Deputy Chief Officer

Shape the future of Scotland's Fire and Rescue Service 

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is seeking an exceptional leader to join its Strategic Leadership Team as Deputy Chief Officer.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Scotland’s national fire and rescue service, providing strategic leadership across Service Delivery and making a lasting difference to the safety and wellbeing of communities throughout Scotland.

About the role

As Deputy Chief Officer, you will be responsible for the strategic leadership of Service Delivery across SFRS, strengthening prevention, protection, intervention and response activity and improving outcomes for communities throughout Scotland.

Working closely with the Chief Officer, SFRS Board, Scottish Government and key partners, you will play a leading role in delivering the Service’s strategic ambitions and driving organisational transformation within a challenging financial and public-service environment.

About you   

We are seeking an outstanding strategic leader with substantial experience operating at a senior level within a Fire and Rescue Service.  

You will have experience of operating at Gold Command level and be able to demonstrate the professional knowledge, competence and operational credibility required for a role of this scale and complexity.   

You will hold a relevant professional qualification at SCQF Level 11 or demonstrate an equivalent level of learning and professional attainment, together with membership of an appropriate professional body.  

You will bring significant experience of leading complex operational services, shaping and delivering organisational strategy, managing change and improvement programmes, and influencing at executive level across a broad range of stakeholders. 

You will be a visible and inclusive leader who inspires confidence, develops high-performing teams and works effectively with colleagues, representative bodies, government and external partners. You will share our commitment to building on the culture and values of SFRS.

Why join SFRS?

 The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service protects one of the largest geographical areas served by any fire and rescue service in the world, supporting communities from major urban centres to the most remote and rural parts of Scotland. Our ambition is to be a leading, sustainable, modern and technologically advanced fire and rescue service, equipped to meet the challenges of Scotland’s future. 

As Deputy Chief Officer, you will influence strategic decision-making at the highest level, contribute to the future direction of the Service and make a lasting difference for communities across Scotland. You will join SFRS at a time when innovation, collaboration, sustainability and transformation are central to our future. 

Further information  

Full details of the role can be found in the Candidate Brochure.

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact:
SFRS.ChiefOfficerSupport@firescotland.gov.uk

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive leadership team that reflects the communities we serve. If you believe you have the experience, leadership and ambition to help shape the future of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, we encourage you to apply.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. To help us support you throughout the recruitment process, please indicate on your application if you have a disability and/or a Specific Learning Difference (SpLD), together with any adjustments you would like us to consider during the selection process.