Background
The Lead Fire Safety Adviser will be a key member of the University Health and Safety Team, part of the Legal Services, Governance, Risk and Compliance Directorate. Reporting to the Head of Occupational Health and Safety, the post holder will lead on fire safety across all campuses, ensuring a safe, compliant, and resilient environment for students, staff, and visitors.
Responsibilities
As Lead Fire Safety Adviser, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the University’s fire safety strategy. Working closely with the Head of Occupational Health and Safety, you will act as the University’s ‘competent person’, providing expert advice on compliance with fire safety legislation, policy, and best practice across all campuses.
You will lead the development of fire prevention and protection arrangements, undertake the fire risk assessment programme, and advise on the effective design and monitoring of fire systems. A key part of the role will be carrying out the building fire risk assessments, delivering training, supporting emergency evacuation planning, overseeing the Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans and embedding a strong fire safety culture across our diverse academic, research, and residential estate.
The role also involves close liaison with staff, students, NHS partners, and third-party tenants, ensuring that fire safety management strategies, policies, and procedures remain effective, responsive, and legally compliant.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will possess extensive knowledge of UK fire safety legislation and associated health and safety law, supported by relevant professional qualifications (e.g. Fire Risk Assessor Level 4, Fire Risk Diploma, IFE membership). They will have substantial experience managing fire safety in complex organisations, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to advise confidently on fire safety principles. Strong interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills are essential to embed a positive fire safety culture across the University.