We’re looking for an experienced Fire Safety Lead to take ownership of fire safety management across our housing portfolio and play a critical role in keeping residents safe. This is a key specialist position within our Property & Compliance function, providing expert leadership on fire safety strategy, assurance, and delivery.
You’ll be responsible for ensuring compliance with fire safety legislation and best practice, overseeing risk assessments and remedial programmes, and working closely with internal teams, residents, contractors, and regulators. The role offers the opportunity to shape fire safety culture, influence strategic decisions, and support the organisation in meeting its building safety obligations.
What You’ll Be Doing
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Lead the organisation’s approach to fire safety management across a diverse residential portfolio, including low-rise, high-rise, and complex buildings.
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Act as the subject matter expert on fire safety legislation and guidance, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, Building Safety Act, and relevant British Standards.
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Oversee the delivery, review, and quality assurance of Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs), ensuring actions are prioritised, tracked, and completed within agreed timescales.
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Develop and manage fire safety improvement and remediation programmes, including compartmentation works, fire doors, alarms, emergency lighting, and evacuation signage.
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Work closely with surveying, asset management, and capital works teams to ensure fire safety is embedded into planned maintenance and major works programmes.
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Manage and monitor external consultants and contractors delivering fire safety-related services, ensuring competence, quality, and value for money.
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Maintain accurate fire safety records and data, supporting reporting, audits, and regulatory submissions.
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Lead on fire safety investigations, audits, and compliance reviews, escalating risks and providing clear recommendations.
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Act as a key point of contact for residents on fire safety matters, supporting clear communication, engagement, and reassurance.
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Liaise with external stakeholders including fire authorities, regulators, and auditors as required.
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Contribute to organisational policies, procedures, and training to promote a strong fire safety culture.
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Support emergency planning and incident response arrangements, including post-incident reviews where necessary.
About You
You’ll be a knowledgeable and confident fire safety professional with experience managing fire risk in residential or complex built environments. You’ll be comfortable providing expert advice, challenging poor practice, and working collaboratively to deliver safe outcomes.
You’ll need:
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A recognised qualification in fire safety, fire engineering, building safety, or a related discipline.
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Significant experience in a fire safety or compliance role, ideally within social housing, local authority, or a similar regulated environment.
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Strong working knowledge of fire safety legislation, guidance, and best practice.
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Experience overseeing Fire Risk Assessments and managing remedial action plans.
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Proven ability to manage contractors and consultants delivering fire safety works.
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Strong analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
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Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex fire safety issues to non-technical audiences.
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A proactive, risk-aware approach with a strong commitment to resident safety.
It would be great if you also have:
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Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. IFSM, IFE) or working towards chartered status.
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Experience working with high-rise residential buildings or buildings in scope of the Building Safety Act.
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Knowledge of wider building safety or compliance disciplines.
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Experience developing fire safety strategies, policies, or training programmes