Watch Manager

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A fire and rescue service in the United Kingdom is seeking a motivated individual for the position of Watch Manager. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, be a strong team player, and possess significant leadership abilities. Applicants must meet various IS requirements and hold the IFE Level 3 Certificate. This role ensures safety and compliance within team operations and offers comprehensive benefits including pension schemes and agile working options.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Access to employee benefits and discounts

Employer contribution to pension scheme

Qualifications

• Must be substantive in their current role, one role below the position being applied for.
• Competent against the full role map within current role.
• Must hold the requisite IFE or internal gateway examination.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead a team effectively.
• Ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong team player

Culturally aware

Education

IFE Level 3 Certificate Unit 6 - Operations and Incident Command

Job description

About the Role

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has 1 or more vacancies for motivated and committed individuals at Watch Manager level. Individuals will need to be enthusiastic, strong team players, culturally aware with excellent communication skills, and have the ability to work in a dynamic environment.

Internal candidates, please consult and inform your line manager in advance of applying for this position. Vacancies are across the whole of WFRS which utilises different duty systems. Successful candidates will be positioned based on current and future risk critical operational establishment vacancies.

Key Requirements

In accordance with WFRS’s recruitment pathway for promotion, applications are welcomed from personnel who satisfy the following criteria –

• Substantive within their current role, one role below the position being applied for.
• Competent against the full role map within their current role and in maintenance for all elements of NOS.
• In receipt of the requisite IFE examination or internal gateway examination.
• In receipt of the relevant Incident Command Level 1 assessment.
• Must not have a live disciplinary sanction placed against them from a formal disciplinary process.

IFE Requirements

• Watch Manager - IFE Lev 3 Certificate Unit 6 - Operations and Incident Command

Applications from external Watch Managers wishing to apply for a sideways transfer, will be required to complete all stages of the process.

For more information about the role, please click on the candidate pack and job description links below –

• Watch Manager Candidate Pack
• Watch Manager Job Description and Person Specification

For information on the gateway syllabus please click here.

Failure to meet the required deadlines or failure to upload the correct Performance and Behaviours application, IFE certificate, or internal Gateway pass will lead to your application being withdrawn from the process.

Candidates awaiting IFE results from the recent exams (expected mid-January 2026) may apply and progress through the process. In addition, applicants are also permitted to take the WFRS internal gateway assessment (5th January 2026) as an alternative route. If you require an internal gateway exam, please contact [e-mail] by 17th December 2025 at 12:00.

Any offer of progression will be conditional on holding or passing either the IFE or Gateway exam. Evidence of a successful outcome must be provided prior to job offer.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to attend the promotion process dates within any set timeframes.

Additional Information

We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you have any neurodiverse conditions or require adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you by contacting [e-mail].

Candidates will need to demonstrate their professional competence and leadership behaviours as defined in the NFCC Leadership Framework (Leading Others) and Core Code of Ethics.

As part of your application, you are asked to complete and upload the Performance and Behaviours Application, detailing the skills and attributes you hold, which are relevant to this role.

Please make sure your application is updated specifically for this process. Applications at this stage will be reviewed anonymously by the reviewing panel. Using a previous application may not represent your current experience or development. Submitting fresh, tailored information gives you the best change to demonstrate your progress and suitability for this role.

Schedule –

Candidates are advised that due to the nature of these assessments’ dates are not flexible

Performance and Behaviours Application (Stage 1)

Application open date

17th November 2025

Candidate Awareness Session with Q&A opportunity (Microsoft Teams).

Session 1 – 8th December – 19:30 – Link

Session 2 – 16th December – 15:00 – Link

Application closing date

5th January 2026

Gateway exams if required.

5th January 2026.

Print Profile Session

(Only for candidates who have never had a profile)

2nd March 2026 – 10:00 – 12:00

4th March 2026 – 14:00 – 16:00

(Only required to attend one session)

Performance and behaviours practical assessment (Stage 2)

11th March 2026 – 18th March 2026

(You will be invited to and are only required to book onto one AM or PM assessment)

Confirmation assessment (Stage 3)

13th April 2026 – 24th April 2026

(You will be invited to and are only required to book onto one interview assessment)

If you are interested in the role and are unable to attend either of the planned briefing sessions, please contact Station Manager Ian Brooker by email at [e-mail] to arrange a short informal discussion.

Warwickshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Please be advised successful applicants will be subject to a range of pre-engagement checks, including a relevant Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). In accordance with the DBS code of practice and our own policy, should an individual have a declared criminal offence an individual assessment will be completed. Warwickshire County Council adheres to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The Fluency Duty is outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers. The Fluency Duty for this role is Required. You must be able to speak and provide advice in accurate spoken English to the public.

Should you require application forms in an alternative format / language or any adjustments to be made throughout the application process or upon appointment, please contact [e-mail] and we will make every effort to meet your specific requirements.

Warwickshire County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and is keen to address areas of under representation in its workforce. See more

Working for Warwickshire – This is the difference you make

Warwickshire County Council is a place where everyone feels valued, included, safe, supported, and welcome. Our people are at the heart of this vision, could you be one of them!

At Warwickshire County Council we are committed to ensuring Warwickshire’s economy is vibrant and supported by the right jobs, training, skills and infrastructure. Our people vision for Warwickshire County Council is a great place to work where diverse and talented people are enabled to be their best.

Your future matters to us, if eligible, you will be opted into the Firefighters Pension Scheme, which includes an employer contribution rate of typically around 37 percent, to help support your financial security during retirement.

The benefits we offer include agile working, a valuable part of the pay and reward package for employees working in local government, generous annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays and an additional day at Christmas, and access to Vivup benefits and discounts platform.

Click here to view the benefits at Warwickshire County Council.