Job Description
As a UK‑based Fire Safety Advisor for water infrastructure operations, you will support Thames Water and the Fire Safety Manager to embed a robust fire safety framework in line with Thames Water’s Zero Harm vision. You will apply UK fire safety expertise—with a focus on HOP (Human & Organisational Performance) principles—to reduce fire risk, build organisational resilience, and foster continuous learning and a Just Culture.\n\nWhat you’ll be doing as a Fire Safety Advisor\n\nDevelop and maintain a fire safety strategy aligned with organisational health & safety vision\nEnsure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, relevant British Standards (e.g. BS 9990, BS 5839), and local authority requirements.\nManage and review fire risk registers and assessments across operational and office sites; integrate outcomes into asset lifecycle management.\nImplement, manage and continuously improve a Fire Safety Management System—including policies, procedures, audit tools and KPIs.\nLead risk-based audits and site inspections to assess control effectiveness and drive action planning.\nFacilitate incident and near-miss investigations using HOP methodology and Safety‑II thinking.\nUse HOP mindset in incident analysis: understanding work-as-done, local rationality, system-level contributors.\nConduct post-incident reviews that explore “what normally goes right” to learn and prevent recurrence.\nCollaborate with operational managers, contractors, site HSW teams, regulators (e.g.
Fire & Rescue Service, HSE), and design/engineering colleagues.\nPresent fire risk and assurance insights and influence decision-making at all levels.\nDevelop, coordinate and deliver fire safety training: fire risk assessor, marshal, and evacuation drills.\nFoster a Just Culture where issues are reported openly, and workers are empowered to contribute to safety.\nDefine KPIs/KRIs and maintain dashboards tracking safety performance, control gaps, and improvement initiatives.\nMonitor industry developments and incident learnings across utilities and infrastructure; update standards accordingly.\nLead fire-related projects (e.g., detection upgrades, maintenance improvements), embedding HOP‑informed enhancements.\nBase location: Reading – With frequent travel\n\nWorking pattern: 36 Hours\n\nWhat you should bring to the role\n\nTo thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need are:\nNEBOSH Fire Certificate or Diploma (Level 4 or above), or equivalent fire safety qualification.\nProfessional recognition. (e.g. IFE Graduate/Member, CFPS, NFPA, or equivalent)\nIn‑depth knowledge of RRO 2005, relevant BS/ISO standards, and UK regulatory requirements.\nExtensive experience in fire safety roles (e.g.
utilities, COMAH sites).\nExperience establishing or maturing Fire Risk Management frameworks.\nSkilled in fire risk assessment, audits, investigations, emergency planning, and capital project scoping.\nProven stakeholder engagement: influencing senior leadership, regulatory liaison, and translating technical risk into strategic insight.\nDemonstrated application of HOP or Safety II approaches in investigations and continuous improvement.\nCompetence in fire risk management systems, dashboards, and inspection/reporting tools.\nStrong skills in evacuation planning, drill coordination, and training delivery.\nExcellent verbal and written communication—including executive-level reporting.\nWhat’s in it for you?\n\nCompetitive salary offering up to £60,000 per annum, depending on experience.\nAnnual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)\nCar Allowance.\nPerformance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.\nGenerous Pension Scheme through AON.\nAccess to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.\nFind out more about our benefits and perks\n\nWho are we?\n\nWe’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.
It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.\n\nLearn more about our purpose and values\n\nWorking at Thames Water\n\nThames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.\n\nIf you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.\n\nReal purpose, real support, real opportunities.
Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.\n\nWe’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work.
We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.\n\nWhen a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador.
Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.\n\nDisclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment