Area Manager – South Wales Fire & Rescue Service

We are looking to appoint an individual with a demonstrable track record of strong and inclusive leadership. They will possess excellent communication skills, and the ability to nurture and manage strong relationships across a wide stakeholder group and be an advocate for the Service.

The successful candidate will play a major role in enhancing the culture and values of the Fire and Rescue Service through engaging and inspiring our people, so that they achieve our ambition of providing service excellence across South Wales. They will always demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) is one of the largest Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) in the UK, serving 1.6 million people across 10 Constituent Unitary Authorities stretching from Bridgend to Monmouth and from Cardiff Bay to the Brecon Beacons National Park.

We want to build a reputation of excellence in the delivery of our services from responding to emergency incidents to improving our range of preventative initiatives. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is committed to making our communities the safest places to live, work and visit, by focusing on community protection, attracting, and developing our people, making effective use of resources, whilst achieving organisational improvement.

The Service currently seeks to appoint an Area Manager who will demonstrate an enthusiastic and innovative approach to the leadership of a large Service area, whilst upholding our Service values:

We are looking for a proven strategic leader who can demonstrate a strong record of visible and transformational leadership within a dynamic environment and who hold the relevant management qualifications and / or experience outlined in the person specification. The ability to produce positive results is key. Applicants will need to demonstrate a thorough understanding of all of the functions of the Fire and Rescue Service and the issues facing the Service both within Wales and the UK.

The role will provide the successful candidate the opportunity to enhance the culture and values of the Service through the provision of effective strategic leadership. The successful candidate will contribute to the shaping of the future services provided to our communities across South Wales through strong collaboration, clear decision making and the building and maintenance of a high performance culture. This in turn will support the development of the Service’s role within the wider context of the public service infrastructure within Wales and the rest of the UK.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain a suitable base in the South Wales Service area to provide operational cover on the Area Manager Continuous Duty Rota. If a candidate chooses to relocate permanently, relocation support will be available.

Salary: £96,263.42 - £ (this includes 20% Flexi Duty, 14% Continuous Duty Allowance & Access to the Service’s Car Lease Scheme)

Contract type:
Full Time

Closing date:
August 30 2026