At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives to attract and retain top talent while driving organisational change.
- Company: Join Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, a top-performing emergency service dedicated to community safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous leave, health services, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that shapes the future of a vital community service.
- Qualifications: HR expertise with strong leadership skills and a Level 5 qualification or MCIPD.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to equality, diversity, and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Grade H Salary £45,718 per annum
Location: Joint Police/Fire Headquarters, Ripley
Hours: 37 hours per week, however you may occasionally need to work beyond normal office hours. Agile working arrangements can be discussed with the successful candidate.
Department: Human Resources (HR)
Reports to: Head of HR
Closing date: midnight on Sunday 8th March 2026
About Us
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) is an emergency service with a team of over 800 people working towards the vision of Making Derbyshire Safer Together. We are proud to be one of the country’s top-performing fire and rescue services, recently rated Good in 9 out of 11 areas by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). This recognition reflects the professionalism, progress, and dedication of our people. Whether it’s responding to emergencies, preventing incidents, or supporting our frontline teams behind the scenes, every role makes a real difference. We work to our values of - Leadership, Respect, Integrity, Openness, Teamwork and Ambition.
What We Are Looking For
An experienced HR professional who thrives on influence, collaboration, and delivering transformational change. This is a great opportunity to step into a high impact role at the heart of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service. As a Senior HR Partner, you’ll work with our Strategic Leadership Team and Managers to influence thinking, and bring pragmatic, legally sound solutions and recommendations that support both our people and our operational priorities.
What You Will Be Doing
- Lead the development and delivery of Reward and Benefits frameworks that attract, motivate and retain talented people
- Oversee a modern, effective resourcing approach aligned to organisational needs
- Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations issues, organisational change and employment legislation
- Coach and develop HR colleagues to deliver an outstanding customer focused service
- Use people data and insight to help inform decision making and drive continuous improvement
- Champion Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the Service
About You
You will bring:
- HR expertise, including complex employee relations, change management and employment legislation
- Strong leadership and stakeholder influencing skills
- Knowledge of reward, benefits and resourcing
- HR qualification (Level 5 minimum) and/or MCIPD
- Experience of shaping strategic HR approaches and driving improvement
If you are passionate about people, inspired by making a positive difference, and ready to help shape the future of an organisation with real community impact we’d love to hear from you.
In Return we offer:
- Flexible working hours.
- Agile working (60% office based).
- Family friendly policies.
- Annual leave entitlement of 28 days, increasing to 33 days after 5 years service.
- Free, secure on-site car parking.
- Health & wellbeing services, including an employee assistance programme and free access to gyms at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service locations.
- Employee discount scheme (Boost) and eligibility to apply for Blue Light Card.
- Employee support networks.
- Enhanced maternity pay (subject to meeting eligibility criteria).
- Occupational sick pay subject to length of service, increasing up to 6 months full & 6 months half after 5 years service.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions.
- Eligibility to join Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) offering highly beneficial tax advantages.
- There will be requirement for some travel.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application. The closing date for completed applications is midnight on Sunday 8th March 2026. Interviews will be held on the 23rd & 24th March 2026.
We are a Disability Confident employer committed to equality and fairness at work. Applications are encouraged from all diverse communities. Under the Disability Confident scheme, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of applicants with a disability that meet the essential criteria for the role.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. Police security vetting procedures at the appropriate level will be requested for the successful applicant. Applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain.
Senior HR Partner employer: Derbyshire Fire & Rescue
Contact Detail:
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the organisation's values and recent achievements. We want to show that we’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for the team culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common HR scenarios and how we’d handle them. Being able to discuss our approach to complex employee relations will really impress the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the Senior HR Partner role. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've influenced change or improved processes in previous roles. This will help us understand the impact you've made in your career.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value integrity and openness, so don’t hesitate to express your passion for HR and how you can contribute to making Derbyshire safer together.
Apply Through Our Website: For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your HR knowledge, especially around employee relations and change management. Familiarise yourself with the latest employment legislation and be ready to discuss how you've applied this in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership and stakeholder influencing skills. Think about times when you've successfully led a project or influenced a decision, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Understand Their Values
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service values leadership, respect, integrity, openness, teamwork, and ambition. Reflect on how your personal values align with theirs and be prepared to discuss how you embody these in your work.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their current HR challenges or how they measure success in their HR initiatives. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.