Docklands is the colloquial name given to the area of East and South East London that covers the boroughs of Greenwich, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, and Lewisham. The area underwent a period of huge redevelopment during the 1980s, 90s, and into the 2000s, that brought about a massive change in the type of labour that occurred in the area.
As a result of the redevelopment and regeneration in the docklands not only the employment demographics have undergone change, but the volume of workers has increased too. In fact it is forecast that by 2014 the working population will exceed 175,000.
Canary Wharf is London's second financial centre and as such provides much of the employment in the area. Not only in the financial and IT services sector for which it is most well known, but also in retail and food services at the many shops and restaurants now housed in area. Canary Wharf is home to the European headquarters of many of the world's largest banks such as Barclay's, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, Citibank, and Credit Suisse. They are major employers and maintain significant staff levels in the area.
It is highly recommended when looking for work in the docklands to utilise the services of a specialist recruitment agency who will know both the area, and the sectors that account for the area's largest employers.
AgencyCentral lists 69 popular industries and categorise recruitment agencies based on what they cover, so you can easily and quickly find the ones which are most helpful to you.
Staff Elite are specialists in distribution, warehousing and admin recruitment. They are available 24/7 and operate out of the Docklands area.
1 Dock Rd, Docklands, London, E16 1AH
OneClick Recruitment exclusively deals with recruitment for sectors focused on Consumer and Service such as Construction, Security, Agricultural and Health & Social Care. Aside from recruitment, they also manage the payrolls of their placements and offer training classes for aspiring Social Care personnel. Their office is in Docklands.
F18a Waterfront Studios 1 Dock Road, Docklands, London, E16 1AH
Premier Work Support is a diversity & inclusion committed agency that matches people to companies by supplying temporary and permanent candidates to the Aviation, Catering, Commercial, Driving, and Industrial industries. The agency is accredited by Cyber Essentials, the REC, and Crown Commercial Service. They have 13 offices across the UK including in Basildon, Chatham, Dartford, and Heathrow. They also assist candidates with interview preparations.
1 Western Gateway Royal Victoria Dock, Docklands, London, E16 1XL
+ 7 other offices
Docklands sits on the Thames with Canary Wharf at its core and strong links to the City of London. Recruiters here work with local employers across banking, fintech, property, retail, hospitality, media, and facility services. Staffing agencies and employment firms support head office functions and site roles, with recruitment consultants placing administrators, analysts, IT support, concierge staff, warehouse teams, and chefs. The labour market is busy year-round, with spikes linked to financial reporting cycles, new site openings, retail peaks, and events at ExCeL London.
Finance and professional services lead, helped by Canary Wharf’s banks, law firms, and consultancies. Technology and data roles are common, covering helpdesk, cyber support, and analytics. Hospitality and retail hire for front and back of house across Jubilee Place, Crossrail Place, and nearby malls. Facilities management keeps large estates running, with cleaners, porters, security officers, and engineers in steady demand. Logistics and last-mile delivery serve the Royal Docks and riverside sites, with temp agencies covering seasonal peaks.
Large banks anchor the area around Canada Square and North Colonnade. Global law firms and audit practices maintain sizable service teams. Media and telecoms keep offices near South Quay and Wood Wharf. ExCeL London supports venue operations and supplier networks across catering, AV, and stewarding. London City Airport adds aviation, security, engineering, and customer service roles. Local businesses include estate management companies, boutique finance houses, independents along West India Quay, and SMEs across the Isle of Dogs and Blackwall.
Pay varies by sector and contract type. Office support roles often sit around £26,000 to £35,000, with executive assistants and team leaders rising above this. IT support and systems roles commonly run from £35,000 to £60,000, with higher figures for specialist skills. Finance analysts and compliance staff can earn between £40,000 and £70,000. Hospitality pay rates near the estates run around £11.50 to £14 per hour, with premiums for nights and events. Security, concierge, and front-of-house roles often offer £12 to £15 per hour. Recruitment fees usually sit within a band agreed by role seniority and scarcity, with many agencies quoting a % of salary or a fixed rate for entry roles. Temp margins vary by sector and shift pattern, and may reflect holiday pay and statutory costs.
Docklands uses a healthy mix of temporary, contract, and permanent work. Temp agencies cover reception, facilities, retail, and events, providing businesses with flexible cover during peaks or when staff are absent. Professional contractors support change projects in finance, data, and infrastructure. Permanent hiring is steady across office support, risk, HR, and property, with staffing agencies advising on probation terms, notice periods, and retention. Candidates can register with an agency for short-term shifts or longer placements, with many firms offering temp-to-perm routes once fit is proven.
The Jubilee line brings fast links into Canary Wharf from London Bridge and Stratford. The Elizabeth line serves Canary Wharf and Custom House, cutting travel times for commuters from Essex, Berkshire, and Heathrow. DLR runs through Westferry, West India Quay, Heron Quays, South Quay, Blackwall, and on to Royal Victoria and City Airport. Cycle routes and river bus services add choice for early and late shifts. These links help employers expand their catchment while maintaining punctuality for early trading hours and event turnarounds.
Office and finance roles often require strong Excel skills, familiarity with CRM systems, and clear written English. Analysts and IT staff may need SQL, Python, Azure, or service desk certifications. Hospitality roles value Level 2 Food Safety and barista training. Facilities teams benefit from SIA for security, IOSH or NEBOSH for safety, and City and Guilds for electrical or plumbing. Many recruiters in Docklands pre-test skills and run reference checks to shorten time-to-hire and support retention.
Security roles usually need an SIA licence and full vetting. Aviation-linked posts near City Airport can require airside passes and 5-year screening. Finance and legal support often require right-to-work checks, references, and confidentiality agreements. Roles that handle food or vulnerable customers may require DBS checks. Forklift or MEWP tickets can help in logistics and venue build shifts across the Royal Docks.
Hybrid working is common for head office teams, with a standard of two to three days on site in many offices around Canary Wharf and Wood Wharf. Front of house, events, facilities, and retail remain site-based. Recruiters often brief on office attendance early, so candidates know the pattern before the interview. Employers can expand their reach by offering rota certainty, split shifts, or part-time options that align with DLR and Elizabeth line timetables.
What kinds of recruitment agencies operate in Docklands?
Generalist recruiters, executive search firms, temp agencies, and niche staffing agencies cover finance, tech, facilities, hospitality, and logistics.
How can local employers hire staff quickly?
Share a clear brief, pay benchmark, and start date. Ask agencies for shortlists, same-day interviews, and a temp option for urgent cover.
Do Docklands agencies place contractors and temps?
Yes. Many recruitment agencies run contract desks and on-site temp books across reception, events, IT, and finance support.
What should candidates bring when registering with an agency?
Bring right to work documents, an updated CV, proof of address, and any licences or certificates. Be ready to discuss shift patterns and travel.
Where are the busiest hiring spots within Docklands?
Canary Wharf, Wood Wharf, South Quay, and the Royal Docks see the highest vacancy flow, with roles across offices, estates, retail, venues, and transport hubs.
What are typical agency costs for employers?
Permanent fees are often a percentage of the starting salary, with temp margins covering pay rates, holiday pay, and statutory costs. Agree terms up front.
Can job seekers find evening or weekend shifts in Docklands?
Yes. Events, retail, hospitality, security, cleaning, and logistics often have late and weekend rotas, helped by Jubilee line and DLR services.