Group Commander (Response)

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Job Reference SCC/TP/405213/6077

Apply for this job Number of Positions: 2 Contract Type: Permanent Contract Details: Grey Book Salary: £71 924.40 - £79 734.00 plus £1754.00 Surrey Allowance & £949.00 CPD Working Hours: 42 hour week Location: Surrey Wide - based at Woodhatch Place, RH2 8EF Closing Date: 23/10/2026 Job Category: Fire and Rescue Directorate: Chief Executive Office Service: CEO - Comm Prot & Eme

Job Introduction

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
Group Commander – Response

Are you an experienced operational leader who values integrity, inclusive leadership and high performance?

Do you have the judgement, resilience and strategic focus to lead operational response and make a positive difference for our people and communities?

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced leader to take on the permanent role of Group Commander – Response.

This key leadership role is responsible for providing visible, effective and values-led leadership across operational response, ensuring crews are prepared, supported and able to deliver a safe, effective and resilient service.

Working closely with the Area Commander for Response, operational Group Commanders, Learning and Development, the Staff Office and Resourcing Team, and colleagues across the Service, you will provide strategic oversight of operational performance, readiness and assurance, lead station-based teams and ensure learning from incidents, exercises and assurance activity drives continuous improvement.

You will also contribute to service-wide leadership, delivery of the 2025–2030 Community Risk Management Plan, and the continued development of a professional, inclusive and high-performing culture.

About our offer

Although based at Service Headquarters, Woodhatch Place, Reigate, working arrangements are flexible. You will be expected to spend most of your working time within the geographical area of Surrey for which you are responsible and attend Service Headquarters and operational locations as required.

The salary ranges from £71,924.40 per annum at Group Commander Development to £79,734.00 once competent in role, inclusive of the 20% flexi-duty officer allowance where applicable.

The role also attracts:

• Surrey Allowance: £1,754 per annum
• Continuous Professional Development payment: £949 per annum

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Response function, ensuring safe, resilient and high-quality emergency response arrangements.
• If required as a Flexi Duty System Officer, undertake the role of Level 3 Incident Commander at complex or significant incidents.
• Lead and develop station-based teams and operational managers, promoting accountability, high performance and continuous improvement.
• Maintain oversight of operational readiness, appliance availability, crewing, competence and deployment of people and resources.
• Ensure c