Head of Emergency Planning

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Head of the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit. This role focuses on leading emergency preparedness and business continuity across Suffolk. Candidates should have senior level experience in emergency management and strong leadership skills. The position offers a salary between £72,329 and £81,708, with hybrid working options available.

Benefits

29 days annual leave (pro rata)

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Health and wellbeing benefits

Career development opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Proven experience in emergency management, resilience or crisis leadership at a senior level.
• Strong understanding of emergency planning and business continuity.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop plans and procedures for local authority resilience and emergency preparedness.
• Manage the JEPU team and resources effectively.
• Build relationships with senior leaders and partner agencies.

Skills

Emergency management

Crisis leadership

Risk management concepts

Interpersonal communication

Change management

Organizational leadership

Job description

• Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit
• Location: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid working
• Salary: £72,329 - £81,708 per annum (pro rata for part time) plus stand‑by allowance
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

We are looking for an exceptional leader to become Head of the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit (JEPU). This is a pivotal and unique role, leading our countywide approach to emergency preparedness and business continuity. Working with all Suffolk local authorities and key partners in the Suffolk Resilience Forum, you'll ensure our communities are protected, prepared, and able to recover quickly from major incidents.

This is a rare opportunity to influence resilience strategy across multiple organisations and make a tangible difference to the safety and wellbeing of Suffolk.

Your role and responsibilities

As Head of the Joint Emergency Planning Unit, you will provide strong leadership, vision and management to ensure local authority emergency preparedness and business continuity. You will:

• Develop and implement plans, processes, procedures, policies and management structures to secure local authority resilience, emergency preparedness and business continuity.
• Manage the JEPU team, resources, budgets, delivery and reporting effectively, imaginatively and efficiently to maintain and improve joint service levels.
• Provide advice and guidance on local authority resilience issues at all levels of local government and to Suffolk Resilience partners.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with senior leaders, partner agencies and the wider community, communicating clearly and confidently in all situations.
• Champion equality, inclusion and professional development across the team, promoting a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of organisational resilience, supporting change and innovation across local authorities.

About you

We're looking for an experienced, forward‑thinking leader who can combine strategic vision with calm, decisive management in times of crisis.

You will bring

• Proven experience in emergency management, resilience or crisis leadership at a senior level.
• Strong understanding of emergency planning, business continuity and risk management concepts and theories.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills with the ability to provide strategic advice to senior leaders and partners.
• Exceptional organisational and leadership skills, with demonstrable experience of managing complex workloads, people, budgets and projects.
• Experience in change management and developing policies and structures that embed resilience across services.
• Commitment to Suffolk County Council's WE ASPIRE values.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word).

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The JEPU was formed in 2005 between all Suffolk local authorities to provide an emergency planning and business continuity planning service. The team provides a focal point for civil emergency preparedness within Suffolk councils and provides a 24/7 out of hours duty service and initial emergency management capability.

As a senior manager, you will be required to work from Endeavour House in Ipswich or other Suffolk local authority offices, for a minimum of 3 days per week.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Stephen Henthorn, Interim Head of the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing [e-mail] or calling 07920 466340.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).

Step 2 - Click Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Describe your experience leading or supporting emergency management, resilience, or crisis response at a senior level. How did you apply your understanding to deliver effective outcomes?
2. Give an example of when you advised senior leaders or partners during a major incident. What advice did you provide, and how did it shape strategic decisions?
3. Tell us about a change or improvement you led that strengthened organisational resilience or business continuity. What was the outcome?

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a CV or supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing [e-mail] or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 7 December 2025.

Interview date: 14 January 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

#LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance‑related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost‑of‑living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).