Head of People

Head of People
Salary: Grade J £57,461 - £62,963 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Headquarters, Ripley (Agile Working Available)
Lead the People Agenda for a Modern Fire and Rescue Service
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is looking for an exceptional HR leader to join our Corporate Services leadership team as Head of People. This is a rare opportunity to shape and deliver an ambitious people agenda that supports our workforce, strengthens organisational performance, and helps us continue providing outstanding services to our communities.
Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services, you will provide strategic leadership across the full employee lifecycle, leading HR Operations, Occupational Health and Wellbeing, Reward and Resourcing, and Organisational Development. You will act as the principal HR adviser to the Fire Authority, Chief Fire Officer, Strategic Leadership Team and senior managers on all people-related matters.
About the Role
As Head of People, you will:
* Lead the development and delivery of the People and Culture Strategy, ensuring alignment with Service priorities.
* Drive organisational development, workforce planning, talent management and succession planning to build a resilient and future-ready workforce.
* Provide expert strategic advice on employment law, employee relations, organisational change and workforce policy.
* Lead constructive engagement with Trade Unions and external partners, fostering positive industrial relations.
* Champion equality, diversity and inclusion and help embed the values and ethical standards of the Service.
* Develop high-performing teams and drive continuous improvement through innovation, digital transformation and evidence-based decision making.
About You
We are seeking an experienced and values-led HR professional who can operate confidently at a senior level within a complex public sector environment. You will bring:
* Significant senior HR leadership experience, including advising executives, elected members and senior leaders on complex people matters.
* Strong expertise in employment law, workforce strategy, employee relations, organisational development and change management.
* Experience of working within a highly unionised environment and developing productive stakeholder relationships.
* Track record of leading high-performing HR services and delivering continuous improvement.
* Outstanding communication, negotiation, leadership and influencing skills.
* Chartered CIPD membership (MCIPD) and/or a Masters-level Human Resources qualification.
Why Join Us?
This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic decisions while making a real difference to the experience, wellbeing and development of our people. Working alongside a committed leadership team, you will help shape the future workforce of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and support the delivery of our community-focused vision.
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.
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 26 July 2026.
Interviews are provisionally booked to take place on 04 August 2026 and 05 August 2026