The Capabilities Manager provides national specialist leadership for emergency preparedness, resilience and response across all English Ambulance Trusts. The role ensures a continual state of readiness for Significant and Major Incidents—planned or unplanned—while safeguarding continuity of core services. It involves interpreting and implementing National NHS policy, shaping strategic, tactical and operational practice, and developing emergency preparedness strategies aligned to the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) and national EPRR guidance. The post holder builds strong multi‑agency partnerships across healthcare, local authorities, emergency services, the military, government bodies and private‑sector partners, while also leading workstreams, contributing to national debates, and designing specialist training for internal and external audiences.
The role also includes acting as a National Interagency Liaison Officer (NILO) to strengthen interoperability in complex or high‑threat environments, and serving as a National Tactical or Strategic Advisor to senior leaders across all Ambulance Trusts. This requires providing autonomous specialist advice during major or complex incidents, participating in the national on‑call rota, and monitoring commander performance against national standards.
Ensure the Trust and all English Ambulance Trusts remain compliant with the Civil Contingencies Act (2004), responsive to emerging hazards and threats, and able to meet local, regional and national resilience requirements.
Provide evidence of continual improvement in national emergency preparedness and incident response, aligned with current legislation and national guidance.
Prepare, maintain and regularly update event and contingency plans, ensuring amendments are completed, circulated and aligned with best practice.
Lead feedback, audit and debrief processes to strengthen organisational learning and enhance preparedness.
Plan, develop and deliver training that meets current best practice, guidance and legislative requirements.
Oversee planned and unplanned incident response, ensuring commanders operate safely and effectively in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and national EPRR guidance.
Act autonomously on behalf of ECU Senior Management, the Chief Executive and the Accountable Emergency Officer on all EPRR matters.
Ensure the Trust meets its obligations as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004), and support other Ambulance Trusts to do the same.
The principal aim of the NHS Resilience Emergency Capabilities Unit (ECU) is to support the delivery of patient care and improved clinical outcomes in a range of challenging environments across England. The unit supports NHS Trusts and partner agencies to provide an effective response to the major and complex incidents defined within the UK’s National Risk Register.
The NHS ECU is the national centre of excellence for emergency preparedness, resilience, and response across England’s ambulance services. Hosted by the London Ambulance Service and commissioned by NHS England, we are dedicated to ensuring that the NHS is ready to respond to the most complex, high-risk, and challenging incidents—whenever and wherever they occur.
The NHS ECU builds on over a decade of operational expertise, clinical leadership, and innovation. Our mission is to strengthen national resilience by supporting ambulance trusts and wider NHS partners with the capabilities, training, and coordination needed to deliver outstanding care in the most demanding environments.
Applicants are advised to read all the information enclosed in the advert job description role specification before completing an application.
