Job Description
HR Advisor - Port of Tilbury
Every operation has a heartbeat.
At the Port of Tilbury, it's the people.
Behind every vessel docking, every container moved and every project breaking ground, there's a workforce keeping one of the UK's most important logistics hubs running. And right now, that workforce is growing - with a refreshed HR team at the centre of what comes next.
Denholm Associates are delighted to be retained by Forth Ports to appoint a proactive, relationship-driven HR Advisor who wants more than a traditional advisory role. If you're looking for visibility, influence and genuine impact, you'll find it here.
Why this role matters
Tilbury isn't just busy - it's evolving. With ambitious investment, digital transformation and a clear path towards net zero by 2042, the port is moving fast. HR is playing a bigger, more strategic role, and this is your chance to help shape that journey rather than simply keep up with it.
You'll support around 700 colleagues across multiple business units in a hands-on, operational environment where decisions happen quickly and no two days look the same. This isn't a back-office job - you'll be out in the business, trusted and visible.
What you'll be doing
Your week could involve:
* Guiding managers through ER cases with confidence and clarity
* Working closely with trade unions, including collective bargaining and annual pay negotiations
* Supporting consultation, redundancy and wider change activity
* Coaching leaders to build capability and improve how they engage their teams
* Reviewing and modernising policies, processes and ways of working
* Using HR data and systems to spot themes, inform decisions and strengthen the people agenda
* Getting involved in projects linked to growth, colleague experience and operational improvement
It's varied, fast-paced and full of opportunities to put your stamp on things.
What you'll bring
You'll already have solid experience in an HR Advisor or Generalist role within a complex, operational or industrial setting, along with strong ER/IR exposure and confidence working in a unionised environment.
You'll also bring:
* A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
* The ability to build trust quickly at every level
* Curiosity to understand how the operation works day-to-day
* Confidence to influence and challenge constructively
* A collaborative, hands-on style
* CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent experience)
A full-time on-site presence in Tilbury is essential, as the real work takes place here, not from a laptop miles away.
What's in it for you
You won't just be joining a business - you'll be joining it at the perfect moment.
The operation is growing. Investment is high. Leaders are open to fresh ideas. HR is becoming more proactive, more connected and more influential.
You'll have:
* The space to shape how things are done
* The support to grow professionally
* A team that genuinely works together
* A visible role where your impact won't go unnoticed
If you're an experienced HR Advisor who wants to feel the difference your work makes every single day, this is a brilliant next step - and a chance to be part of the future of UK trade and logistics.
Ready to get involved? Let's talk.