Recruitment & HR Operations Manager

We are a high performing, innovative and progressive organisation and our vision is a Cheshire where there are no deaths, injuries or damage from fires or other emergencies.  In order to achieve this, we recognise that people are our greatest asset and the biggest influence on our organisational culture and performance, so attracting, recruiting and promoting the right people is key to the success of our Service, both now and in the future.

Reporting to the Head of People & Organisational Development, this pivotal role is an exciting and varied opportunity for a pro-active and highly organised HR professional to lead our recruitment, selection and promotions processes, as well as managing HR operations activity for the full employee lifecycle from application to resignation.

To be successful you will need to be an exceptional CIPD qualified HR professional with extensive experience of leading all aspects of recruitment and selection as part of an in-house recruitment function, as well as a track record of leading HR operations activity with efficiency and accuracy.

As you would expect with such a high profile role you will need to be an excellent communicator, and be able to build credibility in order to engage with and influence a wide range of stakeholders. You will need to lead your team effectively in order to deliver a number of varied workstreams and competing priorities to a high standard.

You will be embedding a new Applicant Tracking System, so previous experience of utilising systems to modernise, streamline and add value to recruitment and selection processes will be useful.

What we can offer you in return is a welcoming and inclusive workplace, generous annual leave provision, flexible working opportunities to help you achieve the right work-life balance (including agile working subject to business need), a genuine commitment to supporting your development, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, free parking, access to on-site restaurant and gym facilities, fantastic discounts on high street shops through our Blue Light Card and other employee benefit schemes,

The selection process will comprise of a formal interview and presentation, which will take place on 29th September 2026.   

Application will be via the submission of a CV accompanied by a supporting statement of up to 1,500 words outlining suitability for the role against the essential criteria in the person specification. Please also complete and submit the attached Equality Monitoring form alongside your CV and supporting statement. These should be emailed to megan.whalley@cheshirefire.gov.uk quoting job reference number 28/26/RM.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals, especially females and people from a minority ethnic background who are currently under-represented within our organisation, however all applications will be anonymised and assessed purely on merit. 

Job description

Application guidance

Equality monitoring form

Closing Date for applications: 09:00hrs on Monday 21st September 2026

It is important that you consider at an early stage of the process if you would like to request arrangements that will assist you in completing the selection process. For example, in relation to disability; a neurodiverse condition such as dyslexia; pregnancy; religion or belief; or injury etc. Any requests for workplace adjustments will be treated with the utmost confidence. For support or further information please email: recruitment@cheshirefire.gov.uk 

Appointment to this post is subject to a satisfactory Standard Disclosure & Barring Service check.