Area Manager – Prevention, Protection and Risk

Networking Women in the Fire Service; Exeter; On-site; GBP 67,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent fire and rescue service in the UK is seeking an Area Manager to lead the service through a major change program. The ideal candidate will demonstrate inspirational leadership and a proven record in strategic management and operational control in emergency situations. This role includes significant responsibilities in guiding the service's vision and ensuring community safety. Competitive salary with relocation assistance and a vehicle provided.

Benefits

Relocation package

Service vehicle

Competitive holiday entitlement

Pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Comprehensive rewards and benefits programme

Lifestyle benefits and discounts

Three yearly medical

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Proven record of leading organisation-wide change.
• Experience in strategic management roles involving policy formulation.
• Experience in operational control of major incidents.

Responsibilities

• Support the Assistant Chief Fire Officers in leading the service.
• Assist in creating the vision and culture of the service.
• Act with authority during major incidents.

Skills

Inspirational leadership

People management

Decision making

Operational control

Strategic management

Education

Experience as Group/Area Manager

Job description

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, we have a proud history of keeping people safe through prevention, protection and emergency response. Our Service covers the areas of Devon County, Plymouth City, Somerset and Torbay Councils. With 83 fire stations and over 1,900 highly skilled and dedicated staff, we protect 1.8 million residents as well as the 1.1 million visitors who come to Devon and Somerset each year.

Find out more

Our Area Manager will report to and support our Assistant Chief Fire Officers (ACFO’s) in leading the Service. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will assist the ACFO’s in creating a vision, direction and culture of the Service which builds public trust and confidence through the delivery of effective services.

You will be used to acting with authority under pressure to carry out operational command duties in the event of a major incident.

You will demonstrate a strong track record of innovation, transformation and modernisation in a large organisation.

More information on the role, full job description/person specification and benefits package can be found in the attached Application pack.

Benefits

• Assisting in leading the largest fire service outside of London
• Relocation package – further details to be confirmed
• Service provided vehicle
• Competitive holiday entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Employee assistance programme provided in‑house (wellbeing, counselling and physiotherapy provision)
• Comprehensive rewards and benefits programme
• Lifestyle benefits – a vast range of national and local discounts and offers from retailers, as well as savings on travel, leisure and entertainment
• Three yearly medical
• Various salary sacrifice schemes

We are looking for existing Area Managers or substantive competent Group Managers with a proven record of leading organisation‑wide change, who can inspire, innovate and influence at the highest level.

How to apply

You will be required to complete an application form via the apply link below, which will include the requirement for you to provide a Personal Impact Statement. Please use the “AM Personal Impact Statement and Essential Criteria” template attached below and upload this when requested in the application form.

The personal impact statement relates to each of the four quadrants of the NFCC Leadership Framework as well as professional expertise. Your impact statement should focus on demonstrating your impact at ‘Leading the Service’ level.

The “AM Personal Impact Statement and Essential Criteria” template attached also has a section for you to detail how you meet the following essential criteria from the Job Description and Person Specification.

• 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 in giving clear direction and advice 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

The closing date for applications is Sunday 21 December 2025 at 23:59. Shortlisting will take place from 05 January 2026 and the selection and interview process will take place during the weeks starting 12 and 19 January 2026 and 02 February 2026.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further please contact Gerald Taylor – Deputy Chief Fire Officer – [e-mail] or Damien Borlase – Temp Assistant Chief Fire Officer – [e-mail].

Please note that the appointment is subject to successful Baseline Personnel Security Standard check (BPSS), Medical Screening, National Security Vetting to Security Check level (SC) and an Standard DBS Check.

Our values

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

Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and/or reprimands.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response.

As a Service and as individuals:

• We are proud to help
• We are honest
• We are respectful
• We are working together
• Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities we serve and aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce, We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to join our team.