Chief Fire Officer / Chief Executive (CFO / CE)

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue; Waingroves; On-site; GBP 173,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional fire and rescue service seeks a Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive to lead the organization, ensuring effective service delivery and driving strategic initiatives for community safety. The role requires proven leadership skills, experience in strategic decision-making, and a relevant Masters-level qualification. Ideal candidates will have a professional firefighter background and a commitment to community engagement. The salary for this position starts at £172,033 per annum, and offers flexible working policies and ongoing training opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Health & wellbeing services

Annual Leave entitlement of 41 days

Qualifications

• Proven success in leading at a strategic level.
• Ability to interpret information for forecasting and decision-making.
• Experience in building high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage organizational change to improve effectiveness.
• Drive strategic priorities and inspire excellence across the organization.
• Support effective service delivery across the organization.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic decision-making

Stakeholder management

Education

Relevant qualification at Masters level (MBA / MSc)

Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) qualified

Leadership Qualification (ILM Level 7)

Job description

Position: Chief Fire Officer / Chief Executive (CFO / CE)

Organisation: Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Starting salary of £172,033 per annum

Location: Based at Headquarters Ripley, with some regional and national travel. NB It is a contractual requirement that the CFO / CE must reside within the County of Derbyshire following appointment. (A relocation allowance to support the above requirement will be available subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. This will be discussed with the successful candidate.)

Hours: 39.5 hours per week

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 11 January 2026

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) serves a population of over 1 million people, living and working within a thousand square miles of some of the most attractive landscapes. This includes, of course, parts of the Peak District National Park. The area is diverse though, with both rural and city areas, including rivers, farms, manufacturing sites, and an extensive road and rail network, all putting varied demands on our firefighters.

DFRS is seeking its next Chief Fire Officer / Chief Executive (CFO / CE), to lead our Service, as we continuously improve, ensuring we are well trained and well equipped. As an inspirational leader, you will empower our people to play their part in Making Derbyshire Safer Together, for all who live, work or visit the area.

We are a high performing, forward thinking organisation and as our next CFO / CE, you will have an impact to shape the future of a respected and ambitious fire and rescue service which celebrates the diversity of our workforce. You will also play a critical role in driving our strategic priorities, not only to inspire excellence across the organisation, but for our people and the communities of Derbyshire too.

To succeed as our next CFO / CE you will be a trusted, community focused leader; a role model, capable of delivering the very best climate and culture for all our people. We are ambitious, and want to be at the forefront, as a modern Fire and Rescue Service. You will share this vision, and have the skills, operationally and strategically, to deliver that vision.

Please see the attached Candidate Information pack and Job Description / Person Specification for more information about this exciting role.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant qualification at Masters level for example MBA / MSc.


• Critical Incident Command training and experience at Gold Command Level 4.


• Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) qualified.


• Leadership Qualification such as; Executive Leadership Programme (ELP), ILM level 7 or equivalent.


• Proven success in leading at a strategic level, ensuring effective performance and service delivery across the organisation.


• A professional Firefighter background.


• Experience of building high-performing teams, including a strong track record of supporting effective relationships with stakeholders and Elected Members.


• Strategic oversight of budgets, prioritisation, and resource allocation.


• Ability to interpret information for forecasting, data driven decision-making, and strategic problem-solving.


• Leading and managing organisational change to improve effectiveness, alongside developing and implementing corporate strategies and plans.

What We Offer in Return

• Flexible working hours.


• Agile working.


• Family friendly policies.


• Annual Leave entitlement in a full leave year of 41 days, inclusive of concessionary and extra statutory days, plus bank holidays.


• Free, secure on-site car parking.


• Health & wellbeing services, including free access to gyms at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service locations.


• Employee discount scheme (Boost) and eligibility to apply for Blue Light Card.


• Employee support networks.


• Enhanced Maternity Pay (subject to meeting eligibility criteria).


• Ongoing training and development opportunities.


• Eligibility to join the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.


• Guidance on the Pension implications of taking a promotion are attached.

How to Apply

We are a Disability Confident employer committed to equality and fairness at work. Applications are encouraged from all diverse communities. Under the Disability Confident scheme, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of applicants with a disability that meet the essential criteria for the role.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People. All staff are expected to share this commitment.

Police security vetting procedures at the appropriate level will be requested for the successful applicant. Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.

Due to the sensitive nature of the duties that the postholder will be expected to undertake, an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be requested for the successful applicant.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 11 January 2026.

For an informal chat regarding the role please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441 or via email at [e-mail].

If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form, please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441 or via email at [e-mail].