Job Overview

Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service – an ambitious, collaborative senior leadership team is looking for two Area Managers to join us.

• Location: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX – Hybrid working
• Salary: £72,329 - £93,693 per annum*
• Hours: 37 or 42 hours per week* – Flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent and Fixed‑term/Secondment available
• Note: Salary and working hours vary depending on operational fire officer terms or local government terms. Full details are in the Job and Person Profile (see 'How to Apply').

These senior leadership roles are open to strategic leaders from fire and rescue services and other sectors.

Area Manager Roles

• Area Manager (Permanent) – portfolio allocated from one of our core areas: Organisational Risk and Improvement, Protection and Prevention, People and Resources, or Response.
• Area Manager – Strategic Devolution and Transformation Lead – Fixed‑term or Secondment for two years.

Job Highlights

• Strategic influence on transformative change across Suffolk.
• Drive high performance, continuous improvement and innovative solutions.
• Champion core values and impact community safety and wellbeing.
• Permanent role supports operational and organisational leadership; fixed‑term role leads on strategic devolution and transformation.

Key Responsibilities And Leadership Expectations

• Demonstrate deep understanding of challenges and opportunities facing the Fire and Rescue Service.
• Apply a strategic understanding of governance.
• Drive transformational change through innovative and strategic approaches.
• Show resilience and effectiveness in fast‑paced, evolving environments with limited clarity.
• Act as a visible role model for organisational values and professional standards.
• Inspire and motivate others through inclusive, open and engaging leadership.
• Lead initiatives that embed equality, diversity and inclusion across the Service.
• Exhibit strong strategic planning and decision‑making skills.
• Communicate, negotiate and influence effectively at all levels.
• Manage people and resources to achieve strategic priorities.
• Provide clear strategic and policy guidance to support sound decision making.
• Lead complex initiatives and major organisational change.
• Build trusted partnerships and cross‑functional collaboration that delivers innovation and continuous improvement.

Operational Fire Officer Add‑On Responsibilities

• Performance Incident Command at Level 4 as part of the Duty Officer rota.
• Assume Strategic Command in the absence of a Principal Officer.
• Provide an operational response to Ipswich within one hour.

Eligibility Requirements

• Area Managers (or above) serving with a UK Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service.
• Competent Group Managers with proven experience in a similar role within a UK Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service.
• Middle/Senior Managers with relevant experience.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of diverse ideas. We constantly seek ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be their best. We aim to represent the diverse communities we serve and welcome applications from all individuals, especially those currently under‑represented. For more information, see our Workforce Equality Report.

Contact Information

Henry Griffin (Deputy Chief Fire Officer) – henry.griffin@suffolk.gov

Recruitment Team – sfrs.recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk

For further details, visit the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service webpage for our Community Risk Management Plan, Service Plan, and HMICFRS Inspection.

How to Apply

1. Read the relevant Job and Person Profile (JPP):
   • Area Manager (Permanent) JPP (Word)
   • Area Manager – Strategic Devolution and Transformation Lead JPP (Word)
2. Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
3. Upload a supporting statement (no more than 500 words in total) that details how your experience over the past three years meets the criteria and demonstrates your suitability for the role. Use the Supporting Statement template.
4. Upload a CV (without name and personal details). Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Supporting documents must be PDF or MS Word.

Please contact our HR Recruitment Team for reasonable adjustments to the application process: recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. Adjustments can also be requested after being invited to a later stage of selection.

Important Dates

• Closing date: 19 November 2025
• Assessment centre dates: 1 and 2 December 2025
• Interview dates: 8 and 9 December 2025
• Provisional start date: Early 2026

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. DBS 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 flexible working options that reflect how people work today and invest time in understanding and supporting individual needs. We are 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.

Benefits

• Up to 40 days annual leave entitlement (pro‑rated)
• Membership of a competitive Firefighters' Pension scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Eligibility for a Blue Light card
• A lifetime of support from the Firefighters Charity for you and your loved ones
• Family‑friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and pay
• Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• An annual cost‑of‑living pay increase
• Access to national training schemes facilitated by the Fire Service College, Women in the Fire Service and the Asian Fire Service Association
• 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).