Head of Fire Safety

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious healthcare organization is seeking a Fire Safety Manager to lead compliance with fire safety legislation and advise senior management on safety strategies. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role, alongside relevant qualifications. The position involves developing policies, managing training, and ensuring safety across multiple sites.

Benefits

Career development

Flexible working

Wellbeing programs

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a Fire Safety Manager with expert knowledge of fire safety legislation.
• At least 3 years’ experience in the NHS or similar environments.
• Experience in problem-solving and creating robust fire safety strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead on all matters of fire safety within the Trust.
• Ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.
• Develop fire safety policies and oversee training for staff.

Skills

Compliance with fire safety legislation

Development of fire safety policies

Team leadership

Problem-solving for evacuation plans

Understanding of building fire design

Education

Master's degree in operational fire safety management

NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety

FPA Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

As the Trust's 'competent person' on all matters relating to Fire Safety, the post holder will ensure that that the Trust complies with Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) legislation and will work closely with all relevant parties within the Trust's hospital and community premises externally to ensure the provision of a fire safe environment for patients/staff/visitors and to facilitate sustained care and well-being.

By the provision of competent advice, assist the Trust Board, Director of Estates and Facilities and the Trust in providing and maintaining levels of fire precaution within Trust premises in line with NHS Health Technical Memorandum Fire Code suite of documents requirements, and maintaining good relationships with the London Fire Brigade.

The post holder will be part of a high-skilled, professional compliance safety team that forms an integral part of the Trust's Estates and Facilities Directorate. Developing and maintaining an open and transparent Fire Safety Management System, the post holder will be able to provide assurance through the Director of Estates and Facilities and the wider Trust board on matters relating to Fire Safety.

Main duties of the job

As an autonomous lead on all matters of fire safety you will be the Trust's lead expert for fire safety, providing expert professional advice to the Trust board and senior management on all current fire safety legislation, including the Building Safety Act 2022 and The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

You will be responsible for ensuring the Trust is compliant with their legal and statutory requirements and that all fire safety regulations under current statutes and codes of practice are addressed across a complex and multi-site organisation.

As the expert in Fire Safety you will develop and lead on policies and strategies for implementation of the Trusts' fire compliance annual mandatory programme. To continually improve reporting systems in order to maintain a safe environment for patients and staffYou will lead, and provide expert specialist and professional fire information service for all capital projects, provide advice to other clients/partners, directors, and senior management of the trust.

You will also identify any existing and potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for improvement across all trust sites and advise on the management of Fire Safety and Risk in the workplace; and is responsible for the effectiveness of comprehensive fire safety training programme, for all staff at all levels in the Trust.

Interviews will be held in person on Wednesday 22 October at St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY.

About us

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.

Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person Specification

Qualifications / Education

• Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) - Member
• The Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) - Member
• NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety
• Master's degree or equivalent in operational fire safety management
• FPA Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment
• FPA Fire Safety Design of Buildings
• NAHFO Membership and CPD
• Other teacher or training qualifications
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Experience

• At least 3 years' experience working as a Fire Safety Manager (or equivalent) in the NHS
• Expert knowledge of fire safety legislation and management systems including the NHS HTM 05 suite of documents
• At least 5 years' experience of supervising the preparation of Fire Risk Assessments and validating the final documentation
• Experience of working with Capital Projects team/contractors for complex new build or refurbishment projects
• Experience of working at a senior and Board level with external bodies such as Fire and Rescue Services.
• Experience in the preparation of training strategies and overseeing training needs assessments
• At least 5 years' experience in problem solving in order to develop robust evacuation plans and fire strategies within the workplace
• Extensive experience gained in the process to ensure legal compliance required under health and safety as well as an appreciation of the intricate language of legal documents etc.
• Experience of procuring and implementing Fire Risk Assessment IT systems
• Experience of Microsoft Office would be an advantage, although training will be given where necessary

Skills/Knowledge/ Abilities

• Significant experience of development of Fire Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Extensive practical application of fire prevention theory and highly developed specialist detailed knowledge of building fire design and construction
• Experience of leading a team and working with limited support
• Formulation and presentation of technical reports.
• Understanding of clinical and operational requirements of Trust departments in order to plan and manage suitable fire safety arrangements
• Ability to continually monitor and improve fire prevention and response systems.
• An understanding of manual handling regulations and the ability to assess any associated risks in the workplace

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.