Head of People | Penrith, Cumbria | Up to £85,000 | Hybrid (min. 3 days on-site) About the Opportunity Are you a senior HR leader who thrives leading a team and knows how to bring stability and momentum to a people function that's ready to move forward? Foxgroves Recruitment is proud to be supporting Cumbria Constabulary with this significant and exciting new appointment. Rated amongst the best HMIC-assessed forces in the country, Cumbria Constabulary is a high-performing, values-led organisation with a genuine commitment to its people. This is a rare opportunity to join at a pivotal moment, leading the HR, Recruitment and Occupational Health functions and taking ownership of an 18-month to three-year people plan that will shape the organisation for years to come. With a complex, diverse workforce of over 2,000 people, made up of both police officers and support staff, this role demands a leader who understands the nuance of managing very different employee groups under one people strategy. Reporting to the Director of Enabling Services and operating at assistant director level, this is both a hands-on and strategic leadership role for someone who understands the pace, complexity, and accountability that comes with a 24/7 operationally critical environment. The Role As Head of People, you'll hold accountability for the entire people function across the Constabulary, ensuring every officer and member of support staff has a positive experience of HR services, and that the department is firmly aligned to the Force's wider strategy and vision. Key responsibilities include: · Define and own the HR strategy and people policies, ensuring alignment with best practice, evolving legislation, and the Force's ambition to be an employer of choice, whilst maintaining compliance with Police Regulations, the Police Staff Council Handbook, and Working Time Regulations · Lead and develop workforce planning services, ensuring recruitment and resourcing activity aligns to national targets, funding, and operational demand · Drive high performance across the full employee lifecycle, developing a clear HR services framework that balances value for money, customer satisfaction, and legal compliance · Lead on employee relations across the Constabulary, building constructive, collaborative relationships with trade unions, the Police Federation, and individual staff associations · Collaborate across functions to deliver specialist services spanning recruitment, onboarding, employee services, wellbeing, occupational health, talent acquisition, and diversity, equality and inclusion · Lead, develop and inspire the HR team, maintaining high standards of professional advice, continuous improvement, and a culture of collaboration · Align departmental priorities to the Force's strategic aims, maximising the organisational value of the HR function About You You'll be a qualified, credible HR leader with the gravitas to operate at senior level and the warmth to bring people with you. Equally comfortable in a boardroom, a difficult disciplinary hearing, or a conversation with trade unions and staff associations, you'll inspire confidence across the organisation whilst staying firmly connected to the operational realities of a 24/7 environment. You'll be adaptable, decisive, and the kind of leader people want to follow through change. Ideally you will hold; Significant senior HR experience in either, a unionised OR highly regulated environments such as financial services, utilities, transport, manufacturing, nuclear, or education. Deep expertise in employee relations, change management, and workforce planning at scale Experience leading or significantly contributing to strategic people plans Confident working with governance structures, audit processes, and senior scrutiny, whilst maintaining a sharp focus on running an efficient, and high-performing service. A strong, warm leadership style with the ability to build relationships and hold boundaries in equal measure Relevant CIPD qualification at Level 7 preferred Able to commit to a minimum of three days per week at Police Headquarters in Penrith in Cumbria Benefits Package Up to £85,000 salary Hybrid working (3 Days on site at Penrith HQ/2 home working 24 Days holiday plus 8 Bank Hols (rising to 30 days plus banks with service) Vehicle purchase scheme Childcare Vouchers Excellent flexible working policy with ability to take up to 2 days a month from accrued hours – standard hours 37 hours a week Option of condensed working hours over 4 days Flexibility around time off for dependents Free Parking A Note on Vetting Foxgroves Recruitment acts as an employment agency in this instance following fair and inclusive recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act 2010. Due to the nature of this employer, this appointment is subject to an enhanced vetting process. This means that in addition to standard pre-employment checks, you, and potentially your partner and any members of your household and parents, may be subject to police vetting as part of the recruitment process. Full details will be provided at the appropriate stage.