Head of People – Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

We are looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking HR leader who is eager to help transform our people function.
Are you a strategic HR professional with extensive experience?

About the role

You will lead the People function, ensuring strategic HR management at a corporate level. Your leadership will drive performance that aligns with our mission, vision, and values. Leading meaningful change, fostering a culture of inclusion, innovation, and excellence. Your work will empower every team member, ensuring they feel valued and supported in their growth and development.

As a key member of the Service’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will act as the strategic HR advisor, providing expert guidance on complex HR and people management issues to the Executive Leadership Team, Senior Leadership Team, Fire Authority, and other stakeholders.

Your role will ensure the Service adheres to all relevant legislation, policies, and best practices, safeguarding both the organisation and its employees. Additionally, you will contribute to regional HR strategy and policy, promoting collaboration across the sector.

You will be responsible for a dynamic team of competent specialists. Your role will encompass a broad spectrum of HR functions, ensuring a great people experience. This includes supporting employee relations, HR policy development, HR operations, employee engagement, payroll, pensions, recruitment, selection, workforce planning, succession planning, occupational health, and effective organisational performance.

You will have:
Chartered MCIPD level or equivalent professional HR qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience.
Significant and broad strategic HR experience in a unionised environment.
Significant experience of leading and managing HR Functions effectively to achieve organisational priorities, including developing and implementing a People strategy.
An understanding of Local Government.
Significant working knowledge of employment law, sensitive high-profile casework, HR best practice and industrial.
Demonstrate openness to change and the capability of transforming ideas into action and reality through project management.
In-depth experience in managing HR contracts and overseeing budgetary responsibilities.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills both verbally and in writing, capable of engaging, influencing and building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders at a strategic level.
Understanding of management information systems and information technology within an HR environment.
Current full driving licence with no pending issues.

How to apply

If this role is of interest, please visit our website https://www.bedsfire.gov.uk/careers/search for further information and to make a formal application. You can view our online booklet here: Head of People | Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service