Group Commander (Response)

Overview

In this role you drive strategic and operational leadership across the Response function to deliver safe, resilient emergency response. You will lead station-based teams, ensure readiness and continuous improvement, and shape service-wide performance through incident learning and assurance. You’ll contribute to the Community Risk Management Plan and foster a professional, inclusive, high-performing culture. This is a mission-focused opportunity to influence Surrey’s fire and rescue service across a wide geographic area.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working arrangements
• salary: 71,924.40–79,734.00 per year
• Surrey Allowance: 1,754 per year
• Continuous Professional Development payment: 949 per year
• 20% flexi-duty officer allowance where applicable
• opportunity to contribute to public safety and community impact

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Response function for safe, resilient emergency response
• Undertake Level 3 Incident Command if required for complex incidents (Flexi Duty System Officer)
• Lead and develop station-based teams and operational managers, driving accountability and continuous improvement
• Oversee operational readiness, crewing, appliance availability, and deployment of people/resources
• Ensure compliance with legislation, Fire Standards, National Operational Guidance, service policy and SOPs
• Use performance data, debriefs, and learning to identify risks and drive improvements
• Lead and contribute to projects and change programmes to enhance operational effectiveness and resilience
• Manage establishments and physical resources in line with service priorities
• Build relationships with representative bodies, internal units, partners and other services
• Champion staff wellbeing, inclusion and ethical decision-making

Key requirements

• Substantive Station Commander in the SFRS Group Commander Boarding Pool or existing SFRS Group Commander
• Experience leading high-performing operational teams
• Thorough understanding of operational assurance, workforce planning, and SFRS SOPs
• Current accredited Level 3 Incident Command qualification (and ongoing CPD)
• Strong knowledge of National Operational Guidance, Fire Standards, health and safety responsibilities
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, judgement and decision-making
• Experience in project/change management and data-driven improvement
• Proficient with IT systems and full UK driving licence
• Eligibility to work in the UK, DBS checks and British Security Clearance
• No active capability action plan or disciplinary issues

• leadership
• communication
• stakeholder management
• Level 3 Incident Command
• operational assurance and workforce planning
• National Operational Guidance

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