Summary
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.
Find out more:
Key responsibilities:
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:
To be eligible to apply for this role you will need to hold the following:
Why join us:
At Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service your work will make a real difference to the communities we serve. In return, we offer:
Closing Date: 2359hrs Sunday 15 July 2026.
If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our Head of Planning and Business Change please click apply today, we would love to hear from you.
How to apply:
You will be required to complete an application form and submit a document evidencing how you meet the following essential criteria from the Job Description and Person Specification.
To help you complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document "Head of Planning and Business Change - Essential Criteria for Application" for you to download and complete with your evidence for the above criteria. You can then upload this document when requested when completing your application. Please note that there is a maximum work count of 2000 words (excluding titles) applied to your evidence document.
Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used for shortlisting any applications received.
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:
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.