Area Manager, Management Operations Management

Area Manager

Location:

South Yorkshire

Salary: £77,186 per annum, plus 7.5% Rota Allowance, plus 8.8% Continuous Duty Allowance, plus 20% Flexi Duty payment (as per the grey book Section 4 part

B).

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (SYFR) is a values‑driven organization committed to making South Yorkshire safer and stronger. Our latest HMICFRS inspection (published July 2025) recognised progress in response, prevention, and organisational culture, with several areas graded as “Good”. Further progress is required to deliver a consistently high‑performing service, including strengthening leadership, workforce development, performance management, risk information and operational effectiveness.

The Area Manager is an integral part of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring a professional, inclusive, innovative and effective fire and rescue service in accordance with all statutory and legal duties. The service has three Area Managers, each responsible for one of the following portfolios:

• Service Delivery
• Service Improvement
• Service Development

We are seeking an outstanding candidate who:

• Demonstrates effective strategic leadership at Group Manager level, with a proven track record in organisational change and service improvement.
• Operates with an open, inclusive and engaging leadership style that builds trust, while actively championing equality, diversity and a positive organisational culture in line with national expectations.
• Is skilled in translating complex data and risk, brings strong capability in performance management, governance and continuous improvement, and consistently develops credible, constructive relationships with staff, partners and communities.
• Has awareness of the issues facing the fire sector, including culture, workforce capability and financial sustainability, and can turn these into opportunities for improvement and innovation.
• Roles models honesty, integrity and respect in all that they do, requiring an open, transparent and inclusive style and the ability to develop positive relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Possesses an open and engaging style of leadership, experience of developing and leading positive cultural improvement, and a commitment to all aspects of diversity and inclusion, essential in building effective relationships with stakeholders during periods of change.

• Substantive and competent Group Manager
• ICL3 (or equivalent) Incident Command qualification
• Internal Quality Assurer (or equivalent) or commitment to achieving in role
• Executive Leadership Programme or equivalent L7 Management Qualification (working towards acceptable or commitment to achieving in role)
• Commitment to achieving Level 7 Strategic Command and MAGIC (if not already held)

The role operates on a continuous duty system, requiring a minimum of 42 hours per week, with managerial hours normally undertaken Monday to Friday. All officers on the continuous duty system must attain (or attain within a specified timescale) the Skills for Justice Level 7 Strategic Command Qualification and the Multi‑Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) training programme.

We are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. We warmly welcome applications from individuals who identify with underrepresented groups within our workforce, including individuals from Minority Ethnic backgrounds, women, those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LGBT+), and individuals with disabilities. In addition, we will support anyone who requires part‑time or job‑share working hours.

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to innovation, creativity, and better decision‑making, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Please note that any appointment is subject to the relevant level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check. Enhanced checks with barred lists will be carried out for roles that undertake ‘regulated activity’ which is a term related to working with children or vulnerable adults.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment.

Information regarding the service and our Fire Authority can be found at