General Manager – Fire Safety (Regulation) in Huddersfield

Building and fire safety for our homes and neighbourhoods is a top priority at Kirklees Council. As General Manager – Fire Safety, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring statutory and regulatory requirements are met for all high‐risk residential buildings (HRRB), including those over 18m or 6 storeys high and Retirement Living Schemes, and that all buildings within Homes and Neighbourhoods meet statutory and regulatory requirements relating to fire, building and structural safety. You will lead on fire safety compliance, building safety, risk management, and the development and implementation of the Building Safety Case, fire safety strategies, ensuring the safety of tenants and residents.

You will lead engagement with tenants, residents, and key stakeholders, and ensure robust compliance and best practice across all areas of building and fire safety. You will also be responsible for the management of fire risk assessments, fire action management, emergency response, business continuity, and the development of Building Safety Case Reports.

You will lead a high functioning team made up of Fire Technical Officers and Property Assistants – currently a total of 4 direct reports – and be responsible for contract management of our chosen Fire Risk Assessment company and day‐to‐day cyclical inspection and remediation company.

• Ensure all high‐risk residential buildings are compliant with current legal and regulatory standards through ongoing risk assessments and mitigation.
• Develop policies, procedures, and systems to manage the "golden thread" of building data and produce fit‐for‐purpose Building Safety Case Reports.
• Ensure buildings are fit to occupy in line with Building Safety Regulator requirements.
• Manage the building in a way that meets the requirements of the Building Safety Case, ensuring any risks and avoidance of major incidents are managed effectively.
• Lead the development and delivery of the Council's Fire Safety Management Plan and related fire strategies.
• Manage day‐to‐day responses to risks in high‐risk buildings, collaborating across teams for effective solutions.
• Develop and implement Resident Engagement Plans tailored to each high‐risk building.
• Develop and deliver in collaboration with other teams, the Council's PCFRA and PEEPs policies.
• Advise the Building Safety Assurance Board and Accountable Person of any breaches of required standards.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to the Building Safety Regulator, including mandatory incident reporting.
• Lead, motivate, and engage teams to deliver high‐quality services and achieve key performance indicators.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders, including the Building Safety Regulator and West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.
• Support the organisation to deliver investment and remediation work, ensuring clear communication with tenants and residents.

• HNC or equivalent in Fire Safety, Building Safety or Construction or Building Survey qualification and/or demonstrable experience working in a regulatory compliance role and relevant management level knowledge and experience of Fire & Building / Structural Safety related to Social Housing, the Fire Safety Order 2005 Amended (RRO) and Building Safety Bill as well as related statutory regulations, British Standards and sector best practice.
• Detailed and current knowledge of the built environment and relevant legislation (Fire Safety Order 2005, Building Safety Bill, British Standards, sector best practice).
• Experience working with the Building Safety Regulator and with high‐risk residential buildings.
• Strong knowledge of safety case creation and golden thread management.
• Experience developing, mitigating, and reviewing dynamic risk assessments for residential buildings.
• Proven ability to develop customer‐facing policy and procedures and respond to regulatory requirements.
• Experience leading a high‐functioning team.
• Experience working collaboratively across disciplines and delivering customer engagement and consultation plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively and sensitively with vulnerable customers and a range of stakeholders.
• Experience of managing and maintaining information, data, records and databases to underpin building safety activity and compliance.
• Proven experience of budget management and reporting.
• Diploma level in asset, building and/or compliance management (e.g., NEBOSH Fire Certificate/Diploma or equivalent) is essential.
• IOSH or related Health & Safety qualification (essential).
• Membership of IFSM, IFE, IOSH or similar.
• Management qualification or professional membership (e.g., MCIOB, MRICS, RIBA, MRTPI, MCIH) is desirable.
• Ability to travel independently across Kirklees (exceptions may be made for disabled applicants).

Kirklees is a place of ambition and opportunity. As General Manager – Fire Safety, you'll join a leadership team that values innovation, collaboration and making a real difference in the lives of residents. We offer a supportive environment, professional development opportunities and the chance to shape the future of building safety in our borough.