Fire Resistance - Senior Project Leader

Fire safety is critical to the performance and resilience of the built environment. At BRE, our fire protection teams play a leading role in testing and certifying products that help protect people, buildings, and infrastructure. As demand for fire resistance and large-scale testing continues to grow, we are looking for a Senior Project Leader to join our Fire Protection team at our site in Watford.

Your Role at BRE

The Senior Project Leader oversees the delivery of fire resistance and large-scale fire testing projects within BRE’s Fire Protection team, ensuring testing activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with relevant standards.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Manage fire testing projects from initial enquiry through to delivery of final test reports.
• Ensure testing programmes are delivered in line with relevant BS and EN standards, quality requirements, and laboratory procedures.
• Maintain ownership of client relationships throughout the lifecycle of testing projects.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical quotations and support responses to client enquiries.
• Coordinate testing activities within the laboratory to ensure efficient project delivery.
• Provide technical input to improve testing processes and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support the development and capability of the wider team through coaching and knowledge sharing.
• Represent the Fire Protection team at relevant external forums and industry engagements.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and quality standards within laboratory operations.

What We Are Looking For

• Significant experience working at a senior technical level within fire resistance or large-scale fire testing environments.
• Strong project management experience, with the ability to oversee multiple testing projects from enquiry to report delivery.
• Proven experience producing high-quality technical reports.
• Solid understanding of relevant fire testing standards and laboratory processes.
• Working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 and its application within testing laboratories.
• Strong understanding of health and safety requirements within a laboratory or testing environment.
• Ability to prioritise and coordinate work across multiple projects within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Experience contributing technical expertise to improve processes and operational efficiency.
• Strong client liaison capability, supporting enquiries, quotations, and ongoing project communication.
• Experience supporting or mentoring team members within a technical testing environment.
• Engineering or scientific background, ideally within structural, mechanical, materials, or fire engineering disciplines (desirable).
• Degree qualification in engineering or a scientific discipline, or equivalent practical experience (desirable).
• Commercial awareness and understanding of testing services within a certification or assurance environment.
• Commitment to maintaining the technical integrity and reputation of fire testing services delivered by BRE.

BRE Benefits

At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development.