Head of Planning and Business Change in Exeter

Based at Service Headquarters, Exeter. Full time (37 hours per week). Permanent contract. Starting salary £66,861 rising annually to £70,630 (gross) per annum. Join Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service - England's largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service - and help shape the future of the service we deliver to the communities of Devon and Somerset. We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our Service Leadership Team and be the Head of Planning and Business Change.

About the role

This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving organisational change, strategic planning, performance management, and continuous improvement across the Service. You will lead our Performance, Planning, Innovation and Change teams, including Business Analysis and the Portfolio Management Officer (PMO), ensuring the successful delivery of corporate plans and transformational programmes aligned to our Community Risk Management Plan and strategic priorities. You will provide expert leadership and assurance to the Executive Board, overseeing a high performing portfolio of projects and ensuring effective governance, resource management, benefits realisation, and stakeholder engagement.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop a culture of excellence, collaboration, and best practice across planning, performance and change functions.
• Work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders to deliver sustainable and effective organisational change and improvement.
• Drive strategic planning and align programmes with organisational priorities and long-term objectives.
• Lead and manage the Service's change portfolio, ensuring successful delivery of projects on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards.
• Oversee PMO governance, portfolio reporting, risk management, and benefits realisation.
• Lead business analysis and continuous improvement activities to support innovation and operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Provide strategic advice on programme and project management methodologies including PRINCE2, MSP, MoP and Agile approaches.

About you:

You will be a strategic and collaborative leader with significant experience in corporate planning, performance improvement, organisational change and portfolio management. You will bring strong leadership, governance, and stakeholder engagement skills, along with the ability to deliver measurable outcomes in a complex organisation. You will contribute to a positive working environment ensuring commitment to Service Values and NFCC Core Code of Ethics.

Eligibility Criteria:

• PRINCE2 Practitioner (or other level 7 equivalent related qualification) and be Agile certified.
• Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Certified and Management of Portfolios (MoP) Certified or Portfolio, Programme and Project Officer (P30) certified.

At Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service your work will make a real difference to the communities we serve. In return, we offer:

• Flexible working options.
• Generous pension scheme and annual leave.
• Health and wellbeing support, including gym access, physiotherapy and counselling.
• Family friendly policies.
• Blue Light Membership and associated discounts.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge and experience of senior / strategic level management, developing and leading high performing teams including multi-disciplinary teams across delivery functions.
• Experience of managing complex strategic organisational change processes which have significant resources and impact.
• An understanding and awareness of local and national issues that affects or may influence the objectives and strategic direction of the organisation.
• High levels of interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, confidence, credibility and integrity in the delivery of services.
• Able to articulate the vision for the organisation.
• High level analytical skills and the ability to think, plan and act strategically and corporately with a creative and innovative approach to problem solving, delivery of outcomes and managing organisational change.
• Extensive knowledge and proven experience of successful strategic level change and project management, within a structured Portfolio Management Officer (PMO) environment.

Our values

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services Safeguarding Policy. Fire and Rescue Authority 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) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, and as such any positive disclosure will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response.

As a Service and as individuals:

• We are proud to help.
• We are honest.
• We are respectful.
• We are working together.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to consider working for us.