Assistant Director (Operational Area Commander) in Worcester

Salary: Area Commander B in line with NJC Grey Book pay scales plus 20% flexi duty allowance and 9.6% supplement for working a locally agreed Area Commander rota pattern

Location: Based at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service HQ, Hindlip Park, Worcester, WR3 8SP

Contract: Full time, permanent plus pension and benefits including provided car with option for personal use, subject to taxation and mileage charges.

Closing date: Friday 25th September 2026 at 12:00 noon

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is pleased to invite applications for the role of Assistant Director (Operational Area Commander aligned to the ‘grey’ book terms and conditions).

HWFRS is a forward thinking and dynamic organisation looking for talented, positive and inspirational individuals to join our strategic team across locations stretching east to west from the Cotswolds to the mid-Wales border, and from the outskirts of Birmingham in the north, to the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the south – with the Malvern Hills AONB right at the heart of the two counties.

Our stations are crewed by a mix of Wholetime and On-Call Firefighters, supported by Fire Control and essential Support Staff. We attend over 8,000 incidents each year – including property and countryside fires, Road Traffic Collisions, flooding and water rescues, animal rescues and a range of other incidents, alongside our USAR and High Volume Pumping National Resilience capabilities aligned to our Response Strategy. We also deliver essential key Protection and Prevention services across both counties every day.

We are seeking to appoint an Assistant Director (Operational Area Commander) with the drive, enthusiasm and leadership capability required of a strategic leader in a modern fire service. The successful candidate will help us to deliver our core strategies and lead our workforce.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate they have the skills and abilities to deliver our strategic objectives, uphold and champion our core values, and lead others in a variety of environments.

About the role

The role will form part of our Strategic Leadership Board (SLB), providing strategic leadership and support to the Principal Officers in the overall coordination of the Service. This includes change management, staff development, delivery of organisational strategy and transformation, effective industrial relations and exploring opportunities for collaboration with partners to support efficiency and effectiveness.

HWFRS strives to deliver organisational and operational excellence in everything it does, requiring all strategic leaders to champion our core values and constantly seek efficiency, effectiveness and accountability across our highly motivated workforce

Eligibility to apply

In order to apply, you must meet the following criteria at the point of application:

• Be a competent UK Local Authority Group Commander or role above
• Be able to demonstrate previous or current competence at Levels 1,2 & 3 command
• Pass a Level 3 Command Assessment if not already held
• Pass a Level 4 Command Assessment if not already held
• Be eligible to live and work in the UK without restrictions
• Have had an appraisal in the last 12 months, unless not applicable to your organisation
• Not have any live formal disciplinary sanctions or history of serious misconduct
• Should not have been dismissed by another Fire and Rescue Service on the grounds of serious misconduct or capability
• Must be able to pass all relevant and required vetting processes
• Not be in a formal capability process
• Be medically fit to undertake the role, and pass the medical and annual fitness test

You will also be required to hold a valid driving licence and be eligible to drive in the UK and must be able to pass an emergency response driving qualification. You must have the ability to respond promptly within Herefordshire and Worcestershire and must be able provide a residential base in or near the county borders, in a location acceptable to the Chief Fire Officer.

As this role forms part of a locally agreed Area Commander operational rota, when rostered as ‘duty AC’ you must be available for immediate operational response within the Service Area. At other times Assistant Directors will work as required by their role within the Service and must be able to work flexibly. You may also be required to work evenings and weekends, as required, and an Area Commander should be available for recall to duty at any reasonable time.

Selection process

Applicants will complete an online application form, including a statement evidencing your suitability, skills and qualifications for the role. Shortlisted applicants will then be asked to attend a selection stage comprising of strategic level assessments, a briefing exercise and an interview.

Pre-employment checks will also be required including security clearance vetting (Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2 Abbreviated) and you may be required to pass advanced national vetting processes (for example SC level) as a requirement for the role. Successful candidates will be required to attend a conversion and induction training programme.

Full details of the role and selection process can be found in the job description and person specification and candidate guidance document attached at the bottom of this advert page.

Further information

Interested candidates are welcome to meet or discuss the role with CFO Jonathon Pryce KFSM and arrange a visit to HWFRS. This can be arranged by emailing Lisa Colenutt Lcolenutt@hwfire.org.uk.

If you have any questions regarding the process or you are experiencing any difficulties with your application, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@hwfire.org.uk before the closing date.

Attached documents

Application Form Supporting Information_AC 2026
Job Description and Person Specification Assistant Director (Operation
Candidate Guidance Notes