Job Description

The Opportunity

Salary:

Group Manager B development 57,743 - competent 64,013 plus 20% Flexi Duty.

Working Pattern:

Full time, average of 42 hours per week.

Location:

Your primary office location will be our Training Centre in Horsham, and you will also have the flexibility to work from other stations throughout West Sussex. Additionally, there will be opportunities for you to work remotely from home, as deemed appropriate for your work responsibilities.

Assessments and Interview:

Incident Command assessments are scheduled for w/c 26 January 2026 and interview from w/c 9 February 2026



West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is on a journey of continuous improvement demonstrating our ability to deliver services that benefit the community. We are proud to have opened the new Horsham Fire Station and Training Centre, where the state-of-the-art facilities place a real emphasis on the continued development of our staff. As we look ahead, we remain committed to continuously improving our organisational culture supporting our mission to empower and support our people to be the best they can be, to deliver to the highest standards when serving our communities and to uphold the values of our fire and rescue service.



As the Group Manager - Operational Preparedness, you will be responsible for leading Strategic & Community Risk, Operational Resilience, Training Planning, Estates Improvements, and Operational Guidance working closely with internal and external partners to coordinate review. You will also lead and manage the delivery of our Community Risk Management Plan projects.



You will lead these areas to create professional, effective and high performing teams, which in turn support the communities of West Sussex to become safer and stronger.



You will be a proven leader, able to influence and steer the efforts of those within your team and external partners that can contribute to the team's and the Service's objectives.



You will be a role model to others, not afraid to challenge behaviour and continually striving for personal and team improvement, aligned to our Code of Ethics.



You will be experienced in running a team or function, demonstrating effective delegation, change management, innovation and decision-making skills.



You will be required to command operational incidents at Level 3/Advanced level.



Please read through our

Community Risk Management Plan Consultation

to find out more about our Strategic Priorities.


What we are looking for


As an inclusive leader, you will create a healthy, motivating, and engaging work environment by building trusting and supportive relationships, encouraging development, recognising achievement and tackling under performance.



You will be a skilled communicator and influencer who can use a variety of engagement methods to work with a diverse range of people, including senior managers and council members, to gain support, improve understanding, or develop others.



You will use your knowledge, competence and experience to set the direction and lead projects, in collaboration with the Head of Operational Training, Safety and Preparedness (OTSP). As well as advising and supporting other Service areas in OTSP related requirements. In turn, ensuring WSFRS aligns to National Standards and complies with legal requirements.

Please see the attached job description for the specific Key Skills, Qualifications and Experience required for this role.

How to apply


To be eligible to apply you must currently be a substantive and competent Station Manager (or higher grade) who has demonstrated and maintained competence against the requirements of the NJC Station Manager role map.



To apply click the Apply Online button at the bottom of this page and upload the following documents.



1. Current CV



Your CV should demonstrate how you meet the qualifications section of the job description, provide a full employment and education history, including reasons for any gaps.



2. Covering Letter



Using evidence-based examples your covering letter should explain how you demonstrate the required key skills and experience in the job description. Your letter should be no more than three sides of A4 long, use font style Verdana, size 11, with normal margins and single line spacing.



3. Incident Command certificate



Upload your Incident Command certificate and if the qualification was attained more than two years ago, also upload evidence of your most recent re-validation.

Selection process overview

Stage 1 - Application submission



Once the advert has closed, our shortlisting panel will review applications. Candidates who have demonstrated they meet the criteria will be invited to the next stage.



Stage 2 - Incident Command Assessment (if candidate does not hold L3 IC qualification)



The incident command assessment will be held in person. Candidates who meet the criteria will be invited to the next stage.



Stage 3 - Presentation and Interview



The presentation and interview will be held in person. Appointments will be subject to a security check, satisfactory references, full medical and fitness assessment.


Further information


The reference number for this role is

CPP01263

.



Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to this advert as you will not have the opportunity to download it again once the advert has closed.



Equality, inclusion and accessibility is very important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.



We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application helppage.



We are immensely proud you are considering joining us as a Group Manager and are here to support you. If you need any support throughout the process would like to speak to someone about the role or selection process, please email us at FRSJOBS@westsussex.gov.uk



Together we will make West Sussex a safer place and have an everlasting impact on our community. We look forward to receiving your application.


Safeguarding Statement


WSFRS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.



Fire & Rescue Service roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent held in the UK or overseas) including driving offences, cautions and/or reprimands. As part of the application process, you will be required to list the dates and details of any sentences if applicable. The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying (please refer to the Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for more information).



Legislation enables Fire & Rescue Services to be eligible for a Standard level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for employees of their Service, including volunteers. You are also required to inform us of any pending or incomplete investigations of a safeguarding nature that are ongoing, or that arise during this period of application and pre-employment. A table of rehabilitation periods for the most common sentences and disposals, and example scenarios can be found here Rehabilitation Periods - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)



LOCATION

Horsham area

CONTRACT TYPE

Permanent

JOB TYPE

Fire and Rescue Service

CLOSING DATE

14 January 2026