Head of Fire Safety - Contract - South London

Key Responsibilities for the Head of Fire Safety -

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive fire safety strategy aligned with the broader health and safety objectives.
• Lead the development of a fire risk management framework, ensuring that fire risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated.
• Provide strategic advice and evidence-based leadership, including the Chief Operations Officer, Director of Safety, Deputy Safety Director and the Chief Property Officer, on key fire safety issues and long-term fire safety planning.
• Provide support and assistance in the compilation and review of fire risk assessments and building specific fire manuals.
• Establish and implement fire safety policies that align with the risk management framework, ensuring continuous alignment with emerging fire safety trends and legal requirements.
• Act as the senior fire safety representative at meetings with leadership, governance bodies, and regulatory agencies.
• Provide regular, detailed reports to the senior leadership team on fire safety performance, incidents, risks, and progress on safety initiatives.
• Submitting regular reports to Health and Safety Committees, and attending these and other relevant internal meetings and working groups
• Maintaining comprehensive records regarding all fire related provisions and activities, for inspection by the relevant external authorities and for internal auditing.
• Ensure all fire related alarm activations and incidents are investigated and reported
• Suspending activities, including restricting or prohibiting the use of buildings, if they believe there is a serious and imminent risk of fire, or significant risk to the safety of occupiers.
• Managing the workload, priorities and performance of the Fire Team, developing, setting and reviewing performance standards and targets as necessary.
• Assume overall responsibility for fire safety ensuring compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and other relevant legislation.
• Overseeing the monitoring of all contractors (Framework & Approved), to ensure they operate in accordance with policy and codes of practice in respect of fire safety.
• Monitor key fire safety performance indicators (KPIs) and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance fire safety practices and reduce risks.
• Influence strategic decisions on new developments, refurbishments, and major works to ensure fire safety is incorporated into all stages of project planning and implementation. Providing fire safety technical and legislative advice for all projects and refurbishments; this includes liaising with building and fire authorities and agreeing solutions to any issues that may arise.
• Monitoring and auditing the implementation of fire safety policies, procedures and codes of practice, including selection of firefighting equipment and fire alarm systems, and oversight of appropriate testing and maintenance.
• Act as a key member of the crisis management team, providing expert fire safety guidance during major incidents, emergencies, or disasters.
• Lead and oversee fire safety-related incident responses, ensuring effective communication and coordination between departments during fire emergencies.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with external fire safety regulators, enforcement bodies, and emergency services to ensure compliance and best practice.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of fire safety professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and professional growth.

Experience required for the Head of Fire Safety -

• Proven experience in a senior fire safety leadership role within a complex, multi-site organization
• Extensive experience leading fire safety operations, implementing fire safety strategies, and managing fire risk assessments across large estates.
• Significant experience of fire risk assessment, utilising PAS 79 in a variety of large and complex premises accommodating a range of risk scenarios
• Practical experience of applying fire safety legislation, fire safety management, and the principles of fire engineering.
• Experience of fire safety enforcement procedures and audits.
• Practical experience in fire investigation, policy formulation and inspections/auditing.
• Proven experience of building, managing, developing, and leading a committed team to ensure the successful delivery of service and act as a mentor/coach to support their professional development.
• Desirable - Proven experience of successfully leading organisational and cultural change.
• Desirable - Experience of representing and promoting a service at both internal and external meetings/events to ensure that issues are appropriately represented and acted upon.