Directorate: Service Delivery & Improvement
Contract type: Permanent
Salary Level: £70,246 – £84,975 per annum
Appointments are made within the advertised pay range. While the normal expectation is appointment towards the lower end, the agreed starting salary will ultimately reflect the successful candidate’s experience, expertise and relevance to the role
Location: Home Based (UK wide travel as required)
Reports To: Director of Service Delivery & Improvement
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is seeking a strategic leader to join our Service Delivery and Improvement Directorate as Assistant Director Service Delivery.
This is an opportunity to operate at a national level, shaping policy, driving sector-wide improvement, and leading programmes that enhance operational effectiveness, community safety, prevention, protection, fire control, and emergency response across UK Fire and Rescue Services.
Working alongside Chief Fire Officers, government departments, inspectorates, and sector partners, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the NFCC continues to provide high-quality, evidence-based products, services, guidance, and leadership that support the fire and rescue sector.
About this role
Reporting to the Director of Service Delivery & Improvement, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight of NFCC’s Service Delivery Hubs, encompassing Prevention, Protection and Operational Response & Fire Control. You will provide additional strategic operational experience to the executive leadership team in NFCC, increasing our capacity to support relevant committee chairs in meeting the challenges facing the sector and delivering on opportunities for change and improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Leading and coordinating national service delivery programmes and priorities.
Driving the Operational Effectiveness Programme to improve performance, consistency, competence and assurance across the sector.
Ensuring the delivery of high-quality, professionally assured guidance, products and services.
Providing strategic oversight of planning, governance, performance management and financial stewardship across the directorate.
Building influential relationships with senior leaders across Fire and Rescue Services, government departments, HMICFRS and other key stakeholders.
Supporting sector reform and helping shape the future direction of fire and rescue services nationally.
About you
We’re looking for an experienced leader with the credibility and strategic capability to operate effectively in a complex national environment.
You will bring:
Significant senior leadership and operational experience within a Fire and Rescue Service at Assistant Chief Officer, Area Manager or equivalent level.
Extensive understanding of operational doctrine, guidance, procedures and fire service delivery.
Detailed knowledge of the challenges facing fire and rescue services across service delivery areas of prevention, protection and response.
Experience of leading large-scale programmes, organisational improvement initiatives and change agendas.
Strong governance, business planning, financial management and performance reporting expertise.
Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
Experience of working collaboratively with government departments and external partners.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking capability, with the ability to balance long-term priorities and immediate operational demands.
A commitment to inclusion, equality, diversity and creating positive workplace cultures where people thrive.
If this sounds like the kind of opportunity that you would be interested in; please have a look at the Job Description on the NFCC website and apply.
How to apply:
Please complete the application form via the ‘apply now’ button below. CV’s will NOT be accepted for this position.
As part of or your application please use the Supporting Evidence section to demonstrate how you meet the criteria for the role. You should provide clear examples from your experience, skills and knowledge and achievements that show your suitability for the role. This should be no longer than 2000 words.
Closing Date: 13 September 2026 (please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early on 4 September 2026 should we receive a high volume of applications.
Interviews & Exercise: Week commencing 28 September 2026 (via Microsoft Teams).
If you are applying for a secondment on release from a FRS, we ask that you seek agreement from your manager or relevant CFO before applying.
For queries or technical issues, please contact recruitment@nfcc.org.uk.
NFCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and will require a DBS check to be completed prior to commencing in post.
NFCC is committed to being an inclusive employer. We comply with the Equality Act 2010, and we believe that everyone deserves to work in safe environments that are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, abuse, and harm, where they feel supported, welcome, and able to thrive.
NFCC acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice, all staff are expected to share this commitment.