Building Safety Manager
Watford Community Housing
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 - 37 hours per week
The Vacancy
We are looking for an experienced Building Safety Manager with a strong technical background and a proven track record of managing safety and compliance in highrise and complex residential buildings. This is a critical role, responsible for ensuring our residents live in safe, wellmanaged homes and that Watford Community Housing meets its duties under the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act 2021, and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
Introduction to the role
You will act as the lead for building safety across our 11 metre+ buildings and HigherRisk Buildings (HRBs). Working closely with internal teams and external specialists, you will ensure our buildings remain safe, compliant, and supported by robust evidence, clear resident communication, and strong operational oversight.
Role purpose
The Building Safety Manager provides senior operational leadership and assurance for the safe occupation, regulatory compliance, and longterm risk management of Watford Community Housing's 11 metre+ buildings, specialist housing schemes, and HRBs (18 metre+). You will ensure our buildings meet statutory requirements, that risks are identified and controlled, and that residents are engaged and informed.
What's the role?
Key Accountabilities:
* Act as the organisation's central point of accountability for building safety across all buildings over 11 metres.
* Lead the development, management, and continuous assurance of Safety Case Reports for all HRBs, ensuring risks are identified, controlled, and reduced to ALARP.
* Oversee the full lifecycle of Building Registration Certificates and Building Assessment Certificates, ensuring compliance and readiness for regulatory scrutiny.
* Establish and manage a robust Mandatory Occurrence Reporting (MOR) regime, including investigation, escalation, trend analysis, and statutory reporting to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
* Identify, assess, and manage fire, structural, and building safety risks, ensuring appropriate controls and remedial programmes are in place.
* Commission, review, and interpret Fire Risk Assessments, intrusive surveys, EWS assessments, compartmentation surveys, fire door inspections, and other technical reports, translating findings into actionable safety plans.
* Maintain and assure the accuracy of Golden Thread information, ensuring building, risk, and resident data is complete, current, and accessible.
* Provide assurance that building safety documentation and evidence meets regulatory expectations and audit requirements.
* Oversee contractors, consultants, and project teams working within HRBs, ensuring compliance with statutory duties, approved codes of practice, and organisational procedures.
* Intervene and escalate where unsafe practices, noncompliance, or performance concerns arise.
* Ensure emergency arrangements are communicated, tested, and reviewed in collaboration with Fire Safety colleagues and emergency services.
* Lead resident engagement within HRBs, delivering the Resident Engagement Strategy and facilitating quarterly resident safety meetings.
* Produce monthly performance, risk, and compliance reports for the Head of Asset & Sustainability.
* Keep up to date with changes in legislation, regulation, and best practice, promoting a positive and proactive building safety culture.
What are we looking for?
Essential:
* Direct experience managing building safety and compliance in highrise or complex residential buildings, with at least 3 years in a similar role.
* Strong working knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act 2021, and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, and their practical application in a registered provider or housing context.
* NEBOSH Fire Safety qualification (or equivalent).
* Buildingrelated degree, Level 4/5 Building Safety Management qualification, or equivalent experience.
* Demonstrable ability to interpret technical reports (FRAs, EWS, EICRs, compartmentation surveys, O&M data) and translate findings into clear, deliverable safety actions.
* Evidence of ongoing CPD and commitment to professional development.
* Strong understanding of fire and structural safety principles and the ability to apply them in operational settings.
* You will need to hold a UK driving licence with access to a suitable vehicle, with insurance cover for business use.
* You will need to maintain a satisfactory basic level DBS check.
Desirable:
* Experience navigating Building Safety Regulator Gateways and regulatory submissions.
* Experience working within the housing sector.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with residents, contractors, and regulators.
* Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement, and make evidencebased decisions.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel.
* Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, resident safety, and organisational values.
View full Job Description HERE
Who you'll work with
* Responsible to: Assistant Director of Building and Resident Safety
* Department: Building and Resident Safety
Our values
* Professional - We are honest, open and respectful. People trust us to keep our promises.
* Forward-thinking - We have a can-do attitude and embrace opportunities to improve and innovate.
* Collaborative - We work together as one team and build lasting partnerships to get results.
What can we offer you?
* 28 days' annual leave (pro rata)
* Employer pension contribution of up to 11%
* Development opportunities
* Comprehensive employee rewards scheme
How we work
We embrace agile working - blending time in our communities, shared spaces, and remote working. With digital technology at the heart of our approach, we empower teams and individuals to work flexibly.
How to apply
If this sounds like your next role, click 'apply now', tell us why you've got what it takes, and attach a copy of your current CV.
Closing date: 16th March 2026
Interviews: Week Commencing 23rd March 2026
(Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a large response.)