East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) prides itself on keeping communities safe through its response and risk reduction activities. ESFRS wants to ensure people are more than just residents or employees but also members of a safer, stronger and more resilient community.
We are looking for individuals who will inspire and deliver, to fill Group Manager vacancies across the Service. The role of Group Manager is crucial to delivering effective outcomes to the community and our partners. As a team, Group Managers will bring together a range of skills, backgrounds and experience that we believe will help deliver our strategic aims across the county.
We are seeking to appoint individuals who:
are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work culture
are self-aware
are able to demonstrate high levels of personal resilience
are team players with excellent collaboration skills
have proven leadership ability
possess enthusiasm, agility, drive and commitment to make a genuine difference.
These roles are responsible for leading and navigating their area within ESFRS whilst working cross-department with other Group Managers and professional staff equivalents on a daily basis.
We are an organisation committed to developing our people and creating opportunities to enable colleagues to continue their professional development. As well as accessing the ESFRS Group Manager Development Programme, successful candidates will also continue to develop their potential through a range of tailored personal development opportunities including coaching, mentoring, secondments and relevant qualifications in preparation for future strategic roles within the Service.
A condition of the appointment to the role of flexible duty Group Manager is that the post holder will provide operational cover from within the County. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer relocation expenses.
The recruitment process will consist of:
Application form
Presentation
Interview
We welcome applications from:
Substantive Group Managers and
Substantive and Competent Station Managers
All candidates must hold the Level 2 incident command qualification to be eligible to apply and must have evidence of maintaining their skills, knowledge and understanding. External applicants will also be required to provide additional details such as training records and proof of competency.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Matt Lloyd, Assistant Director Safer Communities on 07876133723.
Closing Date: 30 June 2025
Interviews will take place on 16/17/18 July 2025
Please note that recruitment processes may be withdrawn or varied at short notice due to the Services’ Organisational Change policy.
Our Purpose, Commitments and Values.
Our Purpose and Commitments are at the centre of everything we do. Whether responding to emergencies, working to prevent them happening in the first place or providing support, our firefighters, officers, control room operators, Business and Community safety teams, support staff and volunteers all play their part.
We are proud to serve East Sussex and Brighton and Hove City.
Our purpose
* We make our communities safer
Our Commitments
We will do this by:
* Delivering high performing services
* Educating our communities
* Developing a multi-skilled, safe and valued workforce
* Making effective use of our resources
Our Values
PROUD - We are proud of our Service and enjoy working in a positive environment - by continually improving our services and our organisation.
ACCOUNTABLE - Serving our whole community - by providing a good, cost-effective service.
INTEGRITY - Trust, integrity, initiative and innovation - by being open, honest and encouraging creativity.
RESPECT - respect and dignity for all - by treating members of our community and each other in a way that values their individuality and by challenging discrimination and unsuitable behaviour.
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Diversity and Inclusion
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve.
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, (ESFRS), are committed to equality of opportunity for all job applicants and aims to select suitably qualified people based on their skills, abilities, experience, knowledge, qualifications and training.
For more information please read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement .
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Safeguarding
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and suppliers to share this commitment.
ESFRS is a member of the Brighton & Hove and East Sussex Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and Safeguarding Adults Boards.
You can read our safeguarding statement here.
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DBS and Non-Police Personnel Vetting
All roles at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service will be subject to either DBS checks (minimum standard level) or a Police vetting process (the latter for roles based at Joint Headquarters in Lewes). The check will take place for the preferred candidate at the end of the selection process, before a final offer of employment can be made. For more information about DBS and Vetting, please read our DBS and Vetting Policy.
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Recruitment of Ex-Offenders
ESFRS are an Equal Opportunities Employer and therefore will consider ex-offenders for employment on their merits, (subject to the necessary DBS & Non-Police Personnel Vetting clearances required for the role). For more information please read our Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Statement.
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Notes
Please note that recruitment processes may be withdrawn or varied at short notice due to the Services' Organisational Change policy.
Notes
Please note that all roles at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service will be subject to either DBS checks or a Police vetting process (the latter for roles based at Joint Headquarters in Lewes). The check will take place for the preferred candidate at the end of the selection process, before a final offer of employment can be made.