Background:

NFCC is looking to recruit a new Lead Officer for Leadership & Organisational Development (OD). The Lead Officer will chair the Leadership & OD Board which reports to NFCC’s People, Culture and Leadership (PCL) Committee and, in turn, this informs and makes recommendations to the Fire Chiefs Council.

The Leadership & OD Board sits alongside three other Boards responsible for delivering the PCL Strategic Plan (People; Equality Diversity & Inclusion; Health and Wellbeing). The Board meets four times per year to oversee and set direction on a range of Leadership and OD-related projects and workstreams which supports achievement of the four Leadership and OD priorities set out in the PCL Strategic Plan:

  • Respect and psychological safety: providing evidence-based resources and support for creating and sustaining respectful and inclusive working environments where colleagues feel safe to raise concerns
  • NFCC leadership development opportunities: ongoing identification of learning and development needs for UKFRS leaders at every level, which informs the continuous improvement of NFCC leadership development offers
  • Competence: developing and embedding a consistent, sector-wide approach to competence in order to meet the long-term needs and challenges facing UKFRS
  • Talent and accelerated development pathways: developing good practice guidance for career progression and staff development opportunities

The role involves:

  • Leading on matters relating to leadership and OD
  • Chairing the Leadership & OD Board which oversees all leadership and OD-related products and workstreams delivered by the PCL Hub
  • Providing strategic-level sponsorship, advice and peer support to the PCL Hub on leadership and OD workstreams
  • Working with relevant external organisations to develop and maintain relationships with FRSs at a strategic level
  • Identify opportunities to collaborate with other NFCC Lead Officers, Hubs, and external partners on related topics
  • Attending and advising the PCL Committee (meets quarterly) on leadership and OD policy and strategy to ensure compliance with relevant laws and leadership and OD priorities

We are looking for a strategic leader who:

  • Is in a Chief Fire Officer, Deputy or Assistant Fire Officer role (or equivalent), with lead responsibility for leadership development and/or OD-related matters in their FRS
  • Has experience of engaging at a national level with multiple stakeholders and the wider industry sector. This includes central government and Trade Unions
  • Has a good understanding of the PCL strategic plan, leadership and OD-related priorities, and current challenges facing the UK FRS workforce
  • Demonstrates a good understanding of the issues and differences in approach required across the UK’s devolved nations
  • Is a great communicator, who conveys a strong commitment towards leadership and OD-related matters in UK FRS
  • Has previous experience of bringing partners together to achieve a common goal

Please note that this is a voluntary opportunity to be undertaken alongside the ‘day job’ and, as such, applicants should consider their individual and organisation capacity to fulfil the requirements listed above.

Note: the next Leadership & OD Board meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday 2nd December 10am-12pm. The successful candidate will ideally be available to attend this first meeting (although not essential).

For the role specifics, please click on this page.

Closing date: 28 November 2025, midday.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity please contact Abigail Hopewell, Head of the People Culture and Leadership Hub abigail.hopewell@nfcc.org.uk

To apply, please complete this form.

Please note, we are unable to accept any other form of application.

Should you have any queries, please email: nfccadminsupport@nfcc.org.uk