Head of Corporate Services

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking professional to join West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service as our Head of Corporate Services.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service are undertaking a significant phase of transformation through local government reorganisation and devolution, positioning ourselves to operate under the Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority.

This transition presents a strategic opportunity to strengthen our organisational capability, enhance resilience, and ensure we are equipped to meet the evolving risks and expectations of our communities.

Salary: £75,305 to £80,340 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full-time (37 hours per week)

Location: Chichester Fire Station, Northgate, Chichester PO19 1BD

Interview Date: Wednesday 12 August and Friday 14 August 2026 at Horsham Fire Station, Platinum House, Macfarlane Way, Horsham, RH12 1EP.

This role requires the successful candidate to travel independently to various venues and council locations across and outside of the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes available.

Regular attendance at key service locations will also be necessary, and there will be opportunities for remote work. Final arrangements will be confirmed with the successful candidate.

About the Job

This pivotal senior leadership role provides strategic direction, professional leadership, and operational oversight across a range of critical corporate functions that support the effective delivery of our services to communities across West Sussex.

Working with the Director of Fire & Rescue Service, you will support the delivery of the Service's strategic priorities, statutory obligations and continuous improvement programme as well as support the Fire and Rescue Service Transition and its Community Risk Management Plan.

The postholder will lead and drive excellence across the following areas:

• Organisational Governance
• Performance, Insight and Data
• Finance, Procurement and Contract Management
• HR Business Partnering, Professional Standards and Organisational Change
• Legal Services

Ready to lead at the highest level? If you are a strategic candidate with the credibility to influence senior leaders and elected members, and a proven track record of leading teams through change to deliver results, we would love to hear from you.

Join us and play a pivotal role in shaping governance, finance, workforce, legal and performance services that make a real difference.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Professional qualification in at least one relevant discipline (e.g. CIPFA, CIPD, governance, legal or public administration) or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable experience of leading multiple corporate service functions.
• Strong understanding of public sector governance, finance, workforce and performance management frameworks.
• Significant experience of establishing, managing and leading high performing business functions, ensuring the delivery of effective, efficient and customer-focused services.
• Experience of providing leadership to staff, ensuring effective budget management and playing a key role in strategic decision-making on major spending priorities.
• Excellent people leadership skills, including experience of performance management, with the ability to inspire, support and empower individuals and teams to achieve outstanding outcomes.
• Excellent political awareness and a strong understanding of the local government landscape, with experience of working successfully within complex political environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate confidently and credibly with colleagues, partners, senior leaders and external organisations.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.

Rewards and Benefits

We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 30 days annual leave plus the opportunity to buy additional leave and an excellent local government pension scheme

A range of discounts give our staff access to hundreds of offers; groceries, travel, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities, high street retailers and the opportunity to save over £1,000 a year through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform.

For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CPP01391.

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Sabrina Pennington-Down at [email protected]

For issues or queries regarding your application please contact [email protected] .

Click apply below, upload your CV and cover letter.

Your cover letter should:

• Outline your motivations for applying.
• Explain the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the attached job description).

Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to right to work within the UK, enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application helppage.

RSi