Human Resources People Manager (Maternity Cover)

Tempest; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent maritime photography firm is seeking a Human Resources People Manager to handle maternity cover in Southampton. The role involves managing the team’s recruitment, supporting crew wellbeing, and ensuring an effective people operation across diverse individuals onboard. Ideal candidates should have solid HR experience and strong communication skills. Occasional travel to ships required, contributing to a positive onboard culture. Offers competitive salary and excellent benefits with flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

26 days holiday (pro rata)

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible work schedule

Fully equipped home-working setup

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Solid people management or HR experience is essential.
• Strong communication skills and sound judgement are required.
• A calm, practical, and solutions-focused approach is critical.

Responsibilities

• Managing recruitment processes including onboarding.
• Planning crew rotations across the fleet.
• Acting as primary liaison with employment partner on people issues.
• Providing guidance on performance management and wellbeing.

Skills

People management or HR experience

Strong communication skills

Solutions-focused approach

Calm and practical demeanor

Job description

Human Resources People Manager (Maternity Cover)

Location: Home-based with access to Southampton for regular ship visits. UK Driver's License and own transport preferred.
Salary: Competitive, DOE + Excellent Benefits!
Contract: Fixed Term Contract, 10 Months
Start Date: March 2026
Benefits: 26 days holiday (pro rata) + bank holidays, Time back in lieu, Employee Assistance Programme, Fully equipped home-working setup provided, Auto-enrolment pension scheme, Flexible work schedule to support your productivity and well-being, A people-focused team culture that values growth and collaboration and Performance is celebrated, successes are acknowledged, and exceptional results are rewarded!

Who We Are

Tempest Travel Photography (TTP) is the cruise photography division of H Tempest Ltd, delivering photographic services across P&O Cruises and Cunard. We operate across a fleet of globally mobile ships, supporting large, diverse onboard teams and working closely with Carnival UK as our client.

We are looking for an experienced, people-focused People Manager to cover maternity leave for a period of 10 months, with the potential to extend to 12 months.

This is a varied and engaging role, sitting at the heart of a people-led operation and working with teams from all over the world.

The Role - Human Resources People Manager

Reporting to the Business Manager, the People Manager is responsible for the day-to-day people operation across our onboard photography teams.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people as individuals. Our onboard team of around 100, spans more than 25 nationalities, making this a genuinely varied and human role rather than a purely policy-driven HR position.

While the role carries clear accountability, you will not be working in isolation.

We work in close partnership with a specialist maritime crew recruitment and employment partner, who provide formal support around contracts, visas, payroll and compliance. Your role is to coordinate, oversee and support the people journey, ensuring the right people are in the right place, happy, well supported and performing effectively.

Responsibilities

• Managing the recruitment process including interviews and selection, through to onboarding
• Planning and coordinating crew rotations across the fleet
• Acting as the primary liaison with our employment partner on people-related matters,
• including checks and billing approvals
• Supporting onboard managers with performance management, PIPs and disciplinary
• processes
• Providing guidance and support to managers and crew on people and wellbeing matters
• Maintaining and developing onboard job descriptions and people processes
• Working closely with our Sales Manager on in-role people development, crew movements and
• succession planning
• Visiting ships in port to provide visible, practical people support
• Promoting fair treatment, wellbeing and a positive onboard culture

What We're Looking For

• Solid people management or HR experience
• Confidence dealing with performance, wellbeing and conduct matters
• Strong communication skills and sound judgement
• A calm, practical and solutions-focused approach
• Willingness to travel to visit ships in port and work occasional weekends. Time in lieu is always provided to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Desirable experience

• Cruise, maritime or rotational workforce experience
• Crew planning or scheduling exposure
• Generalist HR or people operations background

Location and working pattern: The role is Southampton based and applicants must live within an easy commuting distance.

Occasional weekend work is required, with time returned in lieu.

This is a maternity cover role, but it carries real responsibility, visibility and impact. For the right person, it offers the chance to step into a complex, international people operation, make a genuine difference to crew experience, and be part of a supportive, ambitious team.

If you feel you have the necessary skills and experience to be successful in this role, please email your CV and covering letter to [e-mail]

No agencies please.