Description People Policies and Engagement Partner Professional 2B Closing date: 28th April 2025 Salary: £39,513 Hours: 37 full time Overview West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) is the second largest fire and rescue service in England, serving an area of 902km square and a population of over 2.9 million people. Our vision is ‘Making the West Midlands safer, stronger and healthier’. This vision and the strategic goals outlined in ‘Our Strategy’ are what drives the people, professionalism and pride with which we serve our communities. WMFS is a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation committed to leadership excellence and improving the employee experience. We aim to empower our people to be their best through inclusive and equitable workplace practices. We are now seeking a People Policies and Engagement Partner to join our team. Reporting to the Senior HR and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Business Partner, you will play a key role in developing and embedding people policies that are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with our strategic goals. This role will suit someone with the confidence to challenge the status quo and a passion for improving the employee experience. You will lead on policy consultation, ensure legal and practical compliance, and develop clear implementation plans to embed new policies across the organisation. Responsibilities As People Policies and Engagement Partner, you will: create and manage a structured programme of work for developing and implementing people policies research, write, and evaluate people policies to ensure they are inclusive, legally sound, and aligned with our values and strategy undertake benchmarking and external research to ensure our approach is innovative and reflects best practice develop clear process maps for each policy, outlining roles and responsibilities at every stage ensure all policy consultation is timely and meaningful, involving trade unions and network groups as appropriate create and implement robust plans to support the rollout of new or revised policies and help embed them across the organisation complete thorough equality impact assessments for all new and updated policies establish a feedback framework to capture employee experiences and insights, and use business intelligence to support ongoing improvements review and assess the quality, clarity, and accessibility of current guidance and templates, ensuring they are user-friendly and promote best practice. Essential skills or experience a CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent, or working towards it, or significant experience in a people or HR role proven experience in developing and implementing inclusive and engaging people policies up-to-date knowledge of UK employment legislation and an understanding of how to maintain that knowledge excellent communication and influencing skills experience of consulting with trade unions and employee network groups. Preferred skills experience in a dedicated employee relations role understanding of public sector employment policies and procedures experience of researching best practice through professional networks and external sources strong project management skills. Benefits We offer a friendly working environment and benefits including: flexible and agile working arrangements on-site free gym facilities free parking 12 months full paid maternity leave We also offer access to an in-house occupational health facility - including occupational health and fitness advisors, sports therapists, physiotherapists, cognitive behavioural therapy practitioners and counsellors. In addition, employees have access to: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme wellbeing programmes ‘blue light’ discounts across many retailers through partner schemes Sports and Welfare scheme (for a small fee) – with access to discounted products and services Enhanced Family leave benefits, including 12 months full pay for maternity leave Diversity We welcome applications from all eligible candidates. However, as women and Black and minority ethnic employees are currently under-represented in our service, we particularly encourage applications from these groups. WMFS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect the same of every staff member. Successful candidates will be subject to necessary pre-employment checks, including - where applicable - relevant level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, qualifications, medical clearance, identity and right to work. All applicants will be required to provide two suitable references. How to apply Send your CV and answer the questions, outlining previous experience, to outline your suitability for the role. Questions If you have any questions about the role, or would like an informal discussion, please contact Narinder Gould by email at Narinder.Gouldwmfs.net JOB DESCRIPTION