Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Officer

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service

Based in Lewes, with some national travel

  • Location Based in Lewes, with some national travel
  • Sector Community Protection
  • Client East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Salary/Remuneration £167,248 to £173,520 (to be determined by the Fire Authority)
  • Reference GSe114372
  • Closing Date 23.59 - Monday 23rd September 2024

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) provides a vital public safety service. Headquartered in Lewes, our 24 fire stations and 40 fire engines respond to a range of emergencies to save life, property and protect the environment. Approximately a third of the population served by ESFRS is within the heavily urbanised and vibrant City of Brighton & Hove. We also work across a large and diverse area on the south coast of England, covering rural locations, as well as a busy city centre and urban seaside towns, including the highest congregation of medium and high rise buildings (per capita) outside of London.

There is much to be proud of in ESFRS, but we know there is always more to be done. Our determination to continually improve means we are seeking a new Chief Executive/Chief Fire Officer (CE/CFO) who will bring a relentless focus on inspiring our people and Service to ever greater levels of performance. We know these are challenging times for all Fire and Rescue Services nationally, with our cultures under scrutiny.  We have set clear expectations and will do whatever it takes to ensure everyone in our team feels safe, supported and included. 

To succeed, you will be a trusted, inspirational role model, capable of delivering the very best climate and culture for all our people. We are ambitious and want to be at the forefront as a modern Fire and Rescue Service. Keeping all our teams at the leading edge of best practice requires constant attention and planning. Transforming our back-office; using technology; seeking collaboration; and developing our people and leaders to face an ever-changing world all require the relentless focus on leadership and innovation we seek.

To find the right mindset and experience we are willing to look outside the norm.  There are many excellent senior leaders in Fire and Rescue Services in this country and overseas; we know that the right leaders would be open to individuals coming in to our sector from other relevant operational settings, in order to inject fresh thinking and innovation for the good of the sector as a whole. 

This is why we want to attract the very best for this role, and so are open-minded about the leadership experiences you bring.  What matters is that you share our ambition for what can be achieved, that you can inspire trust from our people, and can deliver a safer environment for all those who live, work or visit the area.

Having read the available information, if you would like an informal, confidential discussion, please contact GatenbySanderson and speak to Duncan Collins on 07586 705475.

Candidates selected for an operational assessment exercise, and for final panel interview, will be invited to attend Fire Service Headquarters in Lewes on the 24th and 25th October 2024.

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