Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Lead

Directorate of Resources

The post sits within the Health, Safety & Risk Management Team within the Directorate of Resources.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.

About the role

The post has a diverse responsibility which includes:

• Being the lead competent person within the Council providing corporate advice and support on emergency planning, business continuity and public safety.

• Developing Emergency Plans for Reading Borough Council, including those statutory requirements imposed by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

• Being the lead tactical advisor for the Council’s response to emergencies, and reporting to senior managers and elected members, making recommendations for the Council’s response.

• Working with the Local Resilience Forum and other Berkshire Unitary Authority Emergency Planning Officers including planning and participating in the joint response with the emergency services and other organisations during major incidents.

• Supporting the building of community resilience amongst partner organisations in the Thames Valley.

• Providing support and advice to Council teams to ensure that they are able to continue to deliver critical services during major incidents.

• Coordinating and delivering training to the on-call emergency response team to ensure that they are competent.

About you

This post will suit an experienced emergency planner who is able to demonstrate leadership skills during major incidents. You will be able to interpret complex situations and provide practical solutions to a diverse audience.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team- work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency- show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious- be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading- maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

• A wide range of flexible working opportunities 

• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading

• Local Government Pension Scheme(LGPS)

• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted

• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work

• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years.  The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Robin Pringle. Health, Safety & Risk Management Lead. Email: robin.pringle@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 7thSeptember 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Type: To be confirmed

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.