Deputy Chief Fire Officer – Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service

This position is open to all candidates who believe their skills and experience align with the requirements. We value a diverse range of leadership backgrounds and experiences.

We offer a relocation package of up to £8,000 (exempt from Tax and NI) for candidates relocating to within 25 miles of their new work base.

Reimagine the possibilities

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we are proud to have an inclusive workplace where people enjoy coming to work. We’re passionate about making a meaningful impact on the safety of our communities and fostering career growth. That’s why, when you join us as Deputy Chief Fire Officer, you’ll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape the future of our service – and your career.

What you’ll do

• Fostering an inclusive, diverse and supportive workplace culture where staff are listened to, and feedback acted upon.
• Drive forward our Community Risk Management Plan 2023-27 priorities.
• Lead our Performance and Assurance Framework to drive improvement and ensure transparent, evidence-based decision-making.
• Champion our WE ASPIRE values and the NFCC Core Code of Ethics to foster a positive work environment and provide inclusive service to the public.
• Spearhead innovative approaches to recruitment, retention and diversity.
• Balance our Prevention, Protection, Response and Support service activities to best serve our community.
• Provide visible leadership to the service and our four Area Managers, ensuring good programme management is in place to continue a positive inspection outcome.
• Collaborate with partners to enhance efficiency, community safety and resilience.

Why join us?

This is an exciting time to become part of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.

As our new Deputy Chief Fire Officer, you’ll lead a well-performing service that’s reimagining the possibilities for fire and rescue. You’ll have the unique opportunity to shape our future, including developing our brand-new control room in Suffolk.

You’ll join a welcoming and supportive fire family, where your expertise and leadership will be highly valued. We’re all about making sure our staff have a good day, every day, when they come to work. Our senior leaders share this commitment, fostering an ethos of care and wellbeing.

As part of the wider high-performing Suffolk County Council, you’ll benefit from an environment that encourages innovation and growth. Suffolk itself is an exceptional place to live and work, known for its friendly approach, rich history and diverse risk landscape. From urban centres to rural communities and coastal areas, you’ll face varied challenges that will push your skills and creativity.

Reimagine the possibilities that we can offer you. Our support will empower and enable you to build a career to be proud of and become the best you can be. So, join one of the largest employers in Suffolk and make a meaningful impact on your future and ours.

What you’ll bring

• Proven strategic leadership experience in fire and rescue service or similar experience in other organisations.
• Experience of senior leadership within incident management and business continuity.
• A passion for public service and continuous improvement.
• Expertise in performance management and data-driven decision-making.
• Strong partnership-building skills across public and private sectors
• Ability to improve services efficiently.

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

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 visit our leadership page on the Suffolk County Council Careers website for further details.

Please contact Chris Ellis, Executive Assistant to Deputy Chief Fire Officer, for more information about this opportunity or to arrange a confidential discussion. You can reach them by calling 01473 265329 or emailing chris.ellis@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following points below (no more than 500 words in total). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

• Tell us about yourself
• What value would you bring to Suffolk?
• Why are you interested in the role?

Step 4 – Upload a CV and cover letter (without name and personal details).

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

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk 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: 9:00am, 22 October 2024.

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.

About Us

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:

• membership of a competitive Firefighters’ Pension scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• eligibility for a Blue Light card
• family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and pay
• 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).