Competence & Development Manager

Hertfordshire County Council; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire County Council’s Fire & Rescue Service seeks a Competence and Development Manager to lead the L&D function in Stevenage. You will drive a high-quality, cost-effective learning offer aligned to the Service's objectives and governance standards.

You will oversee apprenticeships, digital learning and multiple development programmes while collaborating with HR for workforce planning and talent development. This role advances leadership capability and inclusive practice.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification or CIPD or equivalent experience.
• Substantial experience within Learning and Development, workforce competence, and organisational development in a complex operational environment.
• Knowledge of designing, commissioning and evaluating learning and development programmes.
• Working knowledge of learning management systems and L&D processes.
• Ability to translate organisational priorities into practical L&D solutions.
• Experience planning, prioritising and delivering work across multiple programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Competence and Development team with clear priorities.
• Provide professional advice and deliver a coherent L&D offer.
• Identify service-wide learning needs and oversee development solutions.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, promotion and succession planning.
• Develop inclusive learning programmes and adapt to diverse needs.
• Build partnerships with internal teams and external organisations for delivery.
• Represent L&D at service boards and provide professional guidance.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

L&D strategy

Data analysis

Learning management systems

Education

Degree or CIPD

Tools

Learning Management Systems

Job description

Job Title: Competence and Development Manager

Starting Salary: £48,226 progressing to £53,460 per annum

Hours: 37 per week

Location: Stevenage

Contract Type: Permanent

Directorate: Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service

About the team

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service's Competence and Development function lead the delivery of high-quality, customer-focused and cost-effective learning and development provision that supports operational and organisational performance, strategic objectives, and compliance with statutory requirements. The team contribute to the development and implementation of learning and development strategies, plans and policies, ensuring a joined-up approach to competence, leadership, talent, recruitment, promotion and organisational development across the Service whilst providing professional advice and practical support to improve learning culture, leadership capability and inclusive practice at all levels of the Service

About the role

• Lead and manage the Competence and Development team, ensuring clear priorities, effective delivery and alignment with Service objectives detailed in the EXCEL pillar of the HFRS Community Risk Management Plan.
• Act as the Service's lead officer for Learning and Development, providing professional advice and leading the delivery of a coherent, high-quality, customer-focused L&D offer that supports operational and organisational performance.
• Identify Service-wide learning needs and oversee the design, commissioning, coordination and evaluation of effective, value-for-money development solutions across areas including apprenticeships, digital learning and development programmes.
• Work collaboratively with HR and key stakeholders to support workforce planning, recruitment, promotion, appraisal, talent management and succession planning, ensuring clear development pathways into, through and within roles across the Service.
• Support the development of a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture through leadership, behavioural and inclusive learning programmes, including approaches that support neurodiversity and different learning needs.
• Develop effective partnerships with internal teams, operational training teams and external organisations to promote joined-up training methodologies and deliver L&D programmes to agreed time, cost and quality standards.
• Represent Learning and Development at relevant Service boards and forums below executive level, providing professional advice to inform decision-making and improve practice.
• Ensure robust governance, quality assurance, systems and data processes are in place to support L&D delivery, compliance, performance monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the management and delivery of apprenticeship programmes, ensuring effective use of the levy and compliance with funding and regulatory requirements.
• Manage budgets and resources effectively, ensuring value for money and the efficient use of physical and financial assets.
• Deputise for the Head of Training as required and contribute to wider service leadership and management responsibilities.
• Demonstrate the Core Code of Ethics for Fire and Rescue Services and alignment to the HCC Values and Behaviours.

About you

Essential

• Degree level qualification or relevant professional qualification, such as CIPD, or equivalent experience.
• Substantial experience within Learning and Development, workforce competence, and organisational development in a complex operational and risk critical environment
• Knowledge of designing, commissioning and evaluating learning and development programmes.
• Working knowledge of learning management systems, digital learning tools and L&D processes.
• Ability to translate organisational priorities into practical, effective L&D, competence and organisational development solutions that support service improvement.
• Experience planning, prioritising and delivering work across multiple programmes and activities, balancing operational and organisational priorities.
• Proven ability to lead, manage and develop a team, setting clear direction and maintaining high standards of performance, managing sensitive issues with professionalism and resilience.
• Proven ability to lead, manage and develop a team, setting clear direction and maintaining high standards of performance, managing sensitive issues with professionalism and resilience.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends and use insight to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Ability to build effective working relationships and partnerships with stakeholders, influencing, advising and challenging where necessary to support effective workforce and development decisions.
• Strong commitment to equality, inclusion and the promotion of positive values and behaviours.

Desirable

• Up-to-date and well-developed knowledge of L&D practice, standards, legislation and inspection frameworks relevant to the Fire and Rescue Service.
• Understanding of apprenticeship frameworks, funding requirements and associated regulatory standards.
• Broader awareness of organisational development principles and how learning supports cultural and performance improvement.
• Demonstrates organisational and political awareness, understanding how decisions impact across the Service.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is Level 12. Please locate the job profile here: Job profiles - Corporate services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact [e-mail] or an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: 10th September 2026

Benefits of working for us

Additional information

We are changing

Hertfordshire County Councilis undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings - Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding

This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.