Senior EPRR Manager

Job overview

**Previous applicants need not apply**

The Senior Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) Manager will lead the development, delivery and assurance of the Trust’s emergency preparedness and business continuity arrangements. The post holder will ensure the organisation meets its statutory duties and national requirements under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and the NHS EPRR Framework, maintaining a robust and effective approach to incident preparedness, response and recovery.

Working closely with Hospital Leadership Teams, the role will oversee the development, review and testing of emergency plans, business continuity arrangements and incident response procedures. The post holder will coordinate training and exercising programmes, provide specialist advice to senior leaders, and support the Trust’s on-call and incident management structures during major incidents.

The role will also work collaboratively with partners across the wider health and resilience system, including the Integrated Care Board (ICB), NHS England and local multi-agency resilience forums, ensuring effective partnership working and alignment with national EPRR standards and guidance.

Main duties of the job

Lead the development and delivery of the Trust’s Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) and Business Continuity programmes, ensuring compliance with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, NHS EPRR Framework and relevant national guidance.

Develop, maintain and regularly review the Trust’s suite of emergency plans, policies and procedures, ensuring they remain aligned with organisational priorities and national requirements.

Coordinate and deliver a comprehensive training and exercising programme to ensure staff and senior leaders are prepared to respond effectively to major incidents and operational disruptions.

Lead the annual EPRR Core Standards self-assessment process, maintaining assurance evidence and identifying areas for improvement .

Provide expert advice and guidance to Executive Directors, Hospital Leadership Teams and operational managers on emergency preparedness, business continuity and incident response arrangements.

Support the Trust’s response to major incidents by providing specialist EPRR advice and assisting incident command structures as required.

Work collaboratively with system partners, including the Integrated Care Board (ICB), NHS England and Local Resilience Forums, to support effective multi-agency planning, response and recovery.

Ensure incident command facilities, communications systems and emergency equipment are maintained, tested and ready for use in line with EPRR requirements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Senior Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) Manager will lead and coordinate the Trust’s approach to emergency preparedness, resilience, response and business continuity, ensuring the organisation maintains a high level of readiness to respond to major incidents and operational disruptions. The role will ensure compliance with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, NHS statutory duties and the NHS Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Framework.

Leadership and Strategic Responsibility

• Provide strategic leadership for the Trust’s EPRR and Business Continuity programmes, ensuring alignment with national guidance, statutory requirements and organisational priorities.
• Support the Trust’s Accountable Emergency Officer and senior leadership by providing expert advice, assurance and reporting on the organisation’s preparedness and compliance with national standards.
• Lead the development and delivery of the Trust’s annual EPRR work programme, including business continuity assurance, training, exercising and continuous improvement activity.
• Represent the Trust at system and multi-agency forums, including Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Local Health Resilience Partnership (LHRP) meetings, ensuring effective partnership working across the wider resilience system.

Emergency Preparedness and Incident Response

• Lead the development, review and maintenance of the Trust’s emergency plans, major incident procedures and related policies to ensure they remain current and effective.
• Provide specialist EPRR advice and support to the Trust’s incident command structures during major incidents or significant operational disruptions.
• Ensure that incident command and control arrangements, communications systems and facilities are maintained in a state of readiness and tested regularly.
• Coordinate organisational preparedness for a range of incidents including pandemics, CBRN events, severe weather and other major emergencies.

Business Continuity Management

• Lead the development and implementation of the Trust’s Business Continuity Management (BCM) framework.
• Support divisions and departments to undertake Business Impact Analyses and develop robust business continuity plans aligned with organisational priorities.
• Monitor and assure the effectiveness of business continuity arrangements across the organisation, promoting good practice and continuous improvement.

Training, Exercising and Organisational Learning

• Develop and deliver the Trust’s EPRR training and exercising programme, ensuring staff and leaders are prepared to respond effectively to incidents.
• Coordinate exercises including tabletop and live simulations, ensuring lessons identified are captured and translated into improvements in policy, planning and practice.
• Promote awareness and understanding of EPRR and business continuity across the organisation through training, workshops and engagement with staff at all levels.

Assurance, Governance and Reporting

• Lead the annual EPRR Core Standards self-assessment process, maintaining a robust evidence base and tracking actions to address areas of improvement.
• Provide assurance reporting on EPRR and business continuity performance to Trust governance structures, including senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place for EPRR working groups, training programmes and business continuity assurance activity.

Partnership Working and Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with NHS organisations, local authorities, emergency services and other partners to support effective multi-agency planning, response and recovery arrangements.
• Participate in system-wide exercises, planning groups and resilience forums to strengthen partnership working and coordinated responses to major incidents.
• Represent the Trust in regional and national resilience discussions where required.

Resources and Operational Support

• Oversee the maintenance, testing and assurance of emergency preparedness equipment, including incident command facilities and specialist response equipment.
• Support the management of resources allocated to EPRR and business continuity activities, ensuring value for money and effective use of organisational assets.
• Ensure accurate records, databases and reporting systems are maintained to support monitoring, assurance and organisational learning.