Head of Fire Safety

Insight Executive Group; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London seeks a Head of Fire Safety to lead fire safety across a multi-site NHS estate. You will shape strategy, standards and systems, influencing Board decisions and ensuring safety is embedded in major projects.

The role requires extensive NHS fire safety experience, leadership at senior levels, and expertise in HTM 05, risk assessments and regulatory compliance. You will drive improvements across risk, reporting and collaboration with external bodies.

Qualifications

• Experience operating in a complex healthcare environment.
• Expert knowledge of fire safety legislation and management systems.
• Experience supervising and validating Fire Risk Assessments.
• Proven ability to work with capital project teams on complex builds or refurbishments.
• Experience advising senior or Board level stakeholders on fire safety risk and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing the Trust's fire safety strategy, policies and long-term management plans.
• Ensuring statutory and regulatory fire safety requirements are met across acute and community sites.
• Advising the Trust Board, Executive Management Board and senior leaders on fire safety legislation, risk and compliance.
• Overseeing fire risk assessments, audits, fire strategies and safety plans across the estate.
• Identifying vulnerabilities and implementing practical improvements.
• Working with capital project teams to ensure new builds, refurbishments and upgrades meet fire safety requirements.
• Building strong relationships with the London Fire Brigade and other external bodies.
• Driving continual improvement in fire prevention, response and reporting.
• Leading the Fire Safety Team, with line management of the Fire Safety Manager and Fire Safety Training Co-ordinator; overseeing the wider team of Fire Safety Advisors.
• Shaping fire safety training across the organisation to ensure staff at all levels are equipped to maintain a safe environment.

Skills

NHS experience

HTM 05 knowledge

Fire Risk Assessments

Capital projects collaboration

Senior/Board liaison

Fire prevention

Team leadership

MIFireE

MIFSM

NEBOSH Fire Safety

FPA Level 4

FPA Healthcare Premises

Job description

Make a lasting impact on how fire safety is managed across the Trust

Take responsibility for fire safety across Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust's complex, multi-site estate as Head of Fire Safety in London.

This is a senior role with the scope to influence how fire safety is managed now and in the future.

Be the Trust's lead expert, shaping the strategy, standards and systems that protect patients, staff and visitors. You'll influence decisions at Board level, lead and develop the Fire Safety Team and work closely with capital projects to ensure safety and compliance are built into both new developments and existing environments.

The impact you'll have

Take ownership of a critical function across a major NHS estate. Your expertise will help create safer environments, strengthen compliance and influence how fire safety is considered in the Trust's estates strategy and capital investment plans.

For the right person, it's a chance to make improvements that will be felt across the organisation and the environments in which people deliver and receive care every day.

Bring your expertise to major capital projects

Fire safety is integral to the development of the Trust's estate. You'll work alongside capital projects, contractors, architects, engineers and other technical specialists, providing expert advice throughout the project lifecycle.

From reviewing proposed fire alarm and detection systems to ensuring completed projects have the appropriate fire risk assessments, approvals and compliance sign-off, you'll have the authority to influence how safety is designed into the estate.

Shape fire safety Trust-wide, taking responsibility for

• Developing and implementing the Trust's fire safety strategy, policies and long-term management plans.
• Ensuring statutory and regulatory fire safety requirements are met across acute and community sites.
• Advising the Trust Board, Executive Management Board and senior leaders on fire safety legislation, risk and compliance.
• Overseeing fire risk assessments, audits, fire strategies and safety plans across the estate.
• Identifying vulnerabilities and putting practical improvements in place.
• Working with capital project teams to ensure new builds, refurbishments and upgrades meet fire safety requirements.
• Building strong relationships with the London Fire Brigade and other external bodies.
• Driving continual improvement in fire prevention, response and reporting.

Lead the people behind it

Lead the Trust's Fire Safety Team, with direct line management responsibility for the Fire Safety Manager and Fire Safety Training Co-ordinator and oversight of the wider team of Fire Safety Advisors.

You'll also shape fire safety training across the organisation, ensuring people at every level have the knowledge and support they need to maintain a safe environment.

What you'll bring

If you are an established fire safety professional with significant experience operating in a complex healthcare environment, this is the role for you.

You'll need:

• At least three years' experience as a Fire Safety Manager, or equivalent, within the NHS.
• Expert knowledge of fire safety legislation and management systems, including the NHS HTM 05 suite.
• At least five years' experience supervising and validating Fire Risk Assessments.
• Experience working with capital project teams and contractors on complex new-build or refurbishment projects.
• Experience working at senior and Board level and with external bodies such as Fire and Rescue Services.
• Strong knowledge of fire prevention, building fire design and construction.
• The ability to lead a team, influence senior stakeholders and make informed decisions in complex situations.
• Membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE).
• Membership of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (MIFSM).
• NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety.
• FPA Fire Risk Assessment Level 4.
• FPA Fire Risk Management in Healthcare Premises

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is making seven key appointments across its Estates and Facilities team, bringing together leadership and specialist expertise in capital, programme delivery, clinical engineering and fire safety.