Head of Planning and Business – Devon Fire and Rescue Service

Head of Planning and Business Change – Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Based at Service Headquarters, Exeter. Full time (37 hours per week). Permanent contract.

Starting salary £66,861 rising annually to £70,630 (gross) per annum.

Join Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service – England’s largest non‑metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service – and help shape the future of the service we deliver to the communities of Devon and Somerset.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our Service Leadership Team and be the Head of Planning and Business Change.

This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving organisational change, strategic planning, performance management, and continuous improvement across the Service. You will lead our Performance, Planning, Innovation and Change teams, including Business Analysis and the Portfolio Management Officer (PMO), ensuring the successful delivery of corporate plans and transformational programmes aligned to our Community Risk Management Plan and strategic priorities.

You will provide expert leadership and assurance to the Executive Board, overseeing a high performing portfolio of projects and ensuring effective governance, resource management, benefits realisation, and stakeholder engagement.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop a culture of excellence, collaboration, and best practice across planning, performance and change functions.
• Work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders to deliver sustainable and effective organisational change and improvement.
• Drive strategic planning and align programmes with organisational priorities and long‑term objectives.
• Lead and manage the Service’s change portfolio, ensuring successful delivery of projects on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards.
• Oversee PMO governance, portfolio reporting, risk management, and benefits realisation.
• Lead business analysis and continuous improvement activities to support innovation and operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Provide strategic advice on programme and project management methodologies including PRINCE2, MSP, MoP and Agile approaches.

You will be a strategic and collaborative leader with significant experience in corporate planning, performance improvement, organisational change and portfolio management. You will bring strong leadership, governance, and stakeholder engagement skills, along with the ability to deliver measurable outcomes in a complex organisation.

We expect you to contribute to a positive working environment ensuring commitment to Service Values and NFCC Core Code of Ethics.

For inquiries, please contact our Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andy Smith via

Closing Date: 2359hrs Sunday 15 July 2026.