Fire Safety Manager

KC Group Recruitment; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

KC Group Recruitment is seeking a Fire Safety Manager to lead fire safety compliance across a diverse property portfolio in a public sector setting. You will ensure buildings meet fire safety legislation and organisational policies while managing risk, budgets and improvements.

You will oversee fire risk assessments, lead a team, liaise with regulators and stakeholders, and develop fire strategies to protect residents, staff and visitors. Strong IT and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent in a relevant building-related discipline with substantial post-qualification experience.
• At least five years' relevant technical or professional experience.
• Strong experience managing fire safety within residential or property environments.
• In-depth knowledge of fire safety legislation, regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to identify and manage fire risks, undertake fire risk assessments and develop fire strategies.
• Experience planning and delivering fire safety improvement programmes across multiple sites.
• Strong organisational, project management and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills with stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive, risk-based approach to problem-solving with practical solutions.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage fire safety compliance, ensuring adherence to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022.
• Manage and develop a team of fire safety professionals, providing leadership, training and performance management.
• Oversee fire risk assessments, ensuring actions are prioritised, allocated, completed and recorded.
• Develop and implement building-specific fire strategies and organisation-wide fire safety policies.
• Lead fire safety improvement programmes, managing budgets, contractors and procurement processes.
• Ensure statutory fire safety inspections, testing and maintenance are completed (doors, alarms, lighting, equipment, sprinklers).
• Maintain accurate fire safety records and ensure compliance information is accessible and up to date.
• Liaise with fire and rescue services, regulatory bodies, contractors and stakeholders, addressing audits and non-compliance.
• Oversee fire safety projects from assessment through procurement, delivery and completion.
• Develop resident engagement and communication strategies to promote fire safety awareness.
• Monitor budgets, contracts, performance and service delivery for value and high standards.
• Provide professional fire safety advice, prepare management reports and present updates to senior management.
• Lead service improvements, review practices and develop procedures for long-term safety.
• Ensure controls for maintenance and building works protect fire safety measures and compartmentation.
• Support wider health and safety responsibilities and maintain professional competence through ongoing training.

Skills

Excellent communication

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Project management

IT literacy

Education

Degree-level qualification in building-related discipline

IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Safety

NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are looking for a Fire Safety Manager to join a public sector organisation and lead their fire safety compliance across a diverse property portfolio, ensuring all buildings meet relevant fire safety legislation, regulatory requirements and organisational policies.

The role is responsible for maintaining a safe environment for residents, customers, visitors and staff, while overseeing fire safety programmes, risk management and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities as a Fire Safety Manager:

• Lead and manage fire safety compliance, ensuring adherence to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022.
• Manage and develop a team of fire safety professionals, providing leadership, technical guidance, training and performance management.
• Oversee fire risk assessments, ensuring identified actions are prioritised, allocated, completed and appropriately recorded.
• Develop and implement building-specific fire strategies and organisation-wide fire safety policies.
• Lead fire safety improvement programmes, managing significant budgets, contractors, consultants and procurement processes.
• Ensure statutory fire safety inspections, testing and maintenance are completed, including fire doors, alarms, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment and sprinkler systems.
• Maintain accurate fire safety records and ensure compliance information is accessible and up to date.
• Liaise with fire and rescue services, regulatory bodies, contractors and internal stakeholders, responding to audits and addressing any areas of non-compliance.
• Oversee fire safety projects from initial assessment and design through to procurement, delivery and completion.
• Develop resident engagement and communication strategies to promote fire safety awareness and ensure appropriate support for vulnerable residents.
• Monitor budgets, contracts, performance and service delivery, ensuring value for money and high standards of workmanship.
• Provide professional fire safety advice, prepare management reports and present compliance updates to senior management.
• Lead service improvements, review working practices and develop procedures to strengthen long-term fire safety management.
• Ensure appropriate controls are in place for maintenance and building works to protect fire safety measures and compartmentation.
• Support wider health and safety responsibilities and maintain professional competence through ongoing training.

Experience and Expertise required:

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant building-related discipline, with substantial post-qualification experience.
• At least five years' relevant technical or professional experience.
• Strong experience managing fire safety within residential or property environments.
• In-depth knowledge of fire safety legislation, regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to identify and manage fire risks, undertake fire risk assessments and develop appropriate fire strategies.
• Experience planning and delivering fire safety improvement programmes across multiple sites.
• Strong organisational, project management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines, budgets and resources.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive, risk-based approach to problem-solving, with the ability to develop practical and innovative solutions.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable Requirements: IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Safety or equivalent.

• NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety.
• Experience presenting technical information and advice to senior management and external stakeholders.