Overview
Group Manager (Grey Book – Operational Fire & Rescue Service) – OX5 2DU
Number of Positions: 2
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £57,743 + 20% flexi duty allowance + CPD – £64,013 + 20% flexi duty allowance + CPD
Working Hours: 42
Location: Oxfordshire
Business Unit: Fire Services & Community Safety
Job Opportunity: Group Manager – Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service
Location: Kidlington HQ and County Fire station locations (agile working)
Salary: Grey Book Group Manager + 20% Flexi-Duty Allowance
Hours: 42 per week
We’re looking for a forward-thinking Group Manager to lead teams, shape strategy, and deliver real impact across Oxfordshire’s Community Safety Services. This is a key leadership role within our Fire & Rescue Service, offering the opportunity to influence service delivery locally, regionally, and nationally.
As a member of the Community Safety Management Team (CSMT), you’ll play a key role in governance, performance, and continuous improvement, informing decisions on our priority setting in delivering outstanding services that are community-focussed and forward thinking.
What You’ll Do
- Lead teams and projects that improve community safety and operational performance, aligning to our CRMP, Vision and Strategic Direction.
- Manage budgets up to £4m and ensure value for money.
- Collaborate across Oxfordshire County Council, Thames Valley partners, and the National Fire Chiefs Council.
- Drive innovation, performance, and continuous improvement.
- Undertake Level 3 ICS / Duty Officer role requirements.
Our Values and Purpose
Protecting the community, reducing harm and saving lives.
We are proud of our values, which guide everything we do:
- Always learning
- Be kind and care
- Equality and integrity in all we do
- Taking responsibility
- Daring to do it differently
We support agile working and are committed to creating a culture that enables all to thrive.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Current serving UK fire and rescue Group Manager or current competent serving UK fire and rescue Station Manager
- Full UK driving license
- Minimum of current and in-date Level 2 Incident Command System qualification
- Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification
- Ability to provide suitable operational response to the county of Oxfordshire as a Level 3 incident commander on the L3 rota
Social media:
The Process:
Phase 1: Submission of an application based on our Organisation Values of no more than 1500 words. Please see attached application request and instructions on what we are asking you to upload as your application.
Deadline: midday Thursday 4th September 2025
Phase 2: Interview and presentation. These will be assessed by separate panels on the same day. We will inform you of the presentation requirement at the point of invitation to interview.
Expected interview dates: 1st and 2nd October 2025
Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, please note that this role has operational response requirements and follows a rota pattern.
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If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact:errt@oxfordshire.gov.uk
To discuss any aspects of the role please contact Group Manager People & Organisation Development, Dave Edge: david.edge@oxfordshire.gov.uk
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
