Area Manager

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service; Exeter; On-site; GBP 67,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional fire and rescue service is seeking an Area Manager for Prevention, Protection, and Risk. This leadership role involves acting under pressure to command operations during major incidents and guiding the Service towards sustainability. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in a strategic management role, excellent leadership skills, and a track record in leading transformational change. This position offers competitive benefits, including a vehicle and relocation assistance, in the beautiful region of Exeter.

Benefits

Vehicle provided

Relocation assistance

Competitive holiday entitlement

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Comprehensive rewards and benefits programme

Lifestyle benefits

Three yearly medical checks

Various salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading change within a Fire and Rescue Service.
• Experience in a strategic management role at a political level.
• Track record in improving organisational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Help create vision and culture of the Service.
• Act with authority during major incidents.
• Support Assistant Chief Fire Officers.

Skills

Inspirational leadership at a strategic level

Effective people-management skills

Operational control of major incidents

Decision making and policy formulation

Focus on performance and outcomes

Job description

Area Manager - Prevention, Protection and Risk

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Summary

Salary: £67,792 - £74,360 per annum

Vehicle provided and relocation assistance available – further details to be confirmed.

Are you an ambitious, forward‑thinking leader ready for your next challenge? Would you like to live and work in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK?

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is seeking an outstanding leader to join our service as an Area Manager. This is an exciting time to join us – we are delivering a major change programme to secure long‑term sustainability and ensure our communities continue to receive a resilient, high‑quality service that meets future challenges.

As the largest non‑metropolitan fire and rescue service in England, our Service has a proud history of keeping people safe through prevention, protection and emergency response. We cover Devon County, Plymouth City, Somerset and Torbay Councils. With 83 fire stations and over 1,900 highly skilled staff, we protect 1.8 million residents and 1.1 million visitors to Devon and Somerset each year.

Our Area Manager will report to and support the Assistant Chief Fire Officers (ACFOs) and form part of the Senior Leadership Team. You will help create a vision, direction and culture of the Service that builds public trust and confidence through the delivery of effective services.

You will act with authority under pressure to carry out operational command duties during major incidents and will demonstrate a strong track record of innovation, transformation and modernisation in a large organisation.

Find out more: full job description, person specification and benefits are available in the attached Application pack.

Benefits

• Involvement in leading the largest fire service outside London
• Relocation package – further details to be confirmed
• Service‑provided vehicle
• Competitive holiday entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme – wellbeing, counselling and physiotherapy provision
• Comprehensive rewards and benefits programme
• Lifestyle benefits – national and local discounts and offers, savings on travel, leisure and entertainment
• Three yearly medical checks
• Various salary sacrifice schemes

Essential Criteria

• Inspirational leadership at a strategic level with highly effective people‑management and engagement skills
• Significant experience as Group/Area Manager leading significant change within a Fire and Rescue Service with a track record in improving organisational effectiveness
• Significant experience in a strategic management role involving decision making, policy formulation and implementation at a political level
• Substantial experience in the operational control of major incidents
• A performance focus with the drive to deliver agreed outcomes and raise standards of performance

Closing Date

Applications close on Sunday 21 December 2025 at 23:59. Shortlisting begins 05 January 2026. The selection and interview process will take place during the weeks starting 1, 2 and 19 January 2026 and 02 February 2026.

How to Apply

Complete the application form via the apply link. Provide a Personal Impact Statement using the ‘AM Personal Impact Statement and Essential Criteria’ template attached. Your statement should relate to the four quadrants of the NFCC Leadership Framework and demonstrate impact at the ‘Leading the Service’ level.

Contact

For further discussion, contact Gerald Taylor – Deputy Chief Fire Officer – or Damien Borlase – Temp Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

Background Checks & Disclosures

Appointment is subject to a Successful Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), Medical Screening, National Security Vetting to Security Check (SC) level and a Standard DBS Check.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services Safeguarding Policy.

The Fire and Rescue Authority hosts roles listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order. Applicants must disclose any criminal convictions (spent or unspent) including driving offences, cautions, and reprimands.

We are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders; any positive disclosures will be treated with a reasonable and proportionate response.

Values

• We are proud to help
• We are honest
• We are respectful
• We are working together

Diversity

We recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of local communities we serve and aspire for the workforce to reflect this. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, experiences and beliefs who share our values are encouraged to apply.

Key Details

Job Number: WTPT00255

Location: Exeter

Contract type: Permanent

Application Materials

Download the following documents for application guidance:

• Area Manager application pack 2025.pdf
• Area Manager PPR JD November 25.docx
• AM Personal Impact Statement and Essential Criteria.docx