforms, including HRIS, ensuring accurate and efficient data management.
• Build relationships with external HR vendors, consultants, and professional networks to leverage expertise and resources relevant to UK operations.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent.
• Experience in the maritime, engineering, or innovation-driven sectors.
• Understanding of technical or engineering roles and workforce challenges within innovative manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience as an HR Director or senior HR leader, preferably within engineering, maritime, or technology-driven industries.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, HR policies, and best practices across different regions globally is desirable.
• Experience in leading talent acquisition, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives at a strategic level.
• Track record of building and developing high-performing HR teams.
• Experience of managing visa, work permit and immigration processes, ensuring compliance with local immigration laws and global mobility policies.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinking with the ability to align HR initiatives with business objectives.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret HR metrics and drive improvement.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build credibility across all levels of the organisation.
• Proficiency in HR technology systems and data management.

Security & Clearance

Due to the nature of work undertaken at SubSea Craft, the selected candidate must be capable of meeting the security requirements of the position, which would include as a minimum existing right to live and work in the UK, Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), with UK National security clearance required for certain roles.

Values & Expectations

• Our people are our greatest asset, we continually strive to provide an excellent working environment to enable our team to do their best work. We have an agile professional workforce: we are founded on the belief that our people are valued and our business is trusted, inclusive and commercially-adept.
• Teamwork, mutual respect and collaboration.
• Initiative and independent working.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Business and commercial awareness.
• Agility, adaptability and continuous development.

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone can thrive. If you require any support or adjustments to interact with us, please let us know.

Who we are

SubSea Craft is a fast growing, privately-funded, UK-based innovative maritime technology company specialising in next-generation, high-performance watercraft and systems. We operate at the intersection of advanced engineering, cutting-edge design, and user-centric innovation, delivering safe, effective, and enabling solutions for both commercial and defence applications.

Benefits

• Annual Leave - Entitlement to 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Wellbeing Day - An additional Wellbeing Day each year to focus on personal health and wellbeing.
• Private Healthcare - Access to comprehensive private healthcare coverage to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Life Assurance and Critical Illness Cover - Comprehensive protection including Life Assurance (4x salary) and Critical Illness Cover for added financial security.
• Family Leave - Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Christmas Leave - A Christmas shutdown is typically observed.
• Professional Development - Commitment to ongoing learning and career growth, supported by training programmes and access to LinkedIn Learning.
• Pension Contribution - pension scheme with the option to contribute via salary sacrifice.
• Flexible Working - Opportunities for flexible working arrangements to promote work‑life balance.
• Inclusive Culture - A professional environment that values diversity, innovation, and collaboration.