HR Director

SubSea Craft Limited; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading maritime technology company is seeking an HR Director responsible for strategic HR leadership and implementing initiatives that align with business goals. This role involves overseeing talent acquisition, performance management, and ensuring compliance with UK employment laws. The ideal candidate will have a CIPD Level 7 qualification and extensive experience in technology-driven sectors. The position offers competitive compensation, focusing on collaborative and inclusive culture, with flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

Additional Wellbeing Day

Comprehensive private healthcare coverage

Life Assurance and Critical Illness Cover

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

Pension scheme with salary sacrifice option

Professional development programs

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in the maritime, engineering, or innovation-driven sectors is necessary.
• Proven experience as an HR Director or senior HR leader is essential, preferably within technology-driven industries.
• Strong knowledge of employment law is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop HR strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead talent acquisition to attract top talent.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership and coaching

Problem-solving

Communication skills

HR technology proficiency

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent

Job description

Job Details

• Salary: Up to £120,000 DOE
• Full Time
• Permanent

Who we are

SubSea Craft is a fast‑growing, privately‑funded, UK‑based innovative maritime technology company specialising in next‑generation, high‑performance watercraft and systems. We operate at the intersection of advanced engineering, cutting‑edge design, and user‑centric innovation, delivering safe, effective, and enabling solutions for both commercial and defence applications.

What We Offer

• Annual Leave Entitlement to 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Wellbeing Day – An additional Wellbeing Day each year to focus on personal health and wellbeing
• Private Healthcare – Comprehensive private healthcare coverage to support your physical white mental wellbeing
• Life Assurance and Critical Illness Cover – Comprehensive protection including Life Assurance (4x salary) and Critical Illness Cover for added financial security
• Family Leave – Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Christmas Leave – A Christmas shutdown is typically observed
• Professional Development – Commitment to ongoing learning and career growth, supported by training programmes and access to LinkedIn Learning
• Pension Contribution – Pension scheme with the option to contribute via salary sacrifice
• Flexible Working Opportunities – Flexible working arrangements to promote work‑life balance

Inclusive Culture

A professional environment that values diversity, innovation, and collaboration.

The HR Director will develop and execute strategic HR initiatives aligned with the business goals on a multi‑regional scale globally. The role is responsible for leading the full spectrum of HR functions, shaping the employee experience, driving talent acquisition and retention, and fclose compliance with UK employment laws. The HR Director will serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership, promoting a culture of innovation, engagement, and performance excellence.

Strategic HR Leadership

• Develop and implement HR strategies, policies, and programs aligned with the business units objectives and overall corporate vision
• Collaborate with senior management to understand business needs and provide HR solutions that drive organisational performance, innovation, and employee engagement
• Provide expert HR advice to the executive team on workforce planning, talent management, and organisational design

HR Operations & Governance

• Oversee the full range of HR functions, including talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, learning and development, compensation and benefits, and HR compliance
• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices comply with local employment law and best practices across a number of regions globally
• Monitor and analyse HR metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improving workforce performance and engagement

Talent Acquisition & Development

• Lead talent acquisition strategies to attract, hire, and retain top talent within the maritime and engineering sectors
• Drive performance managementorme processes, including goal setting, performance evaluations, and career development planning
• Develop and deliver HR training programs, enhancing the capabilities of managers and employees

Employee Relations & Culture

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high‑performance work environment
• Oversee employee relations issues, being a point of escalation for conflict resolution
• Champion employee engagement initiatives and internal communication strategies

HR Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor the Head of HR and team, ensuring consistent application of HR policies and professional development
• Maintain and optimise HR technology platforms, including HRIS, ensuring accurate and efficient data management

External HR Vendor Relations

• Build relationships with external HR vendors, consultants, and professional networks to leverage expertise and resources relevant to UK operations

Qualifications And Experience

• CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent
• Experience in the maritime, engineering, or innovation‑driven sectors
• Understanding of technical or engineering roles and workforce challenges within innovative manufacturing environments
• Proven experience as an HR Director or senior HR leader, preferably within engineering, maritime, or technology‑driven industries
• Strong knowledge of employment law, HR policies, and best practicesotho across different regions globally is desirable
• Experience in leading talent acquisition, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives at a strategic level
• Track record of building and developing high‑performing HR teams

Experience of managing visa, work permit and immigration processes, ensuring compliance with local immigration laws and global mobility policies

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinking with the ability to align HR initiatives with business objectives
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and influencing skills
इन्हेंŠ रोकरा

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret HR metrics and drive improvement
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build credibility across all levels of the organisation

Proficiency in HR technology systems and data management

Note: Due to the nature of work undertaken at SubSea Craft, the selected candidate must be capable of meeting the security requirements of the position, which would include as a minimum existing right to live and work in the UK, Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), with UK National security clearance required for certain roles.

Values

Our people are our greatest asset, we continually strive to provide an excellent working environment to enable our team to do their best work. We have an agile professional workforce: we are founded on the belief that our people are valued and our business is trusted, inclusive and commercially‑adept.

What We Expect From You

• Teamwork, mutual respect and collaboration
• Initiative and independent working
• Honesty and integrity
• Business and commercial awareness

Agility, adaptability and continuous development

Further Requirements

• Please note that DBS, Driving Licence and reference checks will be carried out and all offers of employment acteurs subject to meeting our requirements