The Post: We are looking for an exceptional individual who can bring a fresh, forward thinking and collaborative approach to developing and driving high performance and innovative practice in the People profession. The successful candidate will be responsible for operational and strategic leadership across all aspects of the employee journey, creating and supporting a culture where staff feel valued, supported, listened to and involved in decision-making.

This isn’t just about being a Director of People and Culture who has oversight of all aspects of the People function which includes occupational health, fitness and health & wellbeing. This role is also about delivering visible and compassionate leadership as part of our Executive Team, consistently upholding and embodying our values of honesty, integrity and respect. In this influential role and as a member of our Executive Team, you will be at the heart of our efforts when it comes to our vision to ‘Make South Yorkshire safer & stronger’.

As a member of the Executive Team, this role is a key player in our Senior Leadership Team and a key attendee at the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority as an advisor. This critical role is also the Executive Lead for the service’s People & Culture Board.

The Candidate: You will be a highly experienced, motivated corporate people leader with extensive knowledge and expertise in all aspects of people management, strategy and policy development. You will have a record of leading and implementing change, driving innovation and improvement and providing inspirational leadership to the wider team and service.

This role requires close working with the Fire & Rescue Authority, the Executive, Senior Leadership and Corporate Management Teams, our partners and representative bodies to

ensure the service continues to develop and implement strong and innovative staff engagement strategies which promote a culture of high performance and living our values of honesty, integrity and respect. You will be a very strong team player who is visible and leads with passion, energy and optimism.

Benefits: The service offers an attractive pension scheme, a wide range of work life balance policies, employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme, on site gyms, various discounts to both local and national retailers and many other benefits.

Further Information: If you share our vision and have the attributes we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you. For a confidential conversation regarding this position email Angela Twigg, Executive Assistant, atwigg@syfire.gov.uk to arrange to speak to the Chief Fire Officer/CEO or the current Director of People & Culture.

An online information session with members of the Executive Team will be held on Wednesday 11 June 2025 3.00pm – 4.00pm. If you’d like to take part in this session please email recruitment@syfire.gov.uk

This position is subject to a Standard DBS Check.

Recruitment Process Timeline

Closing Date for Applications: 0900 Monday 23 June 2025

Notification of Shortlist: w/c 30 June 2025

Psychometric Testing (online): w/c 7 July 2025

Assessment process: w/c 14 July 2025

• Interview with Stakeholder Panel
• Presentation & interview with Senior Leadership Team
• Media assessment

Final interview with Fire Authority Appointments Committee (for final shortlisted candidates): w/c 21 July 2025

An application pack is available here or by emailing recruitment@syfire.gov.uk and completed applications should be returned electronically to the same email address.

Within both our Service and Authority we believe diversity in all its forms delivers a better service for our staff and our communities. As an equal opportunities employer, we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Please note the appointment is subject to successful pre-employment screening i.e. asylum and immigration check, references, medical screening, substance misuse testing and a minimum of a standard level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which includes current and spent criminal records information. Enhanced checks with barred lists will be carried out for roles that undertake ‘regulated activity’ which is a term related to working with children or vulnerable adults.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People. All staff are expected to share this commitment.

If you require any of our recruitment documents in larger print please contact our recruitment team as above.