At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the People Directorate, shaping culture and organisational capability.
- Company: Join Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, a modernising organisation committed to community safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive workplace, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workforce culture and community engagement.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 7 qualified with significant HR leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This is a rare opportunity to join Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service as Director of People and help shape the future of our workforce, culture and organisational capability. As a member of the Executive Team, you will play a pivotal role in providing visible strategic leadership across People Services, Organisational Development, Equality and Inclusion, and Training and Assurance. You will be central to enabling the Service to deliver its purpose, vision, Community Risk Management Plan and wider strategic priorities.
About us: Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service serves the communities of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes and is continuing an ambitious journey of modernisation and change. Our promise to the public, values and behaviours guide how we work, and our Community Risk Management Plan sets a clear strategic direction for an excellent, modern and agile fire and rescue service. We are looking for an exceptional people leader to help us embed an inclusive culture, strengthen organisational capability and ensure our workforce is equipped to meet the needs of the communities we serve.
You will be responsible for:
- Leading the strategic direction and performance of the People Directorate, including HR, employee relations, wellbeing, payroll, organisational development, and operational training and assurance.
- Being the principal advisor to the Fire Authority and Senior Executive Team on all people matters, ensuring that people strategy, culture, inclusion, workforce planning and organisational development are fully aligned to corporate priorities and operational delivery.
- Providing visible, values-led leadership across the Service, championing equality, diversity and inclusion, embedding lessons from national reviews, strengthening leadership and career pathways, and ensuring the organisation has the right people, skills and capability for the future.
- Leading the development of high-performing people services that are efficient, effective, trusted and focused on continuous improvement.
About you: We are seeking an exceptional and collaborative senior people leader with the credibility, strategic insight and resilience to operate at Executive level. You will bring:
- Proven experience as a strategic HR, organisational development or people leader within a complex organisation experiencing change.
- The ability to shape and deliver People, EDI and organisational development strategies that improve culture, engagement, wellbeing and performance.
- Outstanding leadership skills, with the ability to articulate a compelling vision and translate strategy into outcomes.
- High levels of political sensitivity, emotional intelligence, integrity and fairness.
- Strong influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, including the confidence to advise, challenge and build productive relationships internally and externally.
- Experience of managing resources and budgets, identifying efficiencies and delivering value for money.
Qualifications required:
- CIPD qualified to Level 7.
- Relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification and experience.
Experience and skills required:
- Significant experience of leading and developing People and OD strategies within a complex organisation.
- Thorough understanding of UK employment law, statutory requirements and current employment practice.
- Strong understanding of how proactive HR and OD support organisational and operational delivery in the public sector.
- Knowledge of the strategic issues and challenges facing public services and fire and rescue services, including operating within a unionised environment.
- Evidence of embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in strategy, policy, practice and culture.
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare strategic reports, briefings and recommendations.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Mark Hemming – mhemming@bucksfire.gov.uk.
How to Apply: We are an equal opportunity employer. Applications from people of any colour, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or disability are welcome. If there are any adaptions or adjustments, we can make to help you in your application, or with our recruitment process, please contact us via e-mail or telephone. Everyone who works with us is required to have a DBS check. If you have any queries or concerns regarding this, please contact HR@bucksfire.gov.uk.
Director of People in Aylesbury employer: Networking Women in the Fire Service
Networking Women in the Fire Service is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing community safety and wellbeing across the UK. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer flexible home-based work arrangements and opportunities for impactful collaboration within a supportive and inclusive culture. Join us to make a meaningful difference while enjoying competitive benefits and a commitment to your professional development.
Contact Details:
Networking Women in the Fire Service Recruitment Team
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