Post: 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 seeking a values-driven and forward-thinking strategic candidate to join our Senior Leadership Team as an Area Manager.
The right candidate will help us deliver our aspiration of “Making South Yorkshire safer and stronger”.
They will contribute to shaping the culture and direction of the service whilst providing leadership to key departments, to achieve continuous organisational, service and performance improvement.
Like other fire and rescue services, this role goes beyond command and delivery.
It is an opportunity to shape culture, develop people, and create lasting change across a modern public service. You will also provide operational leadership at the Strategic command level as required.
About Us
Our goal is simple: Making South Yorkshire safer and stronger.
Our latest HMICFRS inspection (published July 2025) recognised that we have made progress in areas such as response, prevention, and organisational culture, with several areas graded as “Good.”
However, the inspection also identified that further progress is required to deliver a consistently high-performing service, including strengthening leadership, workforce development, performance management, risk information and operational effectiveness.
We have a clear improvement programme in place, and this role will be central to delivering that change.
About the role
The role of Area Manager is an integral part of our Senior Leadership Team and is intrinsic in ensuring the provision of 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
What We Are Looking For
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.
Skilled in translating complex data and risk they bring strong capability in performance management, governance and continuous improvement, and consistently develop credible, constructive relationships with staff, partners and communities.
You will also be aware of the issues facing the fire sector, including culture, workforce capability, and financial sustainability, and be able to turn these into opportunities for improvement and innovation.
You will role model our behaviours of honesty, integrity and respect in all that you do. This will require an open, transparent and inclusive style and the ability to develop positive relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
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, will be essential in building effective relationships with all stakeholders in managing through a period of change.
Eligibility Criteria
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)
*Please note that as part of your application we will contact external FRS candidates for line manager endorsement. Please provide contact details of your line manager when returning your application pack.
Continuous Duty System
You will work on our continuous duty system, a minimum of 42 hours per week, with managerial hours normally undertaken Monday to Friday.
All officers on the continuous duty system should have attained (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.
Further information about the requirements of the role can be found using the following role map link.
For a confidential conversation regarding this position contact DCFO Andy Strelczenie 07785 576 318 OR ACFO Simon Dunker 07826 955904
Information regarding the service and our Fire Authority can be found at http://www.syfire.gov.uk/
Application packs are available by emailing recruitment@syfire.gov.uk and should be returned electronically to the same email address by the date stated in the timetable.
Candidates will be required to provide a tailored CV (maximum 2 pages), setting out your work history, responsibilities and achievements as they relate to the role and a supporting statement (maximum 1,250 words) setting out your skills, knowledge and experience against 5 questions contained within the application pack.
If invited to attend the process, you will be asked whether you require any reasonable adjustments in order to complete any of the assessments. This may include things such as additional reading time where required.
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 look to support anyone who requires Part Time/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 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.
Area Manager Selection Process Timeline September 2026
Closing date for applications: Monday 3rd August 2026 1200hrs
Notification of longlist: Friday 7th August 2026
Operational command and media assessments (pass/fail): w/c 7th September 2026
Notification of shortlist: 14th September 2026
Assessment Centre: w/c 21st September 2026
· Stakeholder interview
· Presentation & SLT / Exec Team interview
Notification of outcome: By 25th September 2026