Area Manager HIWFRS625363

Job Details:

Salary Range: £102,895 per annum

Work Location: HIWFRS HQ, Eastleigh and locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 18 November 2026

Interview Date: 14 or 16 December 2026

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is seeking to recruit a number of Area Managers.

Are you that forward thinking leader who upholds our Service values and seeks to lead a positive culture? Can you bring innovation, self, and people performance as well as excellent community service to the Area Manager role?

As a successful applicant, you'll become an integral part of our dedicated and diverse Head of Service Team, united in our commitment to people focused leadership and providing outstanding services to the communities we serve. You’ll play a pivotal role in driving initiatives aimed at enhancing our services, showcasing exceptional leadership traits that support our continuous cultural improvement and drive achievement of our strategic objectives.

About us:

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is a forward-thinking organisation committed to safeguarding lives, property, and the environment. With a rich history of service excellence and innovation, we are dedicated to delivering the highest standards of service delivery to achieve our purpose of ‘Together We Make Life Safer’.

About the role:

We are seeking dynamic and experienced professionals, who hold both a relevant leadership and Incident Command Level 3 qualification, to join our leadership team as Area Managers.

In this role you will advise strategic direction, drive performance and professional standards, whilst providing inspirational and motivational leadership to our teams across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area. You will play a key role in driving excellence, enhancing service delivery, and promoting collaborative partnerships to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

You will possess excellent communication skills and have the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders and partners. You will have proven experience in working on large scale projects and managing change in a unionised environment.

Benefits of the role:

Working as part of our high performing Head of Service team the successful candidate will be supported with professional development such as executive coaching, professional leadership training opportunities, and other role specific requirements dependent on current attainments.

The area we serve is one of the most beautiful areas within the UK and we recognise that relocation can be challenging. We have a full relocation package which is negotiable for the right candidate.

We offer a salary of £102,895 per annum and access to an employer contributed pension scheme. You will be expected to join the operational rota as an advanced and strategic commander working a 1 week in 4 duty system.

How to apply:

If you are ready to take on this exciting leadership role and make a positive impact on the safety and well-being of our communities, we invite you to apply by completing the application form and attaching your CV and a covering letter (with maximum wordcount of 1000 words) outlining your suitability for the position. This will be evaluated against the required qualifications and experiences listed in the person specification.

Shortlisted applicants without their Level 4 Incident Commander qualification will be required to undertake a test of potential exercise in person on Wednesday 25 November 2026. We are unable to accommodate an alternative date for candidates who are unavailable on this date.

Shortlisted applicants with their Level 4 or who perform highly in the test of potential will be invited to attend a formal interview with an Executive Team panel on either 14 or 16 December 2026.

Additional Information:

Area Manager Job Description and Person Specification

Please note this post is Politically Restricted.

HIWFRS Values:

• Reaching Further - Inspiring and challenging ourselves and others.
• Showing Respect - Fairness, honesty and integrity in everything we say and do.
• Supporting Others - Listening and acting with compassion and empathy.
• Everyone Playing Their Part - Recognising the contribution we all make.

Vetting Requirements:

This post is subject to a Standard Criminal Record Check and an SC Security Check.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Shantha Dickinson, Deputy CFO on shantha.dickinson@hantsfire.gov.uk