Group Manager Promotion-External Candidates in Stafford

This form should be used by external applicants only.

Salary – NJC National Pay scale-Group Manager: £57,743 per annum (Development) to £64,013 per annum (Competent)

Contract Type: Substantive

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service prides itself on the high standard of service it provides and every role has an important part to play in helping keep Staffordshire safe. Every role in Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, including those in the shared service, exists to support the overall aim of achieving a safer and more sustainable community. This can take many forms, including conducting Home Fire Risk Checks, marketing the service to the community, coordinating training, or taking calls in our contact centre. As you can imagine, achieving our overall aim depends on a variety of people with a range of skills, backgrounds and experiences.

About the Opportunity

As a Group Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and direction to teams dedicated to improving safety and resilience across Staffordshire. This is a pivotal position within the Service, where you will lead Service Delivery functions, champion cultural change, and ensure operational excellence. Group Managers play a critical role in shaping strategies, managing performance, and driving organisational improvement. You will oversee multiple stations or departments, ensuring operational effectiveness and alignment with strategic objectives.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Delivering high standards of emergency response and community safety initiatives.
• Overseeing incident command at major emergencies.
• Managing resources efficiently and implementing policies that support risk reduction and resilience.
• Leading training and development, monitoring performance, and fostering collaboration across teams.
• Acting as a vital link between senior leadership and frontline crews, ensuring compliance with legal and safety requirements.

If you are driven, resilient, and passionate about leading people to deliver outstanding results, we want to hear from you. In return, we offer a rewarding role where your leadership will make a tangible difference to the communities we serve.

Skills and Experience

We are seeking high‑performing individuals who embody the Core Code of Ethics in everything they do. We are looking for individuals who demonstrate the following attributes:

• Strong operational knowledge and leadership capability.
• Inspire and engage teams to deliver excellence.
• Self‑motivated and able to manage complex workloads.
• Show commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Champion our core values and behaviours.
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills and support the development of others.
• Understand the Service’s challenges and opportunities and can lead change effectively.

Applicants must be willing to undertake and successfully complete any relevant training for the role.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are welcomed from competent Station Managers and Group Managers or those currently in development. Applicants must be able to demonstrate relevant operational experience and leadership capability.

To apply for this role, you must not be subject to formal disciplinary sanctions, including formal capability. This applies throughout the entire recruitment and selection process from application to placement.

Additional Information

Successful candidates must be prepared to work anywhere in Staffordshire and on any duty system. For additional details about the role please view the Role Map.

How to Apply

Our selection process is designed to assess your individual strengths, behaviours, and the skills and the knowledge you will bring to the role. The process may include:

• Completion of the application form before closing date on 13th February 2026 Midnight 12:00.
• Written assessment.
• Assessment Centre (including interview, presentation).
• Practical assessment (Incident Command).

Closing date for applications: 13th February 2026 Midnight.

To apply please submit your application to include a CV and a Cover Letter outlining your operational experience and leadership capability.

Notable dates:

• Written assessment: 19th February to 26th February 2026.
• Interview dates: 11th to 13th March 2026.

You must be available for all stages of the process.

Further information: While the recruitment process is taking place at present, the role is not expected to be available until later in the year.

Ready to lead, inspire, and shape the future of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service? Apply today and help shape the difference.

Communication During the Recruitment Processes

All communications regarding vacancies are issued via email. We ask that once you have applied that you check your email account regularly. When uploading your details, they will be retained for 12 months, and you may be contacted with relevant information. If you do not wish this to happen, please inform the recruitment team when applying.

Successful Applicants – Reserve List

Please note: Successful candidates will be either offered a role or placed on a Reserve List for future vacancies. Candidates on the Reserve List will remain eligible for placement for up to 12 months. If a suitable role is not available within this timeframe, you will be required to reapply for a future position.

Safeguarding

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children, and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and as part of the process, appropriate checks and relevant safeguarding questions will be carried out.

Positive Action

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Staffordshire. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer, and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability. We use positive action to encourage candidates from these groups through targeted support and advice sessions.

If you have the skills, experience, and values that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service prides itself on, we would love to hear from you.

For more information on Positive Action, please email.

Workplace Adjustments and Accommodations

It is important that you consider at an early stage of the process if you would like to request arrangements that will assist you in completing the selection process. For example, in relation to disability; a neurodiverse condition such as dyslexia; pregnancy; religion or belief; or injury etc. Any requests for workplace adjustments will be treated with the utmost confidence.

For support or further information please email.

Appointment to this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check appropriate to the role. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is committed to keeping vulnerable adults, children, and young people safe from harm in all the work that SFRS undertakes. SFRS recognises that it has a legal and moral obligation to safeguard these groups of people. Furthermore, it acknowledges that the protection of vulnerable adults, children and young people from harm is the responsibility of everybody within the organisation.