Principle Building Safety Manager – AR in London

Westminster City Council is seeking an experienced Building Safety Lead to play a critical role in ensuring the safety and compliance of our housing stock, particularly High-Risk Buildings (HRBs), in line with the Building Safety Act 2022 and associated legislation. This is a high-impact role with responsibility for building safety strategy, compliance delivery, and cultural change across the organisation. The postholder will work closely with senior stakeholders, regulators, residents, contractors, and internal teams, and will be based primarily on-site at Victoria City Hall, with hybrid working available.

Key Responsibilities

• Building Safety & Compliance
  • Own, deliver and regularly review building safety policies, procedures, management plans and processes.
  • Lead the Building Safety Case programme, including oversight of registration of in-scope buildings with the Building Safety Regulator.
  • Quality assure Building Safety Case Reports and associated fire and structural risk assessments.
  • Ensure full compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act 2021, and secondary legislation.
  • Act as the councils subject matter expert for all building safety matters.
  • Own and deliver Mandatory Occurrence Reporting processes.
  • Drive delivery of the golden thread of building safety information across all WCC housing assets.
  • Deliver the building safety competency framework in line with PAS 8672 standards.
• Leadership & Governance
  • Line manage a multidisciplinary team including Building Safety Managers, Structural Engineer, Resident Engagement Officer and Administrator.
  • Report directly to the Head of Compliance & Building Safety, providing regular updates on compliance, remediation progress, KPIs and risks.
  • Chair and host Building Safety Committee meetings.
  • Horizon scan for legislative and regulatory changes impacting building safety.
• Programme & Project Delivery
  • Oversee allocation and tracking of building safety actions across reactive and planned works programmes.
  • Support procurement of consultants and remediation contractors outside existing frameworks where required.
  • Contribute to or manage client briefs for fire and safety improvement works.
  • Support Gateway submissions and works on in-scope buildings.
  • Review specifications and technical drawings to ensure compliance with Building Regulations and British Standards.
  • Oversee delivery and completion of building safety case reports in collaboration with Heads of Service.
• Stakeholder & Resident Engagement
  • Provide expert advice to internal departments on fire and building safety matters.
  • Work with Housing teams to support PEEP development.
  • Ensure robust resident engagement strategies and building safety information packs are delivered across all HRBs.
  • Liaise with Leaseholder Services on Section 20 consultations, and support planning, building control and listed building consent processes where required.
  • Engage with residents, leaseholders, councillors and external partners to promote a strong building safety culture.

What This Role Will Achieve

• Safe, compliant High-Risk Buildings delivered in line with statutory requirements.
• Improved organisational awareness and culture around building safety.
• Effective resident engagement and confidence in safety management.
• Robust governance, assurance and continuous improvement across WCCs housing portfolio.

Essential Experience

• Substantial senior-level experience in building safety management, surveying, maintenance or construction ideally within social housing.
• In-depth technical expertise in fire and building safety in residential environments.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation including the Building Safety Act, Fire Safety legislation, Building Regulations and Landlord & Tenant Act.
• Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary programmes from inception to completion.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience working in or with local authorities or housing providers.
• Confident liaising with residents, leaseholders, regulators and elected members.
• Experience using compliance or fire risk management software.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and decision-making ability.
• Ability to challenge proposals and evidence value for money.
• Financial forecasting and programme oversight skills.
• Political awareness and experience operating in a democratic environment.

Qualifications (Essential)

• NEBOSH Fire Safety Management Certificate (or equivalent Level 3 fire safety qualification).
• Degree in Building Surveying, Fire Engineering or a related discipline.
• Affiliation to IFSM or IFE (membership not required).
• Demonstrable competence in reviewing building safety assessments under a recognised risk register scheme.

Desirable

• Membership of RICS, CIOB, CABE or RIBA.

Values & Behaviours

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive leadership.
• Role model the Westminster Way, promoting learning, accountability and high performance.
• Strong people leadership with a coaching and empowering management style.
• Sound financial and resource management aligned with council governance.