Group Commander - Promotional Talent Pool

Surrey County Council; Reigate; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service organization in Reigate is seeking a Group Commander for their Fire and Rescue Service. This role involves leading service-wide improvements and modeling excellent leadership. The ideal candidate should have a strong record of managing high performing teams and a commitment to community engagement. The position offers a permanent contract with a focus on ethical decision-making and inclusive leadership. Applications close on December 5, 2025.

Qualifications

• Strong record of leading high performing teams at middle management level.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage service-wide improvements.
• Role model excellent leadership behaviours.
• Deliver the 2025-2030 Community Risk Management Plan.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Performance improvement

Ethical decision-making

Inclusive leadership

Job description

Group Commander - Promotional Talent Pool

Details

• Reference: SCC/TP/377198/4157
• Positions: 20
• Salary: NJC pay scales plus Surrey allowance
• Category: Fire and Rescue
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 42 hours per week
• Posted on: 10 November 2025
• Directorate: Chief Executive Office
• Location: Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate

Group Commander Pool – Promotional Opportunity

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is seeking high performing candidates to enter the Group Commander (GC) Promotional Pool. Successful candidates will be considered for several GC roles required in the near future.

You will make a significant contribution to the leadership of SFRS, leading service-wide improvements, role modelling excellent leadership behaviours that support our ongoing cultural transformation, and delivering our new 2025–2030 Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP).

By 2030, we want Surrey to be: "A uniquely special place where everyone has a great start to life, people live healthy and fulfilling lives, are enabled to achieve their full potential and contribute to their community, and no one is left behind."

Why Not You?

This opportunity is ideal for candidates with a strong record of leading high performing teams at middle management level.

• Excellent stakeholder management (internal and external).
• A commitment to performance improvement.
• Ethical decision-making and inclusive leadership.
• Alignment with the Core Code of Ethics.
• If you're passionate about making a difference to our communities and staff, and looking to lead and develop within SFRS, this could be the right fit for you.

Application Instructions – Promotions Process

As part of your application to join the promotional pool, you are required to submit the following:

• Personal Statement
• Line Manager's Endorsement

The Personal Statement and Line Manager's Endorsement must be submitted by uploading a completed Promotions Application Template document.

This document includes:

• A Personal Statement (maximum 500 words) demonstrating your suitability for promotion.
• A Line Manager Endorsement section confirming your eligibility and readiness (maximum 300 words).

Steps to Complete Your Application

Download the Application Template

• Complete Section 1 – Personal Statement
• Ensure your statement reflects your understanding of the role.
• Link your examples to the Leadership Behavioural Framework and Core Code of Ethics.
• Stay within the 500-word limit.

Request Line Manager Endorsement

• Your line manager must complete Section 2.
• If your line manager is unavailable, seek endorsement from your grandparent manager.

Upload the Completed Document

• Save the completed template.
• Upload it as part of your online application
• Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
• Ensure spelling and grammar are checked before uploading.
• If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Hub.
• For those who are reapplying – If you've previously taken part in this process, you'll only need to complete the stage(s) you were unsuccessful in (for example, if your were previously unsuccessful at Stage 2, you would not need to repeat Stage 1).

Selection Process Timeline

• GC Process Applications: 10 November – 5 December 2025
• SHL Profiling: 10 November – 5 December 2025
• Stakeholder Engagement Panel (Online): 12–16 January 2026 (candidates will attend an online meeting with key organisational stakeholders. This is not a formal presentation but an opportunity to engage and demonstrate collaborative working)
• Test of Potential Assessment: 26–30 January 2026
• Final Interview: 16–18 February 2026 (formal interview with the selection panel)

Why Surrey Is Your Future

SFRS protects over 1.2 million people across 650 square miles. We operate from 25 fire stations, with our Training Centre at Wray Park and HQ at Woodhatch Place, both in Reigate.

As part of Surrey County Council, we contribute to the county's Community Vision, focusing on prevention, services for vulnerable people, and collaboration with partners. Our strategic direction is set out in the 2025–2030 CRMP.

Further information: www.surreycc.gov.uk/community/fire-and-rescue

Our Core Code of Ethics

Putting our communities first

• We put our communities first. We do this by putting the interest of the public and service users first.

Integrity

• We act with integrity. We show this by being open, honest and consistent in everything we do.

Dignity and respect

• We act with dignity and respect. We show this by making decisions objectively based on evidence, without discrimination or bias.

Leadership

• We are leaders. We show this by being positive role models, always demonstrating flexibility and resilience, we’re all accountable for everything we do and challenge behaviour that falls short of the highest standards.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

• We are ambassadors of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). We show this by continually recognising and promoting the value of EDI both within the FRS and the wider communities in which we serve. We stand against all forms of discrimination, create equal opportunities, promote equality, foster good relations and celebrate differences.

Equal opportunities

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. As a Disability Confident Employer we actively support candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions throughout the recruitment process.

• Applications close at 23:59 on 05.12.2025