Chief Fire Officer

Lincolnshire County Council; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 140,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation expenses

Job summary

Lincolnshire County Council is seeking an exceptional Chief Fire Officer to provide strategic leadership for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue. You will set the direction across prevention, protection, response and continuity, reporting to the Chief Executive and contributing to corporate priorities.

This on-site role is based in Nettleham, with relocation expenses offered. You will work with elected members and partners to ensure governance, financial sustainability and continuous improvement while

Qualifications

• Proven track record of strategic and operational leadership.
• Experience advising elected members and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to develop leadership capability at all levels.
• Experience managing large budgets and performance while improving outcomes.
• Strong communication and partnership-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction and provide visible leadership across prevention, protection, response, organisational development and emergency planning and business continuity.
• Ensure good governance, financial sustainability and continuous improvement; contribute to corporate priorities.
• Lead with elected members, senior council colleagues, staff and partners at local, regional and national levels.
• Collaborate to shape priorities and strengthen partnerships across the county.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational leadership

Influencing

Budget management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Job description

Chief Fire Officer Permanent, full time 42 hours/week£155,461 per annum plus relocation expenses

Nettleham, Lincolnshire

Lead Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue into its next chapter

Lincolnshire County Council is seeking an exceptional and inspirational Chief Fire Officer to provide strategic leadership. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and a core member of the Corporate Leadership Team, you will ensure the service builds on positive momentum of continual improvement journey, as outlined in the recent HMICFRS report. You will ensure the Service is ready to meet the potential challenge of becoming a stand-alone fire authority or continued collaboration within a political organisation.

The opportunity

You will set the strategic direction and provide visible leadership across prevention, protection, response, organisational development and emergency planning and business continuity. You will work closely with elected members, senior council colleagues, staff, representative bodies, communities and partners at local, regional and national level.

You will ensure good governance, financial sustainability and be able to deliver continuous improvement. As a member of the Council’s senior leadership, you will also contribute beyond the boundaries of Fire and Rescue, helping to shape corporate priorities, strengthen partnership working and deliver positive outcomes for the county.

What you will bring

• A strong record of strategic and operational leadership.
• Credible experience of providing strategic leadership in demanding circumstances.
• The ability to inspire people, build an inclusive and high-performing culture, and develop leadership capability at every level.
• Sound judgement, political awareness and the confidence to advise elected members and senior stakeholders.
• A track record of managing significant budgets, resources, risk and performance while improving value and outcomes.
• Excellent communication, influencing and partnership-building skills, with the credibility to represent the Service regionally and nationally.
• A clear commitment to public service, equality, integrity and the safety and wellbeing of communities and colleagues.

Why Lincolnshire?

Lincolnshire offers an exceptional opportunity to lead where your impact will be visible across an extraordinary county. From the historic city of Lincoln and thriving market towns to vast rural communities, key transport routes and a distinctive coastline, the Service protects people across a uniquely varied landscape. Its scale, geography and changing risks demand bold leadership, innovation and strong partnerships. This is your chance to shape a modern, resilient Fire and Rescue Service, influence the wider future of local public services and make a lasting difference to the communities of Lincolnshire.

Closing Date: Sunday 15th November 2026

Selection Date: Mid December 2026

Data Collection

All application and selection data will be collected and reviewed to ensure a fair process and to identify areas where additional support may be necessary.

Reasonable Adjustment Requests

For candidates with neuro-divergence and disabilities, the process will operate a system of reasonable adjustments to those applicable parts to enable these candidates’ full access to the process whilst ensuring that the assessment process remains valid with all candidates receiving an equitable assessment experience. For the applicable parts of the assessment process, LFR will mirror the IFE position for Reasonable Adjustments to provide continuity and clarity. Although reasonable adjustments must not compromise the validity and reliability of examination results, they should be based on individual needs and reflect the ways in which affected candidates normally work. Applications for reasonable adjustments can be expressed at shortlisting.

Disclosures and Barred Services

Please be advised that the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 now includes the requirement for Fire and Rescue Service employees to have a standard DBS check as a minimum. This legislation change applies to all Fire Services across the country and the process aims to help safeguard colleagues and communities. As a service we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement.

Talent pool scheme

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Politically Restricted Position

Under The Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, this post has been identified as 'politically restricted'. Further information on the Council’s Politically Restricted Posts Policy can be viewed here.

We’re looking for candidates who align with our values- Putting communities first, Integrity, Dignity and Respect, Leadership, Equality Diversity and Inclusion.