Director of People

Join our Executive Team and help build the workforce, leadership and culture that will serve our communities for generations to come.
Director of People
Job reference: VAC (Apply online only)
Location: Brigade Headquarters, Stocklake, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1BD
Salary: £123,513 per annum + Car Allowance
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time, 37 hours per week
Package: Local Government Pension Scheme | Employee Benefits | Employee Assistance Programme | Occupational Health | Onsite Gym Facilities
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. You will be 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.
You will provide visible, values-led leadership across the Service, champion equality, diversity and inclusion, embed lessons from national reviews, strengthen leadership and career pathways, and ensure the organisation has the right people, skills and capability for the future. You will also lead 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
Application Closing Date: Sunday, 9th August 2026
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
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.
Abatement and Protected Pension
If are in receipt of a Firefighter’s pension, before taking up employment with Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority, you are required to notify Human Resources as Abatement Rules may apply.
No agencies please