At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and drive excellence in public service.
- Company: Join Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, a key player in community safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence policy and engage with communities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public safety and inspire cultural change.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and strong decision-making skills.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 90000 € per year.
Are you an accomplished Strategic Leader seeking the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within public service? Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is seeking an Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) to join its Strategic Leadership Team to provide exceptional leadership and drive organisational excellence.
About the Role
As ACFO you will support the Strategic Leadership team in delivering the Service’s vision and strategic objectives. You will provide strategic leadership at the highest level, ensuring the successful delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), driving organisational transformation, fulfilling statutory requirements, and adhering to national guidance, while also serving as one of the organisation’s Strategic Incident Commanders.
The role is a uniformed operational role and conditioned to The National Joint Council for brigade managers of Fire and Rescue Services constitution and scheme of conditions of service (Gold book) – sixth edition and the firefighters pension scheme.
In this role, you will set and drive high performance across all aspects of service delivery, ensuring clear accountability, strong assurance and a culture where excellence is the standard. You will lead by example, consistently demonstrating and embedding the Core Code of Ethics in every aspect of your leadership, decision‑making and organisational influence.
You will operate confidently within a politically accountable environment, building constructive, trust‑based relationships with representative bodies, partners and stakeholders. Your leadership will be visible, credible and grounded in integrity, enabling you to inspire cultural change and strengthen organisational performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership across all Service functions, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and long‑term objectives.
- Ensure operational effectiveness and compliance with all relevant legislative and sector requirements.
- Promote a culture of safety, continuous improvement, accountability, and evidence‑based decision‑making.
- Build strong and effective relationships with partners, stakeholders, and elected members to support public safety, enable collaborative working, and strengthen stakeholder engagement.
- Represent the Service nationally, regionally, and locally, influencing policy and outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and welfare obligations.
- Provide senior strategic command at major and critical incidents, ensuring authoritative leadership and sound decision‑making.
- Oversee effective multi‑agency coordination to maintain operational assurance, public safety, and organisational resilience.
- Act as a role model for the Core Code of Ethics, ensuring ethical behaviours, fairness, integrity, and accountability across the organisation.
- Support the development of leaders at all levels, championing inclusion, wellbeing, and high performance.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer – Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service employer: National Fire Chiefs Council Limited.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an exceptional employer that prioritises public service and community safety, offering a unique opportunity for strategic leaders to make a significant impact. With a strong commitment to employee development, a culture of continuous improvement, and a focus on ethical leadership, the organisation fosters an inclusive environment where high performance is celebrated. Working in Staffordshire not only provides a chance to influence local and national policies but also allows you to be part of a dedicated team that values collaboration and public engagement.
Contact Detail:
National Fire Chiefs Council Limited. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Chief Fire Officer – Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fire and rescue sector. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their Community Risk Management Plan and think about how your leadership style aligns with their goals. We want you to shine, so practice answering common interview questions and have some examples ready that showcase your strategic leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s also a chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Assistant Chief Fire Officer position. Keep it professional but let your personality shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to check our website regularly for new job postings. We’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our team, and applying directly through our site can give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Chief Fire Officer – Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Assistant Chief Fire Officer role. Highlight your strategic leadership experience and how it relates to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We want to see how you lead! Use your written application to demonstrate your leadership style and how you've successfully driven organisational change in the past. Share examples that illustrate your ability to inspire and engage teams.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. This will help us quickly understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our mission at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that your application is processed correctly and gives you the best chance of being considered for the role. We’re excited to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Fire Chiefs Council Limited.
✨Know Your Strategic Leadership
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer role. Familiarise yourself with the Community Risk Management Plan and how it aligns with the Service’s vision. Be ready to discuss how your previous experiences have prepared you to drive organisational transformation and lead at a strategic level.
✨Demonstrate Your Ethical Leadership
The Core Code of Ethics is crucial in this role. Prepare examples that showcase your commitment to integrity, fairness, and accountability. Think about times when you've had to make tough decisions while maintaining ethical standards, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Build Relationships and Collaborate
This position requires strong relationship-building skills. Come prepared with examples of how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders, partners, or community members in the past. Highlight your ability to foster trust-based relationships and how this has positively impacted service delivery.
✨Showcase Your Crisis Management Skills
As a Strategic Incident Commander, your ability to lead during critical incidents is vital. Be ready to discuss your experience in managing emergencies, including your decision-making process and how you ensured operational effectiveness. This will demonstrate your capability to handle high-pressure situations confidently.
