Senior HR & Employee Relations Advisor (Port ER)

Forth Ports Group; Tilbury; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Discretionary bonus

Generous annual leave entitlement

Defined contribution pension with up 4

In-house Occupational Health

Employee Assistance Programme

Physiotherapy support

Annual Christmas turkey gift

GymFlex memberships

Cycle to work

On-site free parking

Family-friendly policies

Employee discount platform

Job summary

Forth Ports Group is seeking an experienced HR Advisor to manage complex employee relations within the Port of Tilbury. You will partner with managers, balance employment law with operational needs, and work closely with trade unions to deliver fair outcomes.

This onsite role requires strong ER expertise, ability to handle sensitive cases, and a proactive approach to improve manager capability and business performance.

Qualifications

• CIPD qualified or 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.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations best practice.
• Substantial experience in a unionised setting with collective bargaining support.
• Experience advising and coaching managers on complex, high-risk ER matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with discretion for confidential matters.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisation skills to interpret data and manage priorities.
• Working knowledge of HRIS/payroll systems and MS Office; proactive improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high volume of complex ER cases (disciplinary, grievance, capability, long-term absence, redundancy, restructuring).
• Set case strategy, assess risk, and ensure investigations and hearings support legally compliant decisions.
• Interpret and apply HR policies; translate employment law into practical guidance for managers.
• Coordinate quarterly union meetings and support collective bargaining with data and context.
• Lead Stage 1 of agreed change processes and support negotiations with unions.
• Build constructive relationships with trade union reps and ensure consultation on change and redeployment.
• Manage health-related capability cases with Occupational Health for reasonable adjustments and returns.
• Support organisational change with robust business cases and clear communications.
• Contribute to HR projects and track actions with stakeholders.

Skills

CIPD qualified

ER casework

UK employment law

Unionised environment

Coaching managers

Communication skills

Analytical skills

HRIS/payroll knowledge

Flexible after-hours

UK working rights

Job description

Forth Ports Group is seeking an experienced HR Advisor to manage complex employee relations within the Port of Tilbury. You will partner with managers, balance employment law with operational needs, and work closely with trade unions to deliver fair outcomes.

This onsite role requires strong ER expertise, ability to handle sensitive cases, and a proactive approach to improve manager capability and business performance.