About us:

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is an organisation with its sights set on the future an organisation that has firmly set itself on a new course for a better future. Our improvement journey is well underway. We are building at pace, with serious intent and enormous drive, and in doing so we are defining a new era for our Service, for the communities we serve and our workforce.

We are the most improved Fire and Rescue Service in England and one of the best performing. We are proud of our most recent HMICFRS report awarded ‘Good’ in 7 of the 10 areas and 'Outstanding' in 2 areas, whilst also being recognised in five areas for Promising Practice.

It’s a really exciting time to join GMFRS as we finalise our Fire Plan which will serve as the next chapter in our improvement journey to become an outstanding Fire and Rescue Service.

We are one of the largest Fire and Rescue Services outside London, covering an area of approximately 500 square miles and a culturally diverse population of 2.8 million people. Greater Manchester is a vibrant, dynamic and growing city-region and an incredibly exciting and rewarding place to work.

Improving organisational culture remains a top priority for us we have taken a ‘culture first’ approach and under the leadership of our CFO, GMFRS has an unrelenting commitment to fostering cultural change. We have been recognised by Stonewall as the 34th LGBTQ+ inclusive employer in their Top 100 list. Our Rainbow Staff Network also won Stonewall’s Network Group of the Year.

The Role:

We are now looking for our next Group Managers to join our team and support us on our journey to become an outstanding Fire and Rescue Service.

As a Group Manager, you will be integral to the leadership of the organisation, supporting Heads of Service in driving forward a shared vision to make “Greater Manchester one of the best places in the world to grow up, get on and grow old”.

The foundations have been laid for the future of our Service, a Service which is now building at pace, delivering a new era and capable of meeting the challenges of the future and we want you to be part of this journey.

As a Group Manager, you will bring outstanding leadership to our organisation - leadership that promotes innovative thinking, collaborative working, and an inclusive approach to everything we do. You will play a vital role in leading multiple teams to deliver plans that align with our strategic ambitions. Our organisation is evolving, and you will be a major contributor to this cultural transformation and the adoption of new methods.

This role is crucial in creating a positive, safe, and supportive organisational climate, ensuring that the values of GMFRS are deeply embedded and evident in all our actions. You will influence performance, future plans, and the direction of the organisation, ensuring its continued growth and development.

The Person:

We are looking for inspiring, confident, talented, and high-performing individuals to operate successfully within the Group Manager role and bring diverse ideas into an evolving and improving UK Fire and Rescue Service.

Candidates should be forward-thinking, innovative, and able to lead, mentor, and manage the performance of teams and individuals to achieve organisational objectives. Strong communication, negotiating, and influencing skills are essential, and you must demonstrate an ability to embrace change and provide inclusive leadership.

As a Group Manager, you will lead a range of teams within your functional area of responsibility to deliver activities in line with strategic plans and priorities, performance objectives, and organisational values, including the NFCC Core Code of Ethics. You will oversee the development of individuals and teams, including coaching and mentoring to support their professional development, performance, and wellbeing. Managing departmental management teams, providing specialist advice, and embedding service excellence will be key aspects of your role.

You will champion a positive organisational culture, actively promoting and embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion within teams and services. Leading on recruitment and development initiatives to support succession planning and build capability within the service is essential. Additionally, you will develop and maintain strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders, ensuring the delivery of statutory responsibilities and promoting the service's objectives and interests.

We welcome applications from both internal and external candidates who have a proven track record of success as a competent Wholetime Station or Group Manager within their current service.

Salary: GM Dev (£59,937.00) GM Comp B (£66,445.00) per annum. Flexi Duty (20%) CPD and Skills.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

Internal and External

• Demonstrable competence as a permanent Wholetime Station or Group Manager within a UK Fire and Rescue Service, specifically a proven track record in planning, managing high performing teams, cultural change and development of yourself and others

• Operational awareness (or competence) at current rank

• Currently not under any live sanctions, capability, performance, or disciplinary procedures

• Your line manager is aware you are applying for promotion

External Only:

• Proof of UK Fire and Rescue Service contract and up to date training records

• Willingness and ability to be posted to and work from any location within the Greater Manchester boundary

• UK driving licence with access to own vehicle

Please Note:We are not currently accepting any On-Call or retained Firefighter applications for our external Promotions Pathways

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

Internal and External

• IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Service Operations, Incident Command, Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Science

• Started a development portfolio / can evidence development for promotion

• Already accessed a coach or mentor to support you throughout your promotional process

• Suitable H&S qualification (IOSH)

• Leadership and Management qualification minimum Level 5
• Hold an Incident Command Level 3 qualification (also known as SFJ level 6)