Fire Safety - Modular Construction Leader

This job is with ARUP, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

UKIMEA-wide, with flexibility to work from any UKIMEA Arup office.

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world. We're looking for a Director to provide senior leadership to grow Arup's modular construction fire safety service offering, bringing strategic leadership across Arup's Fire Safety Practice, supporting continued growth across the UK, Middle East, India, Africa and Europe by strengthening technical excellence and market presence in a rapidly developing area of the built environment.

As a trusted advisor to clients, project teams and industry stakeholders, you will help develop opportunities, lead technical delivery and build capability. Our work spans the iconic and the unconventional, from restoring Manchester's Grade-I listed Town Hall to transforming the British Museum in one of the world's largest cultural renovations. We also led fire safety on WorkStack, the UK's first mass timber light industrial building and a RIBA London Award winner, and advise portfolio clients on legacy fire safety issues, at individual building as well as portfolio level.

At Arup, we go beyond compliance. We conduct cutting-edge fire safety research, develop in-house digital tools, and collaborate with academia and industry to tackle emerging hazards and improve safety equity, especially for the most vulnerable. Join us and you'll be part of a diverse, innovative team that's been leading fire safety engineering for over 50 years.

The Fire Safety Director will provide leadership to support the continued expansion of the business, strengthen technical excellence, and enhance Arup's position as a market leader in fire safety engineering consultancy. The Director will provide senior leadership for modular methods of construction, bringing together specialists from across Arup's global business to bring Fire Safety to clients, influence manufacturers, contractors, regulators to shape robust, commercially viable and technically excellent solutions for volumetric, panelised and other industrialised construction systems.

The role will drive business growth through client engagement, market development and strategic opportunity pursuit, while ensuring the delivery of high-quality technical solutions across a diverse portfolio of projects. The Director will play a key role in developing and integrating specialist capabilities across Property, Healthcare, Education, Sport, and Transport, helping to deliver safe, sustainable, resilient and commercially successful outcomes.

The successful candidate will be a visible senior leader within Arup, combining commercial acumen, technical credibility, client leadership and people management. They will contribute to regional and business-wide strategy, promote collaboration across disciplines, and support the development of future leaders across the Fire Safety Practice. The successful candidate will be a senior fire safety leader with the credibility, judgement and commercial awareness to establish, lead and grow a modular fire safety capability across Arup.

The role will combine technical leadership, client relationship management, project direction and market development, with a focus on modular, offsite and industrialised construction. Working with the wider Fire Safety Practice and multidisciplinary teams, the Director will shape fire safety strategies that respond to the specific risks, interfaces and regulatory expectations associated with modular construction, while supporting safe, efficient and sustainable project delivery.

They will engage across UKIMEA, Europe and internationally, travel to Arup offices, client sites, strategic manufacturing facilities and project locations and industry forums as required. The postholder will build strong internal networks and external market relationships, and provide visible leadership across dispersed teams, with clients, industry bodies, regulators and government stakeholders.

They will help unify and strengthen Arup's specialist fire safety capabilities, support the development of industry-leading solutions, increase market share in key sectors, and reinforce Arup's reputation as a trusted adviser on complex fire and life safety challenges. The work will span early-stage advisory, due diligence, design strategy, assurance, site implementation and expert review for complex modular and modern methods of construction projects.

This is a senior leadership opportunity to influence a growing market and strengthen Arup's reputation for fire safety excellence. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to revenue growth, client retention and the long-term success of the Fire Safety Practice and wider Technical Specialist Services.

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake the following:

• Lead the growth and development of the Fire Safety Practice's modular service offering within the region and globally, identifying and securing strategic market opportunities.
• Strengthen Arup's market presence through client relationship management, thought leadership and successful project delivery.
• Champion innovation and best practice across emerging areas of fire safety, including modern methods of construction, modular delivery, building safety and regulatory compliance.
• Provide technical leadership in complex fire safety challenges, supporting both project delivery and industry advancement.
• Shape and implement business strategy, supporting sustainable growth, profitability and long-term resilience of the practice.
• Develop and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams, fostering technical excellence, collaboration and talent development.
• Build and maintain relationships with key clients, industry bodies, regulators and government stakeholders.
• Support risk management, quality assurance and governance activities to protect Arup's reputation and commercial position.
• Develop and integrate specialist capabilities across Transport, Specialist Services and Buildings to support sustainable, resilient and commercially successful outcomes.
• Provide visible leadership across dispersed UKIMEA teams, supporting collaboration, succession and the development of future leaders.

We're looking for:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional background in fire engineering, fire safety, structural fire engineering, building services, architecture, construction, engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant senior leadership experience in fire safety consultancy, engineering, construction, regulation or a related environment, with a strong track record of leading people, clients, projects and commercial outcomes.
• Strong technical credibility in complex fire engineering, structural fire engineering and life safety, with the ability to direct high-quality technical solutions across diverse sectors and geographies.
• Proven ability to shape business strategy, develop markets, secure work and support sustainable growth, profitability and long-term resilience.
• Strong understanding of UK fire safety legislation, statutory approval processes, the Building Safety Act context, regulatory compliance and relevant guidance affecting complex buildings and infrastructure.
• Experience or strong interest in emerging areas of fire safety, including modern methods of construction, modular delivery, building safety, resilience and innovation.
• Excellent client relationship, communication, judgement and leadership skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, manage ambiguity and lead inclusive, high-performing teams across multiple locations.

At Arup, we care about each member's success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive - through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup's legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you'll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you're pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas - this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion - we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact sarah-x.graham@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

Closing Date: 30th September 2026