Watch Manager

Networking Women in the Fire Service; North East; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional fire services organization is seeking a Watch Manager to lead teams and implement service plans that enhance community safety. The role requires strong leadership and interpersonal skills, as well as maintaining positive relationships with employees and trade unions. Eligible candidates must hold an Incident Command Qualification and be either a competent Watch Manager or Crew Manager. Applications are due by January 22, 2026, and an informal discussion can be arranged with the contact provided.

Qualifications

• Substantive competent Crew Manager or competent Watch Manager in a UK Fire and Rescue Service.
• No current capability issues related to competence.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate teams to deliver service plans.
• Promote positive employee relations with staff and trade unions.
• Support local partnerships to improve community outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Innovative thinking

Education

Incident Command Qualification

Job description

We currently have a number of Watch Manager vacancies, at both A and B scales across the service. These vacancies may exist within Community Risk and Response (CRR) on the whole‑time and day staffing system and within various departments, including Training, Technical Services, Prevention and Protection. On conclusion of the process a small holding pool will be generated to support our Supervisory Manager career progression and retirement profile over the next 24 months.

Assessments for these roles will take place throughout February 2026 and will include:

• In‑Tray Exercise
• Presentation
• Interview

Due to the high number of applicants expected for these positions, we will be limiting the number selected for the assessment process to a maximum of 20.

Northumberland is the northernmost county of England, bordering Cumbria, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and the Scottish Borders. We have 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 to the residents over an area of 5,000 sq. km.

The post holder will be part of the supervisory/station/department management team to support the delivery of our ambitious plans to ensure that we really are a Service that “Makes Northumberland Safer” and part of a “council that works for everyone”. Our focus is on delivering an ambitious improvement programme across all parts of the Service. We are interested to seek out highly motivated and competent Crew Manager candidates, as well as inviting applications from substantive Watch Managers from across the fire sector.

The Role

To lead and motivate our teams, to assist in delivering and implementing plans in line with service policies, strategies and plans that support the aspirations of both the County Council and the Fire and Rescue Service. Northumberland is a unique county with a fantastic opportunity for the Fire and Rescue Service to truly be positioned to develop our offering to our communities. This is an exciting time for Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service as we develop the wider partnership offering to support our communities across the county.

The successful candidate will be expected to promote and maintain a positive relationship with all employees and their respective trade unions in the interests of developing a climate of harmonious and constructive employee relations. This role will also support the delivery of the excellent local collaborative working with our key partners and stakeholders to deliver improved local outcomes for our communities.

With excellent leadership, interpersonal and innovative skills, this role will support the services continuous improvement strategy while promoting a positive and innovative organisational culture through genuine staff and community engagement.

The Watch Manager role, depending on the location, is conditioned to either a day shift system within a department or to our whole‑time/day staffing CRR rota, providing emergency response cover within Northumberland relative to the hours of the duty system.

Eligibility & Requirements

To be eligible to apply you must:

• Be a substantive competent Crew Manager or a competent Watch Manager in a UK Fire and Rescue Service.
• Hold a current Incident Command Qualification.
• Have no current capability issues related to competence.
• Have no current formal disciplinary warnings throughout the entire process.
• Have a full UK driving licence.

Candidates should apply online and the closing date for applications is 23:59pm on Thursday 22nd January 2026.

For further information please see the Job Description attached.

Contact

For an informal discussion, please contact:
Joe Hunter (Group Manager)
[e-mail]
Mob: [phone]

Equality and Diversity

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

Alternative Application Format

• British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
• For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930

For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see our website.