Shape the future of people, culture and leadership in a world‑class Fire & Rescue Service
Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) plays a vital role at the heart of our communities – protecting lives, supporting resilience, and responding to critical incidents 24/7. It is a leading and the most improved Fire Service in the country today.
We are now seeking an exceptional Deputy Director People Services to help shape a modern, inclusive and high‑performing workforce – ensuring our people are supported, empowered and equipped for the challenges of the future. This is a rare opportunity to operate at executive level, influencing culture, organisational performance and service delivery in one of the UK’s most important emergency services.
The Opportunity
As Deputy Director, you will act as a strategic executive business partner to GMFRS; driving transformation across people, culture and organisational effectiveness. You will work closely with senior leadership teams, lead the Fire Service’s contribution to the wider Greater Manchester Combined Authority People Strategy, and provide expert strategic advice at the highest level. You will also directly lead key GMFRS functions including the Professional Standards department, elevating People Services as a strategic partner and shaping organisational culture and behaviour.
You will lead and influence the delivery of strategic people programmes linked to organisational performance outcomes, build workforce insight, benchmark and use best practice to shape decisions, and operate effectively within a complex public service and governance environment.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking a credible, values‑led HR leader with executive‑level experience and a proven record of influencing senior leaders, members and a wide range of stakeholders.
You will bring:
- Significant senior HR leadership experience in a complex, unionised environment
- Proven ability to influence senior leaders, Members and a wide range of stakeholders
- Deep expertise in employee relations, industrial relations, negotiation and organisational change
- Experience of delivering strategic people programmes linked to organisational performance outcomes
- Strong understanding of the Fire & Rescue, emergency service or wider public service context, including how people services support operational resilience
- Experience of using workforce insight, benchmarking and best practice to shape decisions at senior level
- The political awareness and judgement to operate effectively in a complex public service and governance environment
This role is based at Service Headquarters and requires flexibility to work in a pattern aligned to executive leadership requirements, including regular office‑based working.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Greater Manchester. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of age, disability, trans status and non‑binary identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have guidance in place to ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including consideration of reasonable adjustments for people with a disability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…