Department: Human Resources

Reporting to: Director of Human Resources

Grade: 2

Base Salary: £88,362 per annum

Base: Gravesend, Kent

Closing date: 7th April 2026

Interview date: 1st Stage scheduled for 13th April. 2nd Stage scheduled for 22nd April.

Who we are:

We are the UK’s biggest port, central to the country’s economy and ambitions for growth. We connect the UK to the world, but we are much more than a conventional port.

We are driven by our purpose to protect and improve the 95 mile stretch of the tidal River Thames – from Teddington Lock on the border of Surrey, through the heart of London, Kent, Essex and out to the North Sea.

The role:

We’re looking for an experienced Change Management Lead to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering people‑centred change across our organisation. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the change approach for major transformation activity, starting with the implementation of our new ERP system, a cornerstone programme for the organisation’s future.

If you’re passionate about meaningful engagement, bringing people with you through change, and creating sustainable cultural and behavioural shifts, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing:

As our Change Management Lead, you will:

Lead Change Strategy & Planning

• Develop organisational change strategies and frameworks aligned to programme objectives

• Conduct change impact assessments and provide expert recommendations

• Create change plans, roadmaps, and toolkits to support consistent delivery

• Identify risks, dependencies, and cultural barriers to change

Drive Stakeholder & Leadership Engagement

• Map stakeholders and design tailored engagement strategies

• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and project sponsors

• Coach leaders to champion and role‑model change

Shape Communications & Engagement

• Partner with Corporate Affairs to deliver clear, inclusive, and timely change communications

• Develop messaging that builds trust and supports adoption

• Ensure communications are accessible and relevant to diverse audiences

Deliver Change Interventions & Support Implementation

• Prepare the organisation for process, cultural, and system changes

• Lead workshops, briefings, and training sessions

• Monitor readiness, adoption, and engagement using data and feedback

• Identify emerging issues and work with project teams to resolve them

• Support benefits realisation and post‑implementation review

Build Change Capability Across the Organisation

• Develop tools, templates, and learning resources

• Coach leaders, managers, and teams on change leadership

• Continuously improve approaches based on learning and best practice

Collaborate Across the Business

• Work closely with HR, OD, PMO, Technology, and Corporate Affairs

• Support alignment between people, process, and system change

• Contribute to wider transformation governance and insight

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience leading change and transformation programmes in operational 24/7 operational organisations

• Experience supporting digital transformation; ERP implementation experience desirable

• Strong stakeholder management across all levels, including executive

• Understanding of change models (ADKAR, Kotter, Lewin)

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to facilitate workshops and engagement sessions

• Resilience, adaptability and the ability to remain calm under pressure

Our Behaviours

You naturally demonstrate our values:

One Team – acting with integrity, delivering on commitments, and upholding safety and standards.

Do the Right Thing – collaborating, valuing others’ expertise, and supporting colleagues.

Always Improving – bringing fresh thinking, learning from mistakes and driving continuous improvement.

In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:

• 30 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)

• Private Medical Insurance (Bupa)

• Generous pension

• Onsite parking with electric charging

• Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Car-leasing scheme (Tusker Cars)

• Access to MyGymDiscounts

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Karen Fuller, Director of HR at Karen.Fuller@pla.co.uk.

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.