Group Manager, Response and Assurance

Networking Women in the Fire Service; Reading; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic and resilient individual for a Group Manager role within their progressive fire service. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead teams, drive change, and improve community services. The successful candidate will be a confident leader with excellent communication skills and a commitment to equality and inclusion. With a focus on continuous improvement, this role is integral to delivering effective prevention and response strategies. Join a dedicated team committed to making a positive impact in the community and enjoy a supportive work environment with excellent benefits.

Benefits

Flexible Duty Allowance

Access to a Lease Car

Superb Pension Schemes

Onsite Gym

Parking Facilities

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead teams and inspire high performance.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Evidence of continual professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop teams within the fire service.
• Drive forward change initiatives in a dynamic environment.
• Implement plans for prevention and resilience activities.

Skills

Leadership

Change Management

Communication Skills

Continuous Improvement

Team Management

Education

Advanced Incident Command Qualification

Job description

Salary and Grade:

· Group Manager – Response and Assurance: £55,953 – £57,632 per annum

+ 20% Flexible Duty Allowance (Flexi-duty officer rota)

+ CPD – Apply for 1 year following competency

Location –Various Stations / Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading

Access to a Lease Car / provided car Scheme

Superb Pension Schemes available

Onsite gym and parking facilities

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is a progressive and community-focused organisation that works as one team to deliver services to the people of Berkshire. We have an engaged and dedicated team of some 700 diverse and talented individuals, an inclusive and progressive culture as well as a commitment to the training, development and wellbeing of our people.

We are looking for a dynamic, adaptable and resilient individual to join our Service in a Group Manager Role.

We are seeking a candidate for a permanent GM role. However, please note that the RAM role is a fixed-term position, expected to last approximately two years. At the end of this period, an alternative GM vacancy will be sought for the successful candidate. This arrangement is due to the current postholder being seconded elsewhere within the Service

About you:

You will be motivated, forward-thinking and looking for an opportunity to lead and develop within RBFRS. You will be able to maintain effective working relationships by acting with integrity and operating with credibility. You will seek opportunities to lead continuous improvement and change initiatives within your areas of responsibility. You’ll be:

· People focused, with proven ability to lead teams inspiring high performance

· able to drive forward change in a complex and dynamic organisation

· passionate in improving and delivering services to our communities

· have a good understanding of local and national issues affecting the sector.

Key role requirements for a Group Manager:

· Confident, inspiring and effective team leader

· Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

· Innovative thinking and openness to change

· Excellent communication skills across a range of stakeholders

· Evidence of continual professional development

Group Manager – Response and Assurance

This role is integral to the effective delivery of prevention, protection, response and resilience activities, developing and implementing plans, and contributing to the future strategies of the directorate.

For details of the key role specific requirements please see the Job Profile

· Please see the link to the job profile for the Group Manager – Response and Assurance.

Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from Group Managers, Station Managers or Competent Watch Managers in receipt of CPD, with evidence of acquisition of knowledge and understanding relating to people and process management. Competent in ICS L2 with relevant / ongoing incident command experience / organisational assurance and provide evidence of this qualification.

You will need to successfully acquire L3 Advanced Incident Command qualification (Skills for Justice Awards – Fire) within 6 months of appointment, as appropriate.

You will be required to pass a relevant medical assessment as appropriate, and a fitness test (or evidence of recent pass may be acceptable – subject to checks).

You will also need to satisfy the requirements of an Enhanced DBS check with Child Barred.

Please note that it is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying/accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge. Further information on Annual Allowance can be obtained from our Pensions team.

Application and selection process

Eligible staff wishing to apply for this promotion process should apply through the portal, Please submit a CV and a supporting statement (restricted to 2000 words) detailing how your behaviours, knowledge, skills and experience meet the job profile / person specification for the role.

If you are interested in applying for these positions please click Apply now

Please note, you will only be shortlisted on information you provide in the supporting statement and CV. If we receive more interest than interviews we can facilitate, we will look to take the top scoring candidates through to the interview stage.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a behavioural / competency and role based interview with task, please see below.

Please see the task instruction and presentation template (optional use) for the process. Task details have been provided ahead of time to facilitate preparation.If shortlisted, you will be required to present to the recruitment panel prior to your interview. You must submit any documentation by 10:00am on Monday 9 June 2025. If you are shortlisted, this should be sent via email to [e-mail].

Closing date for Applications is 09:00am on Monday 2 June 2025

Shortlisting – 2 – 5 June

Task due – 10:00am on 9 June 2025

It is anticipated that the assessment process will run from the 9 June to 27 June 2025

Please note we do not accept applications via Agencies or CV’s without an accompanying application form.

For further details about the role please contact David Grayson on [e-mail] to arrange an informal discussion.

For further details about the role or to simply discuss any adaptations or adjustments we can make to assist you in your application or with our recruitment process please contact Ellece Ott, Resourcing Adviser at [e-mail].

The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with theJob Profile/Person Specificationand ourBehavioural Competency Frameworkas attached.

The Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. The behaviours detailedwithin the job profile will be assessed throughout the selection process.

Disclosure and Barring Service

Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, that is appropriate to the role applied for.

Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Statement.

Please view our privacy notice via this link Applicant Privacy Statement

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity. All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.

Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.

Applications are welcome for job-share or part time arrangements please enquire on application.

All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Disability Confident Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).

To find out more:https://www.rbfrs.co.uk/your-service/about-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/