Derbyshire County Council
Head of People
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Closing date: 26 July 2026
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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:
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- 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.
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Please see the attached Job Description/Person Specification for more information about this exciting role.
How to Apply:
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. Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency the UK.
To apply please visit: https://www.jobtrain.co.uk/derbyshirefire/Job/JobDetail?JobId=1054
The closing date for completed applications is midnight on 26 July 2026.
For an informal chat regarding the role please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441 or via email at service_centre@derbys-fire.gov.uk.
If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form, please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441.
Interviews are provisionally booked to take place on 04 August 2026 and 05 August 2026.
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