At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform building safety functions, ensuring compliance and safety for our communities.
- Company: Ambitious housing association dedicated to creating safer homes in the West Midlands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, impactful leadership role, and opportunity to make a difference.
- Other info: Influential role with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Join us to shape the future of building safety and enhance community well-being.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in building safety and compliance, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 126420 - 126420 £ per year.
As one of the UK's most ambitious housing associations, we're investing in our existing homes, delivering regeneration programmes and building the homes our communities need for the future. Our customers are at the heart of every decision we make, and we're committed to creating stronger, safer communities across the West Midlands.
We're looking for an exceptional leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Director of Building Safety and have a lasting impact on thousands of homes within the communities we serve. This is a career-defining opportunity to lead and transform our building safety function, providing inspirational leadership across Compliance, Fire Safety and internal and external Health & Safety, ensuring our colleagues and customers remain safe and protected while helping us build a stronger, more resilient organisation.
At Citizen, we are committed to working together to create a home that is a foundation for life - warm, safe homes and excellent services to our customers. Reporting to our Chief Operating Officer, this is a highly influential role with responsibility for setting strategic direction, strengthening assurance and compliance, and ensuring we continue to meet the highest standards of safety for our customers.
You will lead the development and delivery of our long-term building safety strategy, provide expert advice to the Board and Executive Team, and foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and accountability across Citizen.
We're looking for a strategic, visible and values-led leader with significant experience in building safety and compliance within a large, complex property environment, ideally with exposure to residential accommodation. You’ll bring deep technical expertise, strong regulatory knowledge and the credibility to influence at Board level, alongside a genuine passion for customer safety. Most importantly, you'll be someone who develops high-performing teams, embraces change and shares our values and ambitions.
The closing date for applications is 9am Tuesday 1 September 2026.
Director of Building Safety employer: Citizen
Citizen in Birmingham is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets community impact. With a strong focus on professional development and a supportive team culture, employees are empowered to lead meaningful projects that enhance service delivery. The hybrid working model provides flexibility, making it an attractive workplace for those looking to balance their career with personal commitments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Building Safety
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Citizen, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Director of Building Safety at Citizen.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Building Safety
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Citizen
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
