Shape the future of people, culture and leadership in a world-class Fire & Rescue Service
Make a Difference Where It Matters Most
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. GMFRS is one of three organisations under the Greater Manchester Combined Authority umbrella, and this role will work strategically alongside other People Services leaders in the group to deliver improved outcomes for the communities of Greater Manchester under the wider ‘three organisations, one team’ ethos. It will play an important part in ensuring alignment between service priorities and the broader people agenda across the organisation.
Working closely with the Chief Fire Officer, Deputy Chief Fire Officer and senior leadership teams, you will lead the Fire Service’s contribution to the wider GMCA People Strategy, aligned to national Fire & Rescue priorities and local service ambitions. You will work alongside other People Services leaders across the group and matrix into a shared HR operational service, helping to create a more connected, consistent and high-impact people offer. You will also provide expert strategic advice at the highest level, deputise for the Director of People Services as required, and directly lead key GMFRS functions including the Professional Standards department. Through this, you will elevate People Services as a strategic partner, improving customer experience and organisational impact, and help shape organisational culture and behaviour, fostering inclusion, wellbeing and psychological safety.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking a credible, values-led HR leader with the experience and impact to operate at executive level and provide expert, credible advice at the highest level, influencing key decisions across the Service.
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
As GMFRS is a 24/7 emergency response service, this role is based at Service Headquarters and requires the flexibility to work in a pattern aligned to executive leadership requirements, including regular office based working.
Ready to Apply?
If you are a strategic, people-focused leader with the ambition to make a real difference at scale, we want to hear from you. Work at the heart of public service reform in Greater Manchester. Join us and help shape the future of People Services in Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service.