At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fire safety initiatives and ensure compliance across a diverse university estate.
- Company: Join a well-established university committed to safety and community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth in a dynamic setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety for a large university population.
- Qualifications: Fire safety qualification and strong knowledge of UK fire legislation required.
You will be joining a large, well-established university with a diverse and complex estate, including teaching facilities, laboratories, student accommodation, catering spaces, and public buildings. The institution is committed to providing a safe and compliant environment for its community and visitors, underpinned by a strong Estates and Facilities function and a proactive health and safety culture.
As a Fire Risk Officer, you will act as the lead specialist for fire safety across the university estate. Working closely with Estates and Health & Safety teams, you will ensure compliance with all relevant fire safety legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and associated regulations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Undertaking and managing fire risk assessments across a varied university estate
- Developing and maintaining fire strategies for academic, residential, and specialist buildings
- Managing and tracking remedial works arising from audits and inspections
- Overseeing fire safety systems, statutory inspections, and maintenance regimes
- Delivering fire safety advice, guidance, and training to staff and stakeholders
- Monitoring compliance performance and reporting through governance structures
- Managing external consultants, contractors, and procurement processes
You will play a key role in safeguarding a large university population, ensuring fire safety standards are consistently maintained and continuously improved.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- A recognised fire safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH Fire Safety or equivalent) and relevant professional membership
- Strong working knowledge of UK fire safety legislation and building regulations
- Proven experience carrying out fire risk assessments across varied and complex premises
- Experience managing compliance programmes, contractors, and remedial works
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of university stakeholders
- Strong organisational and project management capability
Experience in higher education, public sector, or similarly complex estates would be advantageous.
In return, you will receive:
- The opportunity to work within a large and diverse university estate
- A key role influencing safety and compliance across a broad portfolio of buildings
- A collaborative and supportive working environment
- Opportunities for professional development within a well-respected institution
- A competitive salary and benefits package
If you’re interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Fire Risk Officer employer: Hays Construction and Property
Contact Detail:
Hays Construction and Property Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fire Risk Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of the university on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on fire safety legislation and the specific challenges faced by universities. We want to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our communication skills! Since this role involves engaging with various stakeholders, let’s rehearse how we’d explain complex fire safety concepts in simple terms.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed and shows we’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Fire Risk Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your fire safety qualifications and relevant experience. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Fire Risk Officer, so don’t be shy about showcasing your expertise!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about fire safety and how you can contribute to our university's commitment to a safe environment. Keep it engaging and relevant!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Fire Risk Officer, you'll need to engage with various stakeholders. In your application, highlight examples of how you've effectively communicated complex fire safety information in the past. We love clear communicators!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Construction and Property
✨Know Your Fire Safety Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the UK fire safety legislation and building regulations before your interview. Being able to discuss specific laws, like the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically in a university setting.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share specific examples from your past roles where you've conducted fire risk assessments or managed compliance programmes. Highlighting your hands-on experience will demonstrate your capability and readiness for the responsibilities of the Fire Risk Officer role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since communication is key in this role, think about how you’ve successfully engaged with various stakeholders in previous positions. Be ready to discuss your approach to delivering fire safety advice and training, as well as how you’ve managed relationships with contractors and external consultants.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
The role requires strong organisational and project management skills, so come prepared with examples of how you’ve effectively managed multiple projects or tasks simultaneously. This will help illustrate your ability to oversee fire safety systems and track remedial works efficiently.