Area Manager

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service; Birkenshaw; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lease car scheme

Relocation package

Employee assistance programme

Training and development opportunities

Gym access

Sports and social clubs

Job summary

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is seeking an Area Manager with a proven track record in strategic leadership, service improvement and operational delivery. You will provide senior leadership across key portfolios and drive improvements at major incidents, shaping the future of the service and safeguarding communities across West Yorkshire.

You will lead a diverse team, foster collaboration with partners and stakeholders, and uphold the NFCC core ethics in every decision.

Qualifications

• Be substantive Wholetime Group Manager (or above).
• Commit to meet the requirements of the continuous duty system.
• Commit to our vision of "Making West Yorkshire Safer".
• Demonstrate the five ethical principles of the NFCC core code of ethics.
• Be an experienced fire and rescue service officer.
• Demonstrate ability to operate at the highest level of leadership.
• Have considerable experience of major operational incidents and knowledge of command systems.
• Strong track record of strategic leadership and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across a significant functional area.
• Lead operationally at major incidents and ensure readiness across portfolios.
• Drive continuous improvement, organisational change and excellence in service delivery.
• Collaborate with senior leaders, partners and stakeholders to deliver outcomes.
• Lead with openness, accountability and a commitment to making a difference for communities.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic leadership

Operational delivery

Major incidents experience

Ethics & integrity

Job description

Timeline Applications open: Monday 17 August 2026. Applications close: 13:00 on Monday 14 September 2026. Shortlisting: Tuesday 15 and Thursday 17 September 2026. Psychometric Assessments & CPG E-learning: w/c Monday 21 September - Sunday 4 October 2026. CPG (The Career Progression Gateway) (pass/fail) w/c Monday 5 October 2026. Operational command (pass/fail) w/c Monday 5 October 2026. Final interviews/stakeholder panel: Monday 12, Wednesday 14 and Monday 19 October 2026. Final appointment decisions by Friday 23rd October. It will be necessary for shortlisted applicants to attend Fire Service Headquarters for a full day during the w/c Monday 5 October and then, if the Operational Command Assessment and the CPG assessment are passed, again on the 12th, 14th or 19th October for final interviews.

Please contact DCFO Dave Walton at ACFO Nick Smith at. For an informal and confidential discussion about the recruitment process, please contact Director of People and Culture, Sonia Pawson at.

We are an equal opportunities employer; we value and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome candidates from communities that are currently under-represented at WYFRS, including women, racially and ethnically diverse applicants and applicants with disabilities. We can offer support and adjustments for candidates and staff who experience barriers to work that result from health conditions or Specific Learning Differences, such as dyslexia. We are a 'Real Living Wage' employer. West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service are committed to the safeguarding of our staff, volunteers, visitors and the community we serve. This includes protecting vulnerable adults, children and young people from potential neglect and harm. All employees must share the same commitment.

This opportunity is right for you if you are a substantive and competent Wholetime Group Manager (or above) with a strong track record of strategic leadership, service improvement and operational delivery within a UK Fire and Rescue Service. You will be committed to our vision of Making West Yorkshire Safer and demonstrate the NFCC Core Code of Ethics in everything you do. You will bring significant experience of leading through complexity, managing major operational incidents and translating strategic priorities, performance and risk into meaningful outcomes. You will understand the opportunities and challenges facing the Fire and Rescue Service, including culture, workforce capability, community risk, transformation and financial sustainability, and be able to turn these into opportunities for innovation and improvement. Your leadership style will be visible, compassionate and inclusive. You will build trust, develop high-performing teams and create positive relationships with colleagues, representative bodies, partners, stakeholders and the diverse communities we serve. Above all, you will be an inspiring and values-led leader who operates with honesty, integrity and respect, leading with openness, accountability and a genuine commitment to making a difference for our people and communities.

• be a substantive and competent Wholetime Group Manager (or above).
• be committed to meet the requirements of the continuous duty system.
• be committed to our vision of "Making West Yorkshire Safer".
• demonstrate the five ethical principles of the NFCC core code of ethics.
• be an experienced fire and rescue service officer.
• be able to demonstrate your ability to operate at the highest level of leadership.
• have considerable experience of dealing with major operational incidents and knowledge of command systems.
• have a strong track record of strategic leadership, service improvement and operational delivery.

Join West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Make a Real Difference.

At West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), we are committed to our vision of Making West Yorkshire Safer. Serving a population of more than two million people across almost 800 square miles, we are proud to be an organisation where everyone is encouraged, trusted and supported to play our part in protecting our communities and improving safety and wellbeing across West Yorkshire. With more than 1,400 colleagues, 40 fire stations and a strong reputation for innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, WYFRS offers a unique opportunity to influence strategic direction, lead significant programmes of change and make a lasting contribution to the safety of the communities we serve. As an Area Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our Service and ensuring our organisational readiness. You will provide strategic leadership across a significant functional area, contribute to the delivery of our organisational priorities and lead operationally at major incidents. Working as part of our senior leadership team, you will help drive continuous improvement, organisational change and excellence in service delivery. The service had three Area Managers, each responsible for one of the following portfolios:

• Service Delivery
• Operations Support
• Service Support

• 20% Flexible Duty System (FDS) allowance plus an additional 19.5% Continuous Duty System allowance.
• Lease car scheme.
• Relocation assistance package (if relocating from outside of West Yorkshire).
• Access to an employee assistance programme.
• Excellent Training and development opportunities.
• Free use of gym.
• Sports and social clubs.