Deputy Director Safer & Stronger Communities Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Location: Manchester / Hybrid Salary: £84,182 - £93,126 Contract: Permanent, Fulltime Please note that the successful applicant will be required to undertake a GMP Vetting Level 3 disclosure for this role. About the Role An exciting senior leadership opportunity has arisen to join the Safer & Stronger Communities Directorate as Deputy Director. This pivotal role supports the Deputy Mayor and the Executive Director in providing strategic leadership across a complex and highimpact agenda spanning policing, crime, criminal justice, fire, public safety, community resilience, and systemwide reform. You will play a central role in improving safety, fairness and outcomes for the 2.8 million residents of Greater Manchester, while leading a motivated, valuesdriven senior leadership group. Key Responsibilities Provide strategic leadership and direction across the Safer & Stronger portfolio, shaping delivery against GM priorities and the Deputy Mayor’s Police, Crime & Fire ambitions. Lead, support and performancemanage the directorate’s Assistant Directors, ensuring accountability, collaboration and professional growth. Drive delivery of major programmes and reform across policing, community safety, criminal justice, victims & vulnerability, violence reduction, substance misuse, and fire & rescue services. Strengthen crosssystem partnerships with local authorities, Greater Manchester Police, GMFRS, NHS, criminal justice partners, the voluntary sector and Government departments. Provide highquality strategic advice, briefings and insight to the Deputy Mayor, Executive Director and other senior leaders. Champion a culture of inclusion, trust, wellbeing, transparency and continuous improvement. Oversee governance, risk, commissioning and budget responsibilities at a senior level. Represent GMCA regionally and nationally, shaping policy and driving systemwide change. About You We’re looking for a dynamic, collaborative and valuesdriven leader who can confidently operate in a political, multiagency and highprofile environment. You will bring: Significant senior leadership experience in policing, community safety, criminal justice, fire, public service reform or related fields. A proven track record of leading senior professionals, complex multidisciplinary teams. Highly developed strategic thinking, partnershipbuilding and influencing skills. Strong political acumen and experience working with elected leaders and senior stakeholders. Experience overseeing large programmes, performance management, budgets and organisational change. A passion for improving outcomes for communities and a commitment to fairness, safety and social justice. Why Join Us? Greater Manchester is nationally recognised for leadership in integrated public service reform, policing accountability and community safety innovation. As Deputy Director, you will be part of a committed and supportive senior leadership team, with the opportunity to influence strategy, drive change and deliver meaningful impact across the region. GMCA brings together key strategic functions and service providers including GMFRS and others all focused on improving outcomes for communities across the cityregion. Hybrid Working This role forms part of GMCA’s hybrid working approach. You will combine attendance at our Manchester city centre offices (or relevant GMFRS/GMCA locations) with remote working. Working patterns will be agreed with your manager and regularly reviewed to ensure they meet both individual and business needs “Do what is right for you and the business on that day”. Our Offer In return for your hard work, we offer a comprehensive Employee Value Proposition, including: Flexible working conditions (including flexitime accrual where applicable) Familyfriendly policies including maternity, shared parental and adoption leave Opportunity to buy additional annual leave Generous annual leave entitlement (increasing with service) Local Government Pension Scheme Investment in training, development and CPD Corporate travel loans, cycle scheme, MiRewards discount scheme Health & wellbeing support: Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programme Modern citycentre offices (rolespecific) Sports & Welfare Club Equality, Diversity & Inclusion GMCA values the diversity of its workforce and aims to reflect the communities we serve across Greater Manchester. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We ensure fair and consistent treatment of applicants at every stage, including reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion plan, shaped by staff networks and our culturefirst approach, supports meaningful and sustained progress across the organisation. PreEmployment Checks & Mandatory Information DBS: This role require the successful applicant to undertake a Non-Police Personnel Level 3 vetting Right to Work: Applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. See the Government’s Right to Work Checklist. Redeployment: GMCA employees on the redeployment register may be given priority for this vacancy. Privacy Notice: Please review our Recruitment Privacy Notice via Greater.jobs. Sponsorship: Please note we are not a licenced sponsor. How to Apply Please apply via Greater.jobs (GMCA). Application link, closing date and interview timelines will be added by the Resourcing Team.Supporting Documents
↗ Role Description
Location
Tootal Buildings, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU, United Kingdom
Job ID
1034
Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey
We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.
This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.
You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.
Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester
Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Your Pay, Your Benefits, Your Future
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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach
Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.
To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.
Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.
This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.
What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?
AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.
We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.
When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.
This means:
A trained hiring manager reads every application
Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job
Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role
All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms
AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.
Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.
Using AI in Your Application
When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team.
We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.
We’re looking forward to hearing your story.
How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly
Your application is your chance to show us:
Who you are
What you can bring
The values you hold
Why you want to make a difference
AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.
AI is most helpful when used to:
Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria
Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors
Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something
But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.
Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process
Do:
Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement
Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure
Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice
Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience
Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself
Don’t:
Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application
Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have
Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements
Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice
