Director of People & Support Services

Fantastic opportunity to join our forward-looking organisation, striving to achieve excellence in the service provided to the people of Dorset.

Dorset is home to over 800,000 people, with 3 million more visiting us every year.  Over half our population live in the south east conurbation comprising Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.  The policing challenges of working across 1024 square miles of land and a similar body of water, 3332 miles of roads and 88 miles of coastline are significant, and we are proud to report some of the lowest crime levels in the country. 

Dorset Police is a high performing Force, graded as good in all areas assessed by HMICFRS. The ambition is to now move from good to outstanding, which will be achieved through our workforce of nearly 3,000 individuals. This requires a strong and driven executive team, of which this role will be part, working alongside warranted Chief Officers in ensuring our organisational budget of £150m is put to best use.

About the role

As Director of People & Support Services, you will ensure that everything we do for Dorset, our residents, businesses and visitors is underpinned by first class people and support services. 

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Constable, you will make a significant contribution to the development and implementation of the strategic agenda, corporate aims and culture of Dorset Police. You will be the senior strategic adviser on all matters relating to workforce development and culture, helping shape and deliver our people and support services strategies at a time of significant challenge and complexity. 

To deliver your objectives you will be leading a large multi-service team that provides expert advice and support across the Force, in human resources & organisation development, information & communications technology, estates and fleet management.  Working with in house teams and external partners, including our Alliance Partner, Devon & Cornwall Police, you will develop and secure relationships and operating models that enable the successful delivery of these critical services and functions.

Moving forward, your leadership of our people and support services will deliver new and improved approaches that ensure we continue to meet our pledges to the public. The force ambition is ‘to provide an outstanding service to the people of Dorset’ and this role will be pivotal in reaching that ambition. 

About you

You will be a senior experienced professional leading a diverse portfolio of corporate and support services. You will bring experience in working across organisations and influencing through multi-stakeholder relationships and engagement. We are looking for a strategic thinker with the vision and creativity to lead this critical portfolio through a period of significant change. Strengths as an experienced leader and expertise in the strategic leadership of people services are vital to applying for this role.

How to apply

For an initial discussion about the role please contact our retained recruitment partner, Mark Bearn of HAYS Executive.  

Application is by CV and covering letter.  Please click on the apply button to access a candidate pack, including a role profile and further information on the recruitment process. 

Dorset Police is determined to promote equality and diversity in the design and provision of our services, policies, and employment practices and we would welcome applicants from minority backgrounds to help us deliver this commitment.

The closing date for applications is Monday 8^th February 2021.