Principal Fire Officer

The Engineer; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Manchester is seeking an experienced Principal Fire Officer to ensure compliance with fire safety standards and manage risk across its extensive portfolio. The ideal candidate will hold a degree in a related discipline and have significant experience in fire safety management, including advising on fire safety in complex buildings. The role offers a competitive package, generous benefits, and a supportive working environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance

Pension scheme membership

Well-being programme

Learning and development opportunities

Season ticket loans

Cycle to Work Scheme

Workplace nursery scheme

Staff recognition schemes

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Significant experience in fire safety management.
• Experience with complex buildings and high-rise accommodation.
• Recognized fire risk assessment competency.

Responsibilities

• Advising on fire safety strategy and management.
• Monitoring and auditing fire safety systems.
• Developing fire safety standards and maintaining records.

Skills

Fire safety management

Excellent oral and written communication

Project management

Advising on fire safety

Influencing and motivating

Education

Degree in Fire / Engineering / Construction related discipline

Membership of the Institute of Fire Engineers (MIFireE)

Job description

About the job

Job Title : Principal Fire Officer

Location : Manchester

Salary : £, - £, per annum depending on experience

Job type : Full Time, Permanent (1 FTE)

Closing date : / / 5

The Role : We are looking to recruit a Principal Fire Officer with significant experience of fire safety management to join our Client Services team, who are committed to supporting the University's core aims of excellence in Research, Teaching, and Social Responsibility. The University of Manchester is a top‑ranking research‑intensive university with the largest and one of the most internationally diverse campuses in the UK. Your role will be important in ensuring high standards of fire safety are maintained for the University's staff, students and visitors across our extensive building portfolio. Reporting to the Head of Client Services, you will be responsible for advising the University on fire safety strategy and management. As well as providing competent technical advice, this will include developing fire safety standards, monitoring and auditing our fire safety systems and ensuring we maintain auditable records of our fire safety arrangements, including up to date records of fire risk assessments, fire strategies and fire evacuation plans. You will work closely with Professional Services colleagues, and the professional and academic departments of the University, to ensure a co‑ordinated approach to the management of fire safety risk, the achievement of a positive culture and high standards of fire safety performance.

Your competency in fire safety management will be evident through your extensive experience and qualifications, which will include experience of advising on fire safety for complex buildings and high‑rise accommodation. The successful candidate will hold a membership with a relevant professional organisation, along with having a recognised fire risk assessment competency. You will possess excellent oral and written communication skills and a pragmatic approach, demonstrating a practical application which takes account of business needs. A consultative and facilitative style of service delivery, combined with good influencing and motivating skills and the ability to plan and manage projects and workloads to deliver necessary changes will be essential to deliver the requirements of this role. The successful candidate will possess Membership of the Institute of Fire Engineers (MIFireE) and be educated to degree level in a Fire / Engineering / Construction related discipline or IFE Level 4 Certificate, with experience of managing a team of staff.

Relevant experience in the provision of fire advice on construction, development and maintenance work is essential. As one of the leading Universities our employees enjoy exclusive access to excellent benefits and schemes including:

• Generous annual leave allowance, including Christmas / New Year closure.
• Pension scheme membership to provide benefits for you and your family.
• Well‑being programme with counselling, fitness and leading sports facilities.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Season ticket loans for public transport.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Workplace nursery scheme.
• Staff recognition schemes.
• Staff discounts on a range of products and services including travel and high street savings.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments will be made on merit. Any CV's submitted by recruitment agencies will be treated as a gift. Candidates with experience or relevant job titles such as Chief Fire Officer, Fire Chief, Fire and Rescue Service Manager, Fire Officer, Lead Fire Officer, may also be considered.