Fire Safety Manager in Manchester

• Fire Safety Manager
• Sector: Healthcare / Estates & Facilities

We are recruiting for an experienced Fire Safety Manager to join a large, complex and multi‑site organisation in Greater Manchester.

This is an excellent permanent opportunity for an experienced Fire Safety professional to take responsibility for the management and development of fire safety across a significant estate, supported by a dedicated Fire Safety team.

Previous NHS experience is not essential.

We are particularly interested in speaking with experienced Fire Safety professionals from other large, complex or highly regulated environments who have the technical knowledge and transferable experience required to step into the position.

Relevant backgrounds could include healthcare, universities and higher education, local authorities, blue‑light services, social housing, large commercial estates, facilities management, manufacturing, infrastructure or other complex multi‑site organisations.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Estates & Facilities Governance and Compliance, you will lead on the development, implementation and monitoring of fire safety arrangements across a diverse estate.

You will also provide leadership and professional support to a team of Fire Safety Officers and act as a senior source of specialist fire safety advice across the organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Leading and coordinating the organisation's approach to fire safety across multiple sites.
• Managing and providing professional support to Fire Safety Officers.
• Overseeing a comprehensive programme of Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) and fire safety audits.
• Developing and maintaining fire safety policies, procedures and associated governance arrangements.
• Providing specialist advice on fire safety legislation, regulation and best practice.
• Reviewing building plans, specifications and proposed works to ensure appropriate fire safety compliance.
• Working alongside Estates, Facilities, Capital Projects and Compliance teams to identify and manage fire‑related risks.
• Developing and overseeing fire safety training programmes and Training Needs Analysis.
• Coordinating fire drills, evacuation exercises and associated improvement plans.
• Investigating fires, false alarms and other fire‑related incidents and producing appropriate reports and recommendations.
• Developing strategies to reduce unwanted fire alarm activations.
• Liaising with the Fire & Rescue Service, external specialists, contractors and other relevant enforcement agencies.
• Ensuring contractors and project teams understand and comply with fire safety requirements.
• Monitoring actions arising from Fire Risk Assessments and ensuring appropriate remedial plans are developed and progressed.
• Managing fire safety‑related budgets and specialist contractor expenditure.
• Producing reports and presenting fire safety performance, risks and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Keeping abreast of changes to legislation, guidance and emerging fire safety best practice.

About You

We are looking for an established Fire Safety professional who has experience operating at management level within a large, complex or highly regulated estate.

You do not need to have worked within the NHS previously.

Candidates who can demonstrate strong transferable fire safety experience from other sectors are actively encouraged to apply.

• You will ideally be able to demonstrate
• Degree‑level education, a relevant professional Fire Safety qualification, or extensive senior‑level Fire Safety experience.
• Significant experience managing fire safety within a complex Estates & Facilities environment.
• Thorough knowledge of current fire safety legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Experience undertaking and/or overseeing Fire Risk Assessments across a range of premises, including higher‑risk or complex buildings.
• Experience developing and delivering fire safety training
• Strong understanding of passive and active fire safety measures.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to provide specialist advice to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strong report‑writing, analytical and audit skills.
• Experience managing budgets and specialist fire safety contractors.
• Membership of a relevant professional organisation such as the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) or Institute of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO).

Knowledge of healthcare‑specific fire safety guidance, including HTM 05-01 and HTM 05-03, would be advantageous; however, candidates joining from outside healthcare with the right technical foundation and willingness to develop their knowledge of healthcare‑specific requirements are encouraged to apply.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to take on a senior Fire Safety position within a large and technically complex estate, with responsibility for influencing fire safety strategy, compliance and culture across multiple sites.

You will have the opportunity to work closely with senior Estates & Facilities leaders, Capital Projects, operational teams and external fire safety professionals while leading a dedicated Fire Safety function.

For candidates currently working outside healthcare, this also represents an excellent opportunity to transfer your experience into a major public‑sector environment and develop specialist knowledge within one of the most complex areas of Estates & Facilities management.

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