Vacancies

HR Manager

Devon, United Kingdom

Department / Team: Central Services

Employment Type: Full-time

Minimum Experience: Senior, Experienced

 

 

About

For over three decades, TMS has been a trusted leader in the civils marine industry, delivering essential services and infrastructure that protect and empower coastal and flood-prone communities across the UK.

From marine construction and commercial diving to flood defences, emergency repairs, and piling, we have honed exceptional expertise across the sector. Our team’s dedication and innovation enable us to tackle challenges of every scale with confidence and precision.

In the past ten years, TMS has experienced remarkable, sustainable growth, positioning us to successfully deliver multi-million-pound projects while exceeding client expectations. At the heart of everything we do is a steadfast commitment to our customers. Our ethos is simple: place our customers first and complete every project with excellence, integrity, and a relentless focus on satisfaction.

Join us as we continue to build a stronger, safer future for our communities and the marine industry.

 

Role Summary

The HR Manager plays a central role in shaping a positive and people-centred culture at TMS. Responsible for the full spectrum of HR systems and practices, this role ensures smooth and supportive employee experiences—from onboarding and development to performance and wellbeing. The HR Manager partners with leaders and team members to foster a workplace where everyone feels valued, engaged, and empowered to grow. This role also ensures that our people practices align with the company’s strategic direction and comply with all relevant UK employment legislation and standards.

 

Key Responsibilities:

HR Systems and Compliance

• Develop and implement clear, people-friendly HR policies and procedures that support both compliance and our values.
• Maintain accurate and confidential HR records and reporting systems, ensuring our data supports decision-making.
• Oversee the implementation and optimisation of HR software and digital tools that make life easier for employees and managers.
• Ensure TMS adheres to all employment legislation and standards, including health and safety, data protection, and GDPR.
• Carry out regular reviews and audits of HR processes to support ongoing improvement.
• Administer employee benefits such as health insurance and life cover, ensuring all records are accurate and up to date.
• Collaborate with managers and the training team to help identify learning needs and align development opportunities across the business.
• Provide HR support tailored to site-based teams, ensuring consistency in engagement, conduct, and support across both site and office environments.
• Conduct regular site visits to maintain visibility, build relationships, and proactively address people-related matters.

 

Employee Onboarding and Offboarding

• Create welcoming, well-structured onboarding experiences that help new team members feel supported from day one.
• Manage employment documentation, orientation materials, and early-stage check-ins to ensure a smooth start.
• Support respectful, well-handled offboarding processes including exit interviews to capture feedback and insights for improvement.
• Keep onboarding content aligned with company culture, values, and evolving needs.

 

Training and Development

• Design and manage learning and development programmes that help individuals thrive and meet business needs.
• Work closely with managers to identify upskilling opportunities and future talent development pathways.
• Support the creation of leadership development and career growth frameworks.
• Oversee the training budget and manage relationships with external providers.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of training initiatives and make continuous improvements.

 

Performance Management

• Lead the performance review process, ensuring it’s fair, meaningful, and development-focused.
• Support managers in giving constructive feedback and setting goals that help individuals grow.
• Coordinate performance improvement plans where needed, always with empathy and clarity.
• Promote a culture of recognition and accountability that celebrates success and addresses challenges early.
• Use data and insights to support continuous improvement in performance systems.

 

Subcontractor Workforce and Compliance

• Oversee systems for ensuring subcontractor compliance with TMS values, site standards, and legal obligations (e.g. Right to Work, CSCS cards, insurance cover).
• Work with Quantity Surveyors and operations teams to implement consistent onboarding and monitoring processes for subcontracted personnel.

 

Recruitment and Talent Acquisition

• Develop and lead recruitment strategies that attract great people who align with TMS’s values and ambitions.
• Manage the full hiring lifecycle from job posting to interviews, offers, and onboarding.
• Build strong relationships with agencies, educational institutions, and community partners to broaden talent pipelines.
• Support employer branding efforts to showcase TMS as a supportive, inclusive, and inspiring place to work.
• Champion inclusive recruitment practices that promote fairness and equal opportunity.

 

Employee Relations and Wellbeing

• Serve as a trusted point of contact for employees, offering guidance, support, and resolution when challenges arise.
• Develop initiatives that enhance team morale, engagement, and connection across the business.
• Lead on wellbeing efforts, including mental health support and work-life balance strategies.
• Manage conflict resolution processes with fairness, empathy, and clarity, working to ensure timely and effective outcomes.
• Administer and oversee disciplinary procedures, including verbal and written warnings, in line with TMS’s policies and employment law.
• Ensure all investigations, disciplinary actions, and grievance procedures are conducted consistently, respectfully, and with full documentation in a timely manner..
• Oversee the company’s Drugs & Alcohol policy, including the results of testing where required (e.g., pre-employment, random, or incident-related) and manage the appropriate course of action following test results, ensuring legal compliance and fairness in disciplinary or remedial processes.
• Promote a culture of openness, accountability, and zero tolerance for behaviour that compromises safety, wellbeing, or professionalism.
• Support managers in confidently addressing sensitive issues, providing training or coaching as necessary.
• Lead the resolution of employee disputes, grievances, and disciplinary matters with fairness, professionalism, and compliance with UK employment law. Ensure thorough documentation, impartial investigations, and timely communication throughout all formal processes.

 

 

Strategic HR Planning

• Partner with leadership to align HR strategies with business goals and workforce planning.
• Monitor trends and changes in the wider world of work, bringing new ideas and practices into TMS.
• Provide insights and recommendations that help shape a resilient, adaptable, and future-ready organisation.
• Collaborate with project managers and operations leads to forecast workforce requirements for upcoming projects, including short-term labour demands and long-term capability planning.

 

Line Management

• Line manage HR team members and/or Administrators, offering guidance, mentoring, and support for their development and success.

 

Key Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CIPD accreditation (Level 5 or above) or equivalent is preferred.
• Proven experience in HR management, including recruitment, employee relations, and learning and development.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – with the ability to connect with people at all levels.
• Confident and demonstrable experience in managing and developing a team.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and responsive under pressure.
• Proficiency in HR systems and tools (e.g., HRIS platforms, Microsoft Office).
• Integrity, discretion, and emotional intelligence in handling sensitive matters.

 

Additional Information

• This role involves regular engagement with teams across multiple sites and will require travel within the UK.
• Flexibility and a people-first mindset are essential.

 

Remuneration

Salary £55-65k per annum

25 days hols plus UK bank holidays

Pension

Life Insurance

 

Applications

Please send your CV and Cover Letter to Roger Full, Commercial Director:

Roger.Full@tmsmaritime.co.uk

 

 

 

TMS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion.