Emergency Planning & Business Continuity Lead

Job Description

About the Role

Reading Borough Council is seeking an experienced and proactive professional to lead on Emergency Planning, Business Continuity, and Public Safety across the organization. As the Council’s lead competent person in this field, you will play a vital role in ensuring that the Council is prepared for and can respond effectively to major incidents and emergencies.

This role sits within the Health, Safety & Risk Management Team in the Directorate of Resources, and involves working collaboratively with local and regional partners, including the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) and emergency services.

Key Responsibilities

Act as the Council’s lead advisor on emergency planning, business continuity, and public safety.

Develop and maintain statutory Emergency Plans in line with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

Serve as the tactical lead during emergencies, advising senior managers and elected members on the Council’s response.

Collaborate with Berkshire Unitary Authorities and the Thames Valley LRF, including participation in joint exercises and incident responses.

Support community resilience efforts through partnerships and stakeholder engagement.

Provide guidance to Council teams to ensure continuity of critical services during disruptions.

Design, coordinate, and deliver training for the on-call emergency response team.

Represent Reading Borough Council in strategic planning and resilience initiatives across the region.

About You

You will be a skilled and confident emergency planning professional, capable of:

Leading during high-pressure incidents and responding with practical, informed advice.

Interpreting complex situations and providing clear, actionable recommendations to a wide audience.

Building collaborative relationships with internal teams and external partners.

Demonstrating leadership, flexibility, and the ability to work as part of a wider team.

This role will suit someone passionate about public service and resilience, with a proactive mindset and strong communication skills.

What We’re Looking For

We value individuals who align with Team Reading values:

Work Together – Collaborate across teams and with partners.

Drive Efficiency – Embrace innovation, continuous improvement, and adaptability.

Be Ambitious – Strive for high performance and improvement.

Make a Difference – Deliver excellent service and respond to community needs.

What We Offer

We offer a positive, supportive, and flexible working environment, along with a comprehensive benefits package:

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days plus bank holidays (rising to 33 days after 10 years)

Flexible and hybrid working opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Life assurance (3x annual salary for LGPS members)

Outstanding on-site nursery (Kennet Day Nursery)

Season ticket loan

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Central Reading office location with modern facilities

Equality and Inclusion

Reading Borough Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage flexible working arrangements wherever possible.

Please note: The vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received. Early application is strongly encouraged.