About the job Head, Human Resources
Position: Head, Human Resources (HR)
Reports to: Managing Director / CEO
Location: Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Client Overview
Our client is a leading player in the marine, maritime, and oil & gas services sector, known for its operational excellence, safety‑driven culture, and strong industry reputation. As the organization expands its workforce capabilities and strengthens its people operations, it seeks an experienced Head of HR to lead strategic human capital initiatives, drive organizational effectiveness, and ensure compliance within a highly regulated environment.
Position Overview
The Head of HR will serve as the organization's strategic people leader—responsible for designing, executing, and optimizing HR strategies that support business growth, operational efficiency, and workforce stability. This role requires deep HR expertise, strong business acumen, and the ability to influence leadership decisions in a dynamic, safety‑critical industry.
The ideal candidate will oversee HR operations end‑to‑end, including workforce planning, performance management, talent development, employee relations, compliance, and HR governance. They will partner closely with senior management to build a high‑performance, safety‑focused culture aligned with the company's marine and oil & gas operational demands.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic HR Leadership: Develop and execute HR strategies aligned with marine/maritime/oil & gas operational goals. Serve as a strategic advisor to the MD/CEO and leadership team on workforce planning, organizational design, and people priorities.
- HR Operations & Process Excellence: Lead HR operations across recruitment, onboarding, payroll coordination, HRIS, and personnel administration. Ensure efficient, compliant HR processes that support vessel operations, offshore teams, and onshore staff.
- Performance Management: Implement a robust performance management framework tailored to technical, operational, and field‑based roles. Drive a culture of accountability, continuous feedback, and measurable performance outcomes.
- Talent Management & Development: Build talent pipelines for critical marine and technical roles. Oversee training, competency development, and certification programs required for offshore and maritime operations.
- Employee Relations & Engagement: Foster a positive work environment across onshore and offshore teams. Manage conflict resolution, disciplinary processes, and employee welfare initiatives.
- Policies, Compliance & HR Governance: Ensure compliance with maritime labor regulations, oil & gas industry standards, and Nigerian employment laws. Update and enforce HR policies, safety‑related guidelines, and workforce governance frameworks.
- Data, Reporting & HR Analytics: Use HR analytics to support decision‑making, workforce planning, and operational forecasting. Provide leadership with timely reports on headcount, turnover, performance trends, and compliance metrics.
Who Will Thrive in This Role
This role is ideal for a strategic yet hands‑on HR leader who:
- Excels at partnering with senior leadership to shape people strategy in a technical, regulated industry.
- Thrives in structured but evolving environments where HR systems require continuous improvement.
- Understands the operational realities of marine, maritime, or oil & gas workforce management.
- Balances strategic thinking with operational execution—comfortable in both boardroom and field‑level HR contexts.
- Values data‑driven decision‑making and uses insights to guide HR recommendations.
- Is committed to excellence in compliance, governance, and ethical HR leadership.
Level of Autonomy
This role offers:
- Ownership of HR strategy, operations, and key people workstreams.
- Authority to recommend and implement HR improvements, policies, and process enhancements.
- Independence in managing day‑to‑day HR operations across onshore and offshore teams.
- Freedom to advise and influence business leaders on people and culture decisions.
- Responsibility for driving HR initiatives from planning to execution and reporting.
- Strategic leadership as the organization's Human Capital Lead.
- Flexibility to innovate and introduce new HR practices aligned with industry standards.
Education & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, or related field.
- Professional HR certification (CIPM, SHRM, CIPD) is an advantage.
- Minimum of 10 years HR experience, with at least 3 years in a senior HR leadership role.
- Experience in marine, maritime, oil & gas, or other safety‑critical industries is highly desirable.
- Strong knowledge of Nigerian labor laws, maritime workforce regulations, and industry compliance standards.