About the roleImperial is a world Top 10 university with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. The Residential Services Department create a valuable resource for Imperial, which in turn supports our academic community of world leaders in the provision of Engineering, Medicine, Natural Sciences, Business Management, Research and Teaching.As Head of Residential Building Safety and Compliance, you will provide senior, specialist leadership to ensure a portfolio of residential buildings is safe, compliant, well maintained and fit for occupation.You will lead the delivery and assurance of building safety obligations, including the requirements of the Building Safety Act and Higher-Risk Building regime. Working closely with Property Division Centre of Expertise and specialist colleagues, you will bring together the professional insight needed to manage fire safety, statutory compliance, engineering, maintenance, health and safety, asset condition and wider property risks effectively.You will lead the Facilities Management function across your assigned residential portfolio, ensuring planned, reactive and statutory maintenance activities are integrated, well governed and supported by robust evidence and assurance. You will provide clear, independent and authoritative advice identifying significant risks and ensuring they are properly controlled, escalated and resolved.This is an influential senior leadership role for a confident, technically credible professional who is passionate about creating safe, resilient and high-performing residential environments. You will have the opportunity to shape building safety and compliance across Residential Services, working at the heart of an organisation committed to an excellent student experience, operational resilience and continuous improvement.What you would be doingYou will lead building safety, statutory compliance, facilities management and maintenance across a designated portfolio of residential buildings. You will oversee delivery of Building Safety Act and Higher-Risk Building requirements, maintain robust governance, evidence, reporting and resident-engagement arrangements, and provide authoritative advice on significant safety, fire, compliance and building-condition risks. Working closely with Property Division specialists, you will ensure obligations such as gas and electrical safety, water hygiene, energy performance and equipment testing are effectively managed, with deficiencies risk assessed, tracked to completion and escalated where necessary. You will also lead responses to audits, inspections, incidents and regulatory activity, ensuring lessons learned result in effective corrective action and that buildings remain safe and suitable for occupation.You will provide strategic and operational leadership for the portfolio’s Facilities Management function, directing planned, reactive and statutory maintenance; contractor performance; asset condition; lifecycle planning; and investment priorities. You will lead and develop Property Facilities Management teams, manage relevant budgets and performance information, and ensure clear accountability, customer-focused service and continuous improvement. You will work with residential operations, village management and senior stakeholders to coordinate significant works, minimise disruption to residents, support emergency and business-continuity arrangements, and provide clear assurance to the Director and governance forums on risks, compliance status, investment needs and required decisions.What we are looking forSignificant senior experience in building safety, statutory compliance, facilities management, maintenance or a related property discipline within complex, multi-building estates.Strong practical knowledge of the Building Safety Act, Higher-Risk Building regime and associated building-safety governance requirements.Proven ability to manage statutory compliance, assurance frameworks, audit activity, risk registers and remedial action plans.Extensive experience of planned, reactive and statutory maintenance in complex, occupied buildings, with a strong understanding of asset performance.Demonstrable capability to identify, assess, manage and escalate material building-safety, fire-safety and compliance risks.Experience of leading responses to significant building incidents, compliance failures, investigations and complex remediation activity.Effective leadership and people-management skills, with experience of developing professional facilities, property or building-management teams.Ability to work collaboratively with technical specialists, consultants, contractors and senior stakeholders while maintaining appropriate professional challenge.Excellent judgement, problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills, including the ability to balance competing priorities across a large property portfolio.Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across diverse teams and end users.Financial awareness and experience of managing budgets, controlling costs, preparing business cases and contributing to maintenance and capital-investment planning.Experience of capital projects, refurbishment, commissioning or building mobilisation, and knowledge of CAFM or building-performance systems, are desirable.What we can offer youAt Imperial, our values—respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation—guide everything we do. You’ll be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team, working on projects that directly contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our community.We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage interest from individuals who are underrepresented in our workforce.The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 43 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.Further informationIf you require any further details on the role please contact Anthony Shepherd, Director of Hospitality, Residential and Campus Operations by email – date: Midnight on Thursday, 8th October 2026
Head of Residential Building Safety Compliance in London employer: Imperial College London
Imperial College London is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation within the International Relations Office. Employees benefit from professional growth opportunities, a commitment to diversity, and the chance to engage in meaningful projects that have a global impact, all set in the heart of one of the world's leading academic institutions.
