• Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
• Address: Bury St Edmunds Fire Station, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3BA
• Salary: Group Manager salary in accordance with NJC pay scales: £57,743 (dev) – £64,013 (comp) per annum + 20% flexible duty allowance
• Hours: 42 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

This is an exciting opportunity to either take the next step in your management career or transfer over to Suffolk.

At Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), we believe that when our people grow, our communities thrive. That’s why we’re looking for a passionate Group Manager (GM) to join our team. Here, you’ll find more than just a job – you’ll discover opportunities to develop your skills, make a meaningful impact, and reimagine what’s possible. Are you ready to grow with us and shape the future of Suffolk?

About the role

As a Group Manager, you will assist the Area Manager in developing and delivering a strategic approach for the Fire and Rescue Service, aligning with the National Framework, the Fire and Rescue Services Act and local priorities. Your efforts will ensure that resources, culture, systems, and procedures within your area are resilient and consistently focused on providing high-quality services to the people of Suffolk.

Key responsibilities and expectations:

• Perform operational incident command at Level 3.
• Proven track record of managing complex, large-scale emergency incidents.
• Participate in the Tactical Coordinating Group (TCG) and engage in collaborative efforts with multiple agencies.
• Focus on your professional development and work towards obtaining necessary qualifications.
• Lead and manage a department to support the strategic delivery of our service plan.

The role is based in Suffolk, with a mixture of working from your base location, other sites across the county and opportunities to work from home. You must live in Suffolk or have a base that allows for quick operational response across the county. You’ll be required to attend TCG meetings in Ipswich and evening commitments across the Service will be expected.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word).  If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Eligibility requirements

We welcome applications from:

• Group Managers (or above) serving with a UK Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service.
• Competent Station Managers with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in role, serving with a UK Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Area Manager, Aeneas Postlethwaite, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 07766780216 or emailing aeneas.postlethwaite@suffolk.gov.uk

Please visit our Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service webpage for further information.

Assessment Process

External candidates, who have not previously attained an SFRS GM Assessment Centre pass, will be required to complete a VCA Assessment. This includes an initial e-learning component (to be complete before 17 February 2026), followed by an in-person assessment at Wattisham Training Centre on 18 February 2026. This will consist of an operational assessment as well as a values and behaviours assessment.

Internal candidates who meet Step 2 of the Service Progression Document are eligible to apply. To check if you require an external assessment at this stage, please refer to the information in the SPD and confirm if you require an external assessment in your application.

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement detailing how your experience over the past 3 years meets the criteria and demonstrates your suitability for the role (no more than 500 words in total). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412.

You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you’re invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 11 February 2026.

Assessment centre dates: 18- 19 February 2026, full details of the assessment centre will be shared with candidates who are shortlisted.

Interview dates: 2- 3 March 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 40 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata)
• membership of a competitive Firefighters’ Pension scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• eligibility for a Blue Light card
• a lifetime of support from the Fire Firefighters Charity for you and your loved ones
• family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and pay
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• access to national training schemes facilitated by the Fire Service College, Women in the Fire Service and the Asian Fire Service Association
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).