Are you an ambitious, visionary leader ready to shape the future of fire and rescue services? County Durham and Darlington Combined Fire Authority is seeking an exceptional individual to join our leadership team as a Director (Wholetime).
We are looking for someone who can deliver a professional, innovative, and high-performing service, ensure the safety and wellbeing of our communities while meet all statutory and legal responsibilities. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future direction of a service that is proud to be recognised as high performing, forward-thinking, and trusted by the communities we serve.
Our vision is clear: “Safest People, Safest Places.” To achieve this, we need a leader who can drive transformation, embrace innovation, and work collaboratively with partners during a period of financial challenge for public services. Your ability to lead change, inspire confidence, and maintain excellence will help us stand out and continue delivering outstanding services.
We are looking for an individual with a proven track record of senior leadership and delivering organisational change in complex, political, and unionised environments. Someone with strong skills in strategic planning, resource management, and decision-making, with the resilience and creativity to navigate competing priorities. Has a leadership style that is inclusive, engaging, and committed to diversity, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Applicants should possess extensive experience as a Group Manager and hold a relevant postgraduate degree for the position. Ideally, candidates will be qualified and currently working at Fire Service Incident Command Level 4 to participate in the Executive rota; however, substantial command experience at Level 3 will also be taken into account.
If you have the vision, resilience, and leadership skills to shape the future of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, we want to hear from you. This is your opportunity to make a real difference, driving innovation, delivering excellence, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our communities.
For informal discussions only, prior to the application deadline, please contact Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Rob Cherrie, on 030300 32929
Application packs are available by emailing humanresources@ddfire.gov.uk and should be returned electronically to the same place.
The deadline for applications is 0900 hours on 12 May 2026
Assessment Centre: 21 May 2026
Final Interview: 12 June 2026
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a person without a disability, we have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to our processes.
If you require reasonable adjustments to be made so that you can make your application, please:
Contact our Human Resources section via humanresources@ddfire.gov.uk or telephone 03030032962 as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Application details are available in large type, Braille, audio tape and via email. A Minicom facility is available on 0191 3847840. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview.
If you are experiencing any other accessibility problems with any aspects of this advert, please contact humanresources@ddfire.gov.uk or telephone 03030032962.
This job is open to applicants from anyone who has the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.
The NFCC Code of Ethics sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all Fire Service employees.
County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent. To learn more please see the CDDFRS People Strategy.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service aims to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes and encourages applications from under-represented groups.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.
Fire & Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants and employees to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and/or reprimands. Information provided will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying or in which you work (please refer to the guidance notes www.gov.uk/guidance/rehabilitation-periods for more information).
Legislative change enables Fire and Rescue Services to be eligible for a Standard level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for employees of the Service, including volunteers. Applicants are required to inform us of any pending or incomplete investigations of a safeguarding nature that are ongoing, or that arise during periods of application and pre-employment. A table of rehabilitation periods for the most common sentences and disposals, and example scenarios can be found here www.gov.uk
Our Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such, any risk assessments used for positive disclosures will incorporate both a reasonable and proportionate response.