Head of Corporate Services
Benefits
Salary:
–     Non- Operational £66,853 to £74,166 per annum (Green book)
–     Operational: £56,200 (Development) to £61,667 (Competent B) Flexi duty allowance (20% of salary). Plus an Area Manager Allowance (difference between Grey and Green Book Grade 10).
Location – Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading
Excellent annual leave allowance
Superb Pension Schemes available
Onsite gym and parking facilities
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is a progressive and community-focused organisation that works as one team to deliver services to the people of Berkshire. We have an engaged and dedicated team of some 700 diverse and talented individuals, an inclusive culture as well as a commitment to the training, development and wellbeing of our people.
Applications are welcomed from individuals with an operational background and / or from individuals from a non-operational background who are able to demonstrate suitable transferable knowledge and skills. Applications will also be considered from individuals seeking promotion opportunities, further details below.
You will utilise professional knowledge and experience to develop appropriate strategies, take action to achieve corporate objectives and ensure the delivery of excellent public services.
You will bring a practical understanding of how to lead major programmes across an organisation, building effective senior relationships, finding the best solution to challenges, being critically aware of costs and resources and then making the change happen.
Politically astute, you will be working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and therefore it is essential that you have excellent written and verbal communication and influencing skills, to allow you to develop contacts and build relationships.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team you will manage risk across the county on behalf of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority. Ensuring the community is at the heart of the decision making while demonstrating value for money.
Putting Communities first, Integrity, Dignity and Respect are our values, if they match your values we would like to hear from you.
The key focus of the Head of Corporate Services role is:
To provide an effective and efficient multidisciplinary organisational support function, and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, creating and delivering the Service’s vision and strategic direction on behalf of the Fire Authority.
You will be responsible for the following teams and accountable for delivery of work across all these areas.
Business Support
Corporate Communication
Community Risk Management Planning
Committee Services
Data, Performance and Risk
Programme Office and Inspection
You will operate within an increasingly multi agency context, directly supporting the Fire Authority and Deputy Chief Executives to: initiate, develop and influence a complex range of relationships,
- The 6 unitary local authorities of Royal Berkshire, their services and schools
- Bodies representing local businesses and voluntary organisations
- Other Fire and Rescue Services and emergency services
- Central government (mainly Department for Local Government and Communities)
- Members of Parliament
- Local government politicians
- Chief Fire Officers Association
- Representatives bodies
- You will have lead responsibility for assisting the Deputy Chief Executive in developing and delivering the Community Risk Management Plan and delivery of the associated programme of work.
- You will be the strategic lead for Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspection programme.
Key role requirements:
- Experience of managing a complex multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of successful delivery of change management projects in a public sector context
- Strong Political Acuity
- Experience of working with elected members at a local government level
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven track record of managing stakeholders, including Senior Managers and Elected Members in a professional way, demonstrating political understanding
- Successful track record of managing a demanding personal workload, effectively balancing strategic and operational responsibilities
- Experience of corporate planning, processes and tools
- Experience of organisational performance management and strategy development and organisational governance
Salary / benefits information
Operational: £56,200 (Development) to £61,667 (Competent B) and Flexi Duty allowance of 20% of salary. Plus an Area Manager Allowance (difference between Grey and Green Book Grade 10).
Access to a Lease/provided Car Scheme
Non- Operational: £66,853 to £74,166 per annum
Car User allowance if eligible
Application and selection process
Our Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet these behaviours throughout the selection process.
The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours, knowledge and skills in line with the Job Profile and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached.
The successful candidate will also be required to pass a relevant medical assessment as appropriate, and a fitness test (if the successful candidate is operational). A Basic DBS check is required before starting in role.
The selection process consists of three stages. Stage Two of the selection process is planned to take place at Service Headquarters in Reading.
Stage One
CV and Supporting Statement (the statement should not exceed 2000 words), detailing why you are the best person for the role and how you meet the person specification.
Submission of report
In no more than 2500 words, write a report on how organisational performance management can drive improvements in productivity and efficiency.
Eligible candidates who wish to be considered should apply via our recruitment portal by 09:00 hours on 13 February 2023.
To be eligible to apply (operational role only) you must be a Competent Station Manager in receipt of CPD, with evidence of acquisition of knowledge and understanding relating to people and process management (Leading Others and Leading the Business courses or equivalent).
Stage Two
Presentation to a staff panel. The presentation will be the key points of the written report submitted in stage one, and must be presented in 20 minutes. 10 minutes for questions/answers.
Competency based interview
Clarity 4D Personality Profile (not assessed)
Stage two will take place from 20 February 2023 and successful candidates will be invited to stage three.
Stage Three
Values and Behaviours Based Interview
If the successful candidate is operational they will need to evidence they hold a L4 Strategic Incident Command qualification (Skills for Justice Awards – Fire) or successfully acquire this course within 6 months of appointment, as appropriate.
If you have any queries about the application process please contact Senior HR Adviser, Emma Scott by emailing scotte@rbfrs.co.uk
Please note that is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying / accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge. Further information on Annual Allowance can be obtained from our Pensions team
Please view our privacy notice via this link Applicant Privacy Statement
At Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, we want you to bring your whole self to work.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are more than just words for us. That’s why we are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels included and respected, and where no one is unfairly discriminated against. All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Simply: Our community is varied and diverse. Our workforce should be too.
At Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, everyone is welcome.
To find out more: rbfrs.co.uk/EqualityDiversityInclusion