Chief Executive Officer/Chief Fire Officer

£150,000 (CEO)* £174,661 (CFO)*

Have you got what it takes?

 South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is on a journey of cultural change and is seeking a new Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through this period.

We are looking for our next CFO/CEO to have a demonstrable track record of strong and inclusive leadership with an ability to build on our existing achievements. They will possess excellent communication skills, and the ability to nurture and manage strong relationships across a wide stakeholder group and be an advocate for the Service.

The successful candidate will play a major role in enhancing the culture and values of the Fire and Rescue Service through engaging and inspiring our people, so that they continue to provide service excellence across South Wales. They will also need to demonstrate an aptitude to operate and influence at a strategic level in a political and unionised environment whilst fostering collaborative approaches to working with partners both in the public and private sector. They will demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism and be genuinely committed to a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion.

The Service is one of the largest in the UK, serving 1.6 million people over 10 Constituent Unitary Authorities, stretching from Bridgend to Monmouth. It has built a reputation of excellence in the delivery of our services from responding to emergency incidents to an impressive range of preventative initiatives. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is committed to making our communities the safest places to live, work and visit, by focusing on community protection, attracting and developing our people, making effective use of resources, achieving organisational improvement.

Candidates for this high-profile role will need to demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues facing today’s Fire and Rescue Service, both within Wales and the UK. Excellent communication and networking skills will be key to advising stakeholders at a strategic level, including working with the Welsh Government, other FRS within Wales and partner organisations.

We are seeking individuals who meet the skills required for the role. This means you may not necessarily have prior experience of working in the Fire Sector, but rather the expertise and credibility needed to succeed.

Applicants for the role of Chief Fire Officer who operate at Brigade Manager Level will have proven operational experience and will be expected to provide operational cover and as a minimum you must be a current serving competent Assistant or Deputy Chief Fire Officer. The expectation is that the successful candidate will either live in the South Wales area or be willing to relocate.

This is brilliant leadership opportunity for the right person. So if this has piqued your interest and you would like to explore the role and your fit with it in more detail, please contact our recruitment partner, Peter Buffoni on 07964 877654 or Louise Bickley 07586 715 788.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Monday 27th May 2024.

* The pay differential reflects operational requirements.