HR Manager

Dales Marine Services; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A maritime services company based in Scotland seeks an experienced HR Manager who will lead HR functions across multiple sites. This role involves developing HR strategies, ensuring compliance with UK laws, and promoting a positive workplace culture. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in senior HR roles, knowledge of employment law, and strong leadership skills. Benefits include a car allowance, health insurance, and 34 days of holiday annually.

Benefits

Car allowance

Private medical insurance

Company pension

Life assurance

Income protection

Gym discount

Cycle to work scheme

Free on-site parking

34 days holiday per year

Qualifications

• Proven track record in senior HR roles within operationally complex businesses.
• In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and HR policy.
• Experience supporting industrial workforces within related sectors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute HR strategies aligning with business objectives.
• Act as an advisor on all people-related matters.
• Ensure compliance with UK employment legislation and internal policies.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Influencing

Data-driven decision making

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualification

Degree in Human Resources Management or related discipline

Tools

HR systems

Job description

Role Summary

The HR Manager will lead the Human Resources function across Dales Marine Services Group, a £60M revenue business operating across five sites in Scotland with a workforce of approximately 250 employees. As a key member of the senior management team, the HR Manager will play a strategic role in enabling the company’s growth ambitions, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, and cultivating a high-performance, inclusive, and values-driven culture.

This role requires a commercially astute HR leader with a strong operational understanding and the ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders across a geographically dispersed organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic HR Leadership : Develop and execute HR strategies that align with the company’s business objectives and long-term growth plans.
• Executive Advisory : Act as a trusted advisor to the leadership team on all people-related matters, including workforce planning, organisational design, and change management.
• Compliance & Governance : Ensure full compliance with UK employment legislation, industry-specific regulations, and internal policies, including ISO and HSE standards.
• Employee Relations & Culture : Lead employee relations initiatives, fostering a positive and respectful workplace culture that supports engagement, retention, and performance.
• Talent Acquisition, Early Careers & Social Value : Oversee end‑to‑end recruitment, onboarding, and early careers programs (including apprenticeships), ensuring the attraction and development of high‑calibre talent.
• Champion initiatives aligned with social value commitments by engaging with local colleges, schools, and underrepresented groups to create meaningful pathways into the business.
• Performance & Succession : Drive performance management processes and succession planning to build leadership capability and operational resilience.
• Learning & Development : Champion continuous learning and leadership development across all levels of the organisation, with a focus on operational excellence and safety.
• Manage and deliver HR‑related projects, driving improvements across key areas such as employee engagement, process development, and system enhancements.
• People Analytics : Monitor, analyse, and report on key HR metrics to inform strategic decision‑making and drive continuous improvement.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion : Lead initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across all sites, embedding these principles into the company’s culture and practices.
• Health & Safety Collaboration : Work closely with H&S teams to support a safety‑first culture, ensuring HR policies and practices reinforce site safety, well‑being, and statutory compliance.
• Multi‑Site Support : Provide proactive HR support to site‑based teams, ensuring consistency and alignment across all locations.

Candidate Profile

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven track record in senior HR roles within medium‑sized, operationally complex businesses.
• In‑depth knowledge of UK employment law, HR policy, and best practice.
• Experience supporting site‑based or industrial workforces, ideally within engineering, maritime, or related sectors.
• Strong leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels.
• Demonstrated success in leading HR initiatives during periods of organisational change or growth.
• Proficiency in HR systems and data‑driven decision‑making.
• CIPD Level 7 qualified, with a degree in Human Resources Management or a related discipline.

Organisational Context

The HR Manager is a key member of the senior management team and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The role manages a HR Advisor based in Aberdeen and collaborates closely with operational leaders across all sites. The HR function is central to enabling business performance, ensuring compliance, and shaping a resilient and engaged workforce.

Location & Travel

This role is based in the Central Belt of Scotland, with flexibility for candidates located in Aberdeen. Regular travel to all operational sites is required.

The following benefits will be provided as part of the package :

• Car allowance
• Private Medical with additional dental and optical benefits
• Company pension
• Company life assurance
• Company Income Protection
• Gym discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free on‑site parking
• 34 days holiday per year with 5 allocated over Christmas and New Year
• Relocation package if required