Programme Manager - Fleet and Equipment Services

Being a part of Kent Fire and Rescue Service 

Everyone is unique. Everyone has value. Everyone helps to make Kent Fire and Rescue Service a great place to work. We are one team. Together with our customers we are creating a safer future for Kent and Medway.

Being a Programme Manager

Join Kent Fire and Rescue Service as a Programme Manager, where you will lead and successfully deliver complex programs of work that support organisational strategic objectives, service improvement, and business transformation. The Programme Manager will be accountable for coordinating multiple related projects and workstreams to ensure delivery of agreed outcomes,

benefits and operational improvements in line with organisational governance and best practice for the Fleet and Equipment Services department

We are looking for an experienced Programme Manager to support KFRS, partnering with our Fleet and Equipment Services team and provide leadership across programme planning, governance, stakeholder engagement, resource management, risk management, business readiness, change adoption and benefits realisation, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and successful transition into business-as-usual operations.

What you’ll do

• Lead and be accountable for the end-to-end delivery of programmes from mobilisation through to transition into operational service and postimplementation review.
• Lead and coordinate multiple related projects and workstreams, ensuring alignment with approved business cases, organisational strategy and portfolio priorities.
• Establish and maintain effective programme governance arrangements, including programme plans, reporting structures, assurance activities and decision-making processes.
• Provide leadership and direction to project managers and programme teams, ensuring effective coordination, prioritisation and delivery of programme objectives.
• Manage programme-level risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies and resource conflicts proactively, escalating through governance routes where appropriate.
• Lead stakeholder engagement across a wide range of internal and external parties, including senior leaders, operational managers, suppliers, partners and relevant external bodies
• Ensure robust programme planning and controls are in place, including integrated schedules, financial reporting, benefits tracking, business readiness and change management.
• Support procurement and supplier management activities where required, including mobilisation, contract oversight and performance management.
• Ensure programme delivery complies with organisational governance, assurance standards and relevant policies and requirements

What you’ll bring

• A recognised programme OR project management qualification at practitioner level. (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent)
• Agile or Hybrid Delivery Qualification (Desirable)
• Portfolio management qualification (Desirable)
• Construction related or Commercial Qualifications (Desirable)
• Experience of acting as the client in construction and infrastructure-related projects, including fit-outs, refurbishments or estate-based works with responsibility for ensuring customer and organisational interest are protected and delivered.
• Knowledge of fleet management, including heavy fleet operations, asset considerations and associated governance requirements (Desirable)
• Proven experience of successfully delivering complex programmes and strategic change Initiatives
• Experience of procurement, contract establishment and ongoing supplier management.
• Experience of managing multiple projects and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrable experience of programme governance, reporting and benefits realisation.
• Experience of managing programme budgets, risks, issues and dependencies

Benefits

• Automatic membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Blue Light Card discount scheme supported by a number of high street retailers
• A range of family friendly policies promoting work-life balance
• Access to health and wellbeing services and advice
• Free parking
• Above all you’ll become part of a service that is committed to the safety of our community

How to apply

Please complete an online application and CV as soon as possible.

Interviews will take place shortly after application if shortlisted as meeting the criteria of the role.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy upon receiving a sufficient number of applications. If you are interested in this role, we recommend that you submit your application at the earliest opportunity. 

Recruitment to vacancies during Resourcing Review

As we discuss the closure of some On Call stations, we recognise that this may raise questions about why we are continuing to recruit a small number of vacancies. We want to be transparent about the reasons behind both decisions, and to be clear that they are not contradictory.

The potential closure of stations is not primarily a financial decision. It reflects a genuine and careful assessment of operational demand and the availability of resources to sustain effective service delivery at those locations. Where footfall, call volumes, or community need no longer justify maintaining a full presence, it would not be responsible to continue operating as though they do. These are difficult decisions, and we are mindful of the impact they have on colleagues and the communities we serve.

At the same time, certain functions require specialist knowledge and expertise that cannot simply be redistributed or absorbed by existing teams. These are roles that require specific technical skills, professional qualifications, or regulatory knowledge that are essential to the organisation continuing to operate safely and effectively. The number of posts being recruited to is limited and targeted, reflecting only those areas where a genuine capability gap exists.  Every post is discussed, reviewed and approved before recruitment begins to ascertain if there alternatives to recruiting the role at that time.

Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We know that great minds don’t think alike, so we rely on diverse thoughts, feelings, beliefs and backgrounds to create the best working environment that we can possibly offer.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, its employees and volunteers, are committed to safeguarding, protecting and supporting children, young people and adults at risk. As part of our safer recruitment process, we will undertake pre-employment checks to verify your suitability for the role. These checks will include your references and a standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Enhanced DBS check with barred lists are carried out for roles with direct and unsupervised access to children, young people and adults at risk. Risk assessments will be undertaken on any disclosures identified as part of the pre-employment checks.

As a Public Sector organisation with added responsibilities under the Equality Act, 2010 the candidate must demonstrate an understanding of what is meant by Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and how this fits in with their everyday work.