Job reference: REQ000406
Join Us at a Transformational Stage for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) is entering one of the most significant phases of its cultural journey. Following our latest HMICFRS inspection, we have a clear mandate and renewed momentum to evolve our culture, strengthen leadership behaviours, and build a truly inclusive, values‑driven organisation.
We are now seeking an inspiring, strategic and forward‑thinking Assistant Director of People to help lead this transformation.
This is more than a senior HR role. This is your opportunity to shape the future of a critical public service, influence cultural change at scale, and create a workforce experience where every colleague feels valued, safe, respected and empowered.
If you are a bold, credible and resilient people leader ready to make a lasting organisational impact, we want to hear from you.
Why This Role Matters
As the Service’s most senior HR professional, you will play a pivotal role in modernising how we lead, develop and support our people. You’ll be central to:
Delivering a refreshed, ambitious People Strategy.
Embedding values‑based leadership and psychologically safe working environments.
Driving organisational culture change aligned to HMICFRS recommendations.
Strengthening trust, confidence and fairness across the workforce
Supporting leaders to model the behaviours that drive a positive, inclusive culture.
This is your platform to lead transformational change within a multi‑site emergency service with a proud public mandate and a clear desire to improve.
What You Will Lead
As Assistant Director of People, you will oversee the full People Services portfolio, including:
HR Business Partnering & Operations
Employee Relations (including PSI oversight)
Recruitment & Resourcing
Payroll and Pensions
Occupational Health
Culture, Inclusion, Health & Wellbeing
Workforce planning and organisational development alignment
You will coach and develop leaders, modernise policy, strengthen governance, and ensure that our people practices are ethical, fair, evidence‑based and future‑focused.
About You
We’re looking for a transformational HR leader who brings:
Significant senior‑level HR leadership experience in a complex, unionised environment.
A strong track record of driving cultural change and delivering values‑based leadership programmes.
Deep ER expertise, including oversight of complex cases and system reform.
The credibility to influence at senior and political levels.
Strong partnership skills and the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups.
Strategic vision, resilience, integrity and the confidence to challenge convention.
Minimum MCIPD qualified.
If you’re motivated by purpose, passionate about modernising people practices, and ready to lead in an organisation that is ready to embrace change, this could be the role for you.
Why Join BFRS?
You’ll join a Service with a clear ambition for improvement.
You’ll shape culture at a time when your impact will genuinely matter.
You’ll be part of a committed Senior Leadership Team who value and are committed to people‑centred change.
You’ll influence how an essential emergency service evolves for the future.
You’ll work with passionate, capable and dedicated people across the organisation.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re excited by challenge, driven by purpose and eager to lead meaningful organisational change, we’d love to hear from you.
Join us — and help shape the future of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Next steps
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. We ask that you include your full career history and reference your skills and experience in line with the job description and person specification within your application and supporting statement.
Closing date: Wednesday 8 April 2026
The selection process will take place week commencing 20 April 2026
This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2023. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act.
The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory pre-employment clearances, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance at the level required for the role.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safer recruitment, and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer that welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.
As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, we encourage applications from those who have served, are serving, or are part of a military family. Your skills and experience are valued here.