Senior HR Manager - Professional Standards & Business Partnership

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 culture, and at a time where culture and values within the Fire sector are under greater scrutiny than ever, it is important for us to have a Professional Standards function which helps us deliver the best service to the communities of Cheshire, by ensuring that we maintain the required standards of conduct and promote positive behaviours in accordance with our Core Values of being inclusive, doing the right thing, making a difference and acting with compassion.

This exciting new role has been created in order to lead all activity relating to the management of Professional Standards within the organisation, and to manage a team of committed and hardworking HR professionals, partnering with leaders and managers across the Service to deliver customer-focused HR advice, solutions and policy to enable the achievement of local and strategic objectives.

To be successful you will need to be an exceptional HR professional with proven experience of leading teams within a multi-faceted HR department. You will have the credibility to lead and influence at the most senior level and will have substantial expertise in key HR workstreams including recruitment, transformational change, OD interventions, HR projects, employee wellbeing, policy development and corporate compliance. You will need significant employee relations casework experience in a unionised environment, with direct experience of consultation and negotiation with representative bodies. 

Applicants will need to demonstrate excellent communication skills, the ability to establish effective relationships with key stakeholders, a high level of personal resilience and ability to manage conflict, the ability to analyse complex information, and a commitment to our Core Values and EDI agenda.

Reporting to the Head of People & Organisational Development, and as a member of the HR Management Team, this pivotal role is an exciting and varied opportunity for a talented and experienced HR professional to obtain a senior HR leadership role within an evolving, complex and sometimes challenging environment.

We can offer you a welcoming and inclusive workplace, generous annual leave provision, flexible working opportunities (including agile working subject to business need) to help you achieve the right work-life balance, 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 psychometric assessment followed by a formal interview and presentation, which will take place on Wednesday 26 March 2025. The appointment will also be subject to pre-employment checks including a standard DBS check, a medical and satisfactory references.

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. These should be emailed to recruitment@cheshirefire.gov.uk quoting job reference number 70/25/SHRM

Applicants are invited to contact Laura Flanagan on 07929 784791 to request an appointment for an informal discussion about the post with Carm Rabhani our Head of People & Organisational Development. 

Job description

General information

Application guidance notes

Application form

Closing Date for applications:  09:00hrs, Wednesday 19 March 2025

Please ensure you read the Application guidance notes before completing your application.

Workplace Adjustments and Accommodations

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.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) is committed to keeping vulnerable adults, children and young people safe from harm in all of the work that CFRS undertakes. CFRS recognises that it has a legal and moral obligation to safeguard these groups of people. Furthermore, it acknowledges that the protection of vulnerable adults, children and young people from harm is the responsibility of everybody within the organisation.