Head of Corporate Services – Area Manager

About the role:  ​​​​​​​Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is a progressive and community-focused organisation that works as one team to deliver services to the people of Berkshire. We have an engaged and dedicated team of some 700 diverse and talented individuals, an inclusive culture as well as a commitment to the training, development and wellbeing of our people. Applications are welcomed from individuals who are able to demonstrate suitable transferable knowledge and skills. Applications will also be considered from individuals seeking promotion opportunities, further details below. About you: As Head of Corporate Services, you will have a unique opportunity to lead an area of the Service and work across the organisation to shape and tailor the services we provide to meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve.  In this role you will utilise professional knowledge and experience to develop appropriate strategies, take action to achieve corporate objectives and ensure the delivery of excellent public services. You will bring a practical understanding of how to lead major programmes across an organisation, building effective senior relationships, finding the best solution to challenges, being critically aware of costs and resources and then making the change happen. Politically astute, you will be working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and therefore it is essential that you have excellent written and verbal communication and influencing skills, to allow you to develop contacts and build relationships. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will manage risk across the county on behalf of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority. Ensuring the community is at the heart of the decision making while demonstrating value for money. Putting Communities first, Integrity, Dignity and Respect are our values, if they match your values we would like to hear from you. The key focus of this role is: To provide an effective and efficient multidisciplinary organisational support function, creating and delivering the Service’s vision and strategic direction on behalf of the Fire Authority. You will be responsible for the following teams and accountable for delivery of work across all these areas. Business Support Corporate Communication Committee Services Data, Performance and Risk Programme Office and Inspection You will operate within an increasingly multi agency context, directly supporting the Fire Authority and Deputy Chief Executives to initiate, develop and influence a complex range of relationships, including: The 6 unitary local authorities of Royal Berkshire, their services and schools Bodies representing local businesses and voluntary organisations Other Fire and Rescue Services and emergency services Central government (mainly Department for Local Government and Communities) Members of Parliament Local government politicians Chief Fire Officers Association Representative bodies You will have lead responsibility for assisting the Deputy Chief Executive in developing and delivering the Community Risk Management Plan and delivery of the associated programme of work. You will be the strategic lead for Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspection programme. Key role requirements are detailed in the job profile attached (knowledge, skills and experience). Application and selection process Our Behavioural Competency Framework (link here) allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet these behaviours in line with the job profile/person specification throughout the selection process.   ​​​​​​​ Please see the link to the Job Profile Head of Corporate Services. For further details about the role or to simply discuss any adaptations or adjustments we can make to assist you in your application or with our recruitment process please contact Nikki Richards, Deputy Chief Executive at (url removed) to arrange an informal discussion. Closing date for applications at Stage One is 09:00am Monday 18 November 2024. Assessment/interview are expected to be held during December 2024. Anticipated start date: Early 2025 The selection process consists of three stages. Stage One CV and Supporting Statement (the statement should not exceed 2000 words), detailing why you are the best person for the role and how you meet the person specification. You will be informed if you are shortlisted for Stage Two below. Stage Two Submission of report In no more than 2500 words, write a report on how organisational performance management can drive improvements in productivity and efficiency Competency based interview Clarity 4D Personality Profile (not assessed) Stage Three (If successful at Stage Two) Values and Behaviours Based Interview Other considerations: The Area Manager allowance is based on role at entry and varies with Green and Grey Book pay awards. Staff who enter on the development rate of pay will be paid an allowance equivalent to the difference between the development rate of pay and the bottom of Grade 10.  When the staff member has attained competent rate of pay they will be paid an allowance equivalent to the difference between the competent rate of pay and the next spinal column point on Grade 10. Competent Station Manager in receipt of CPD, with evidence of acquisition of knowledge and understanding relating to people and process management (Leading Others and Leading the Business courses or equivalent). You must have attained Incident Command Level 2 (Intermediate). You may be required to attend an incident command assessment. Ideally the successful candidate will be a Competent L3 advanced Incident Commander with relevant ongoing incident command experience / organisational assurance or will be required to pass an advanced incident command assessment as part of the selection process (if you do not hold the required qualification, you will be required to attain it within 6 months of appointment, as appropriate. You will need to evidence that you hold a L4 Strategic Incident Command qualification (Skills for Justice Awards – Fire level intermediate incident command) or successfully acquire this course within 6 months of appointment, as appropriate. You will be required to pass a relevant medical assessment as appropriate, and a fitness test (or evidence of recent pass)