Group Manager (B)

Networking Women in the Fire Service; North East; On-site; GBP 69,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service seeks a Group Manager to oversee critical departments and lead significant improvement programs. Candidates will need exceptional leadership and communication skills, with responsibilities that include managing incidents and engaging with stakeholders. The role offers a competitive salary with additional benefits, including support for community integration and operational management.

Benefits

Flexible duty officer rota

Local government discount schemes

Staff networks for support and development

Qualifications

• High levels of leadership skills aligned to the NFCC Leadership Framework.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders.
• Experience managing operational incidents as Incident Commander.

Responsibilities

• Support the County Council's aspirations and lead continuous improvement strategies.
• Manage and lead operations during incidents and provide emergency response.
• Integrate services within the council and develop community offerings.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project Management

Job description

Job Information

We are interested to seek out highly motivated and experienced candidates at competent Station Manager levels, as well as inviting applications from existing Group Managers from across the fire sector.

We are preparing for Group Manager vacancies across the service. The current Group Manager roles within NFRS are responsible for leading the following departments – Fire Safety, Technical Services, Training Assurance and Safety (TAS), and Community Risk and Response (CRR).

Northumberland is the northernmost county of England, bordering Cumbria, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and the Scottish Borders with an outstanding North Sea coastline of 103 km and a county of rural natural beauty. The county is steeped in history and heritage and with a population of over 300,000 residents, the council provides a wide range of services across over 5,000 sq. Km, one of the largest counties in England. Northumberland County Council is seeking to appoint to a key post within Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service.

The post holder will be part of the senior management team to support the delivery of our ambitious plans to ensure that we really are a “land of great opportunities”. They will be expected to help deliver an ambitious improvement programme across all parts of the service.

You will be expected to:

• Support the aspirations of both the County Council and the Fire and Rescue Service by enabling further integration within the County Council and developing our offering to our communities.
• Lead on the services continuous improvement strategies while supporting a positive and innovative organisational culture.
  Demonstrate exceptional leadership skills aligned to the ‘Leading the Function’ elements of the NFCC Leadership Framework.
• Lead change in a complex and evolving environment.
• Have excellent communication skills and an ability to engage constructively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Have demonstrated high levels of ability with regard to the implementation and management of key projects
  Model our values and behaviours; promoting a culture which embraces collaboration, inclusivity, high performance and wellbeing, and you will strive to make a real difference to the communities we serve.
• Manage and lead operational incidents as Incident Commander, or in other incident command support roles in accordance with the requirements of EFSM2 and local standard operating procedures.
• Provide emergency response across all areas of Northumberland and be conditioned to our Flexi Duty Officer Rota. The requirement of providing a base within the service will be discussed with those candidates who may consider applying from outside of Northumberland.

For further information please see the Job Description in the supporting documents attached to this advert.

If you are interested in this exciting role, we would welcome an informal discussion with you. For an informal discussion about the role please contact:

Mr Steve Kennedy, Temporary Deputy Chief Fire Officer on 07771865875 or Email: [e-mail]

We are offering a salary range of £69,292 to £76,816 depending upon experience which includes a pensionable supplement of 20% of the basic pay for working on the flexible duty system.

Closing date for applications will be midnight on 24th of August 2025.

Group discussions, interviews, and presentations will take place across the weeks commencing the 1st, 8th and 15th of September 2025.

On conclusion of this process a small talent pool will be generated to support our future senior management team retirement profile across the next 12-18 months.

We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:

• Being conditioned to the flexi duty officer rota where a vehicle will be provided whilst on duty.
• Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along with various national brands.
• Staff networks – run by staff, for staff, providing opportunities for peer networking, mutual support, staff development, e.g., Armed Forces, ASD, Enable (disability), Carers, LGBT+, Menopause, Mental Wellbeing, Race Equality.