The role
Salary: Β£77,186 p.a. + 20% Flexi Duty
The Role
As an Area Manager, you will be a member of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service's Strategic Leadership Team, helping to shape the direction, performance and culture of the Service.
You will operate as a senior leader across both GFRS and Gloucestershire County Council, placing communities, colleagues and public value at the heart of decision-making. Working in a complex and evolving environment, you will provide visible leadership, drive improvement and transformation, and help ensure the Service remains safe, effective and trusted by the communities it serves.
Key Responsibilities
π₯ Provide visible, values-led leadership across the Service and wider council environment.
π Lead improvement and transformation activity aligned to the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2026-2030 and Service Plan priorities.
π€ Strengthen organisational culture by promoting trust, accountability, inclusion and professional standards.
ποΈ Build confidence and credibility with staff, representative bodies, elected members, partners and communities.
π Use evidence, insight and local knowledge to target resources effectively and manage community risk.
π Support operational preparedness and resilience, including strategic incident leadership and multi-agency working.
β Contribute to performance, assurance and governance, ensuring the Service remains inspection-ready.
π₯ Develop people and teams, creating an environment where colleagues feel empowered, supported and able to perform at their best.
Key Leadership Priorities
Culture and People
Continue the Service's cultural transformation journey, champion the Workplace Charter and create an environment where colleagues feel valued, respected and able to contribute.
Community Risk and Prevention
Use data, community insight and partnership working to target prevention, protection and response activity where it can have the greatest impact.
Operational Excellence
Maintain safe, effective and resilient response arrangements while adapting to changing risks, emerging demands and national learning.
Transformation and Improvement
Support delivery of the Service's transformation programme and embed sustainable improvement in preparation for future HMICFRS inspection activity.
Rural Response and On-Call Resilience
Contribute to the modernisation of the rural response model and strengthen on-call recruitment, retention and availability.
Climate and Sustainability
Help the Service respond to changing incident demand, including flooding, water rescue and wildfire risks, while supporting sustainable approaches to fleet, equipment and ways of working.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking ambitious and inclusive leaders who can combine operational credibility with strategic thinking and a commitment to continuous improvement.
You will be confident making sound decisions, leading change, building trust and delivering results, whilst never losing sight of people, culture and community outcomes.
Essential Experience and Attributes
β Proven experience of leading people, managing change and delivering organisational improvement.
β Strong understanding of performance management, governance, resource prioritisation and value for money.
β Experience of building effective partnerships across local, regional or national systems.
β Ability to communicate a clear vision, influence constructively and build confidence with a wide range of stakeholders.
β Demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, wellbeing and professional standards.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
β Be competent in a Group Manager or Temporary Area Manager role.
β Hold a valid Level 3 Incident Command qualification (and be willing to work toward achieving Level 4)
β Be eligible to live and work in the United Kingdom without restrictions.
β Have no live formal disciplinary sanctions and no current performance improvement plan relating to poor performance.
β Be medically fit to undertake the role.
β Hold a full current driving licence.
β Be able to maintain a residential base within Gloucestershire, or within an area approved by the Chief Fire Officer.
β Be willing and able to travel locally, regionally and nationally as required.
β
Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to support colleagues across professional disciplines and changing organisational priorities.
Special Conditions
- A satisfactory DBS check will be required prior to appointment.
- Security clearance will be required.
- The successful candidate will participate in the appropriate Grey Book duty rota.
- Candidates may be allocated a service vehicle for business use as part of duty rota arrangements, subject to the relevant policy and operational requirements.