Job description

Safety, Reliability, Costs and the Delivery of Maritime Skills to the Shell Group are strategic objectives that must be delivered in order for Ship Management to remain competitive. This role is central to building a strong, capable, and future-ready maritime workforce. The People Operations Officer - Fleet (Talent & Development) is responsible for managing talent pipelines (Fleet secondments), overseeing promotion processes, supporting career progression, and ensuring the health and readiness of fleet personnel through medical liaison.

Responsibilities

Accountabilities

  • Develop and maintain strong talent pipelines for Officers and Cadets across all fleet groups. Identify high-potential individuals and actively support succession planning for both fleet operations and maritime functions ashore.
  • Establish, implement, and continuously refine a structured talent framework to guide development and progression.
  • Coordinate promotion boards and maintain accurate promotion records. Ensure career development pathways are transparent, fair, and aligned with both fleet requirements and individual aspirations.
  • Work closely with Operations, Recruitment, Training, Cadet Programmes, Technical Management team, and Fleet Management (SMT) to identify and prioritise talent. Proactively manage career progression and promotion readiness across the fleet.
  • Support the rollout and tracking of Personal Development Plans (PDPs), ensuring alignment with Company’s competency frameworks and individual growth goals.
  • Serve as the primary contact for medical cases, ensuring timely and appropriate support for seafarers. Liaise with medical providers and internal stakeholders to manage fitness-to-work assessments, repatriation, and welfare-related matters.
  • Oversee the Goals, Performance & Appraisals (GPA) processes for the Fleet, ensuring timely feedback, documentation, and follow-up actions to support their development journey.
  • Manage the end of year performance ranking for the Fleet.
  • Raise issues or concerns with the relevant Personnel Officers and Superintendents to address any performance concerns.
  • Working closely with the Fleet Management and key stakeholders on the annual performance review process
  • Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, vessel superintendents, and internal teams to ensure smooth communication and effective delivery of talent-related initiatives.
  • Maintain accurate records of promotions, medical cases, and development activities. Provide regular reports and insights to support strategic workforce planning.
  • Identify opportunities to enhance talent management processes, systems, and tools.  Contribute to projects aimed at improving crew development and engagement.
  • Lead or coordinate adhoc projects, internal audits activities.
  • Other duties as required from time to time.

Dimensions

  • Supports talent development across multiple fleet groups with diverse operational profiles.
  • Interfaces with approximately 1500+ Officers
  • Responsible for tracking and reporting on development activities for a large and dynamic workforce.
  • Acts as a key point of contact for career-related queries and medical support.


Challenges

  • Balancing operational demands with long-term development goals.
  • Managing diverse stakeholder expectations across fleets and geographies.
  • Navigating complex regulatory and medical requirements.
  • Maintaining engagement and motivation among seafarers in a high-risk, high-regulation industry.

Job requirements

  • Proven experience in talent management, crew operations, or HR within a maritime or similar environment.
  • Strong understanding of STCW and Flag State regulations.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Analytical mindset with attention to detail and strong record-keeping capabilities.
  • Experience with promotion frameworks and medical case management is highly desirable.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and crew management systems (e.g., Shipmate, Seafarer Portal).
  • Continuous Improvement mindset: AGILE/CP-1 Practitioner certification is a plus.

Other

What we offer

You bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented, committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet. You’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty, integrity, and respect for one another. You’ll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself.

  • Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together.
  • Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead.
  • Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices.
  • Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise.
  • Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
  • Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working.
  • Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performancerelated salary increase – our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world.
  • Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents.
  • Join an organisation working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply.
  • Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and
  • international teams.
  • Gain access to a wide range of training and development programmes.

Disclaimer: Careers in Commodities and the Erasmus Commodity & Trade Centre hold no responsibility for the accuracy of the information presented above. For most accurate and up to date information, refer to the official website of the vacancy offeror.