Head of Fleet (Kent / Essex)

Essex Police; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK police authority is seeking an experienced Head of Fleet to oversee fleet operations in Kent and Essex. The successful candidate will set strategic directions and manage large vehicle fleets, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and budget management. This pivotal role requires strong leadership skills, experience in fleet management, and the ability to drive cultural change. Join a dedicated team and make a difference in public safety operations.

Benefits

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion initiatives

Support networks for professional growth

Qualifications

• Proven track record in managing complex transport and fleet operations.
• Experience within the public sector or emergency services.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for Transport Services.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation.
• Manage significant budgets for vehicles and ancillary equipment.
• Lead and motivate a multi-disciplinary team.
• Build partnerships with external organizations.

Skills

Leadership

Fleet management

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Job description

Location of Role : Kent / Essex

Advert Closing Date : 14 / 01 / 2026

Job Grade / Rank : Grade J / SPS 6

Part / Full Time : Full Time

Contract Type : Permanent

Working Pattern : Mon-Fri

Weekend / Evening Working : No

Kent Police and Essex Police Transport Services are seeking a full-time Head of Fleet to lead and shape the future of our fleet operations, you will be responsible for a large vehicle fleet in each county. This is a pivotal role for a dynamic and strategic leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and brings extensive experience in fleet management. You’ll join a talented, motivated team and play a key part in delivering high-quality, efficient, and safe services that support operational policing.

It is a tremendously exciting time to be joining and leading the department, as both organisations transition the fleet and our operations for the rapidly evolving vehicle landscape.

Key Responsibilities :

• Set the strategic direction for Transport Services, including repair, maintenance, new vehicle builds, and fleet support, with a strong focus on fleet electrification and the Government’s Net Zero Strategy.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation and maintain safe workshop operations.
• Act as the “Head of Profession” for fleet management, advising on specialist vehicles, including high-performance and response vehicles.
• Manage significant budgets for vehicles, marine, and ancillary equipment, ensuring robust financial control.
• Drive efficiency and service quality using data and systems to reduce costs and meet duty of care obligations.
• Lead and motivate a multi-disciplinary team, fostering development and high performance.
• Oversee leasing contracts, insurance, vehicle disposals, and other key administrative functions.
• Build partnerships with external organisations, identifying income generation and sponsorship opportunities.
• Stay informed on developments affecting police transport services and contribute to policy and strategic planning.

About You :

You’re an accomplished senior leader with a proven track record in managing complex transport and fleet operations, ideally within the public sector or emergency services. You excel at driving cultural change, embedding vision into strategy, and achieving results through collaboration and strong stakeholder engagement.

Commercially astute, you’re confident managing large budgets, contracts, and supplier relationships while maintaining a focus on innovation and operational excellence. Your leadership style inspires and motivates teams, and you bring exceptional communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

With expertise in transport logistics, project management, and business continuity, you combine strategic thinking with hands-on operational know-how. Political awareness, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous professional development complete your profile.

If you believe this opportunity is the right fit for you, we encourage you to submit an application that clearly demonstrates how your skills, experiance and achievements align with the requirements outlined above.

Join us and help drive innovation and excellence in our fleet services - your expertise can make a real difference.

Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances, you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.

If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

Essex Police is a Disability Confident Leader, we :

• Have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation.
• Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusionare central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.

Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&CI team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&CI commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.

Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.

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