Head Of Human Resources

Head of Human Resources

Kent Fire & Rescue Service, Service Headquarters, Tovil, Kent

Salary: Grade 11 - £69,569 - £75,255

Full time:  37 Hours per week, Hybrid working available (3 days per week on site attendance)

Vacancy Reference: VR1247

Being a part of Kent Fire and Rescue Service

Everyone is unique. Everyone has value. Everyone helps to make Kent Fire and Rescue Service a great place to work. We are one team. Together with our customers we are creating a safer future for Kent and Medway.

About the role

We are seeking a dynamic Head of HR who is passionate about fostering a culture of continuous improvement, optimising processes, enhancing customer service, and building and leading an exceptional HR team.

We are looking for someone with a demonstrable ability to challenge and influence constructively at all levels. You’ll be a creative thinker and able to take an innovative approach to projects and tasks. In this role you can expect to work at great pace, with energy, enthusiasm and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment.  You will lead the transformation of the HR function and the management of all aspects of the day to day running of the HR team.

This is an opportunity to work in an environment committed to equality, inclusivity, positive culture and well-being, leading and enhancing the HR team function.

What you’ll do

• Lead the transformation of the HR department through a review of process efficiencies and lean process mapping to ensure streamlined, customer-centric HR processes and practices are in place and delivering the evolving organisational needs.
• Provide oversight for the HR function (including our Leadership and Learning team), including the development/delivery of the HR Plan objectives and working with responsible managers in the monitoring and reporting of HR Plan activities.
• Work as part of the HR leadership team to develop, evolve and evaluate the HR Plan, providing insight from functional teams to help inform decision- making processes.

• Day-to-day management of the HR function, which includes coaching, mentoring and developing the team, identifying areas for upskilling, and challenging thought processes.
• Provide expert support to HR Business Partners, agreeing complex interventions and guidance to enable stakeholders to meet their operational needs.
• Management of organisational establishment tracking, facilitating papers for consideration by Senior Leadership Team as part of the Establishment Board, ensuring workforce levels are monitored, establishment variations are anticipated and talent retention, development or acquisition plans are put in place to meet changing organisational needs ensuring operational risks are well controlled by a planned approach. 
• Support change management processes, including change management process design, restructures, consultations etc. as required to support organisational needs.

What you’ll bring

• Extensive background in HR, Talent Management, Training and EDI.
• Robust organisational and leadership capabilities with a heightened emotional intelligence.
• Exceptional communication proficiency.

• Established track record in change management.

This role is subject to security and police vetting checks which will be undertaken before an offer of employment can be confirmed.

How to apply

Please complete an online application and CV by midnight on 30 April 2024.

Shortlisted applicants may be asked to complete further selection testing and further details will be provided in due course.

Applicants will be informed on shortlisting outcomes by 3 May 2024.

Interviews will take place week commencing 13 May 2024.

Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We know that great minds don’t think alike, so we rely on diverse thoughts, feelings, beliefs and backgrounds to create the best working environment that we can possibly offer.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, its employees and volunteers, are committed to safeguarding, protecting and supporting children, young people and adults at risk. As part of our safer recruitment process, we will undertake pre-employment checks to verify your suitability for the role. These checks will include your references and a standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Enhanced DBS check with barred lists are carried out for roles with direct and unsupervised access to children, young people and adults at risk. Risk assessments will be undertaken on any disclosures identified as part of the pre-employment checks.

As a Public Sector organisation with added responsibilities under the Equality Act, 2010 the candidate must demonstrate an understanding of what is meant by Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and how this fits in with their everyday work.