At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead building safety initiatives and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, a diverse and vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, JNC benefits, and commitment to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the safety and wellbeing of Southwark's residents.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership in project management and deep knowledge of building safety legislation.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 101688 - 127625 £ per year.
Location: London
Schedule: Full-time
Salary Range: £101,688 - £127,625
Contract Type: Permanent
Why Southwark? Southwark is a brilliantly diverse and economically varied borough, home to a vibrant range of communities and cultures. As we work towards building a greener, fairer, and safer Southwark, we are seeking exceptional individuals to join us in creating lasting change. The Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of our residents by leading strategic and operational initiatives that uphold the highest standards of building safety.
What You'll Be Doing: As the Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance you will have a pivotal responsibility in ensuring all council-owned properties comply with statutory and non-statutory safety regulations. This includes overseeing key legislation such as the Building Safer Futures legislation and the Fire Safety Act, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding residents across Southwark’s diverse housing portfolio. In this role, you will inspire and lead the Building Safety and Engineering teams, who are responsible for ensuring compliance in high-risk buildings, fire safety, heat networks, and electrical and gas systems. Through effective monitoring, strategic planning, and the implementation of safety measures, you will drive long‑term policies that support the safe management of housing across the borough. Financial management and internal governance are key components, where you will need to ensure Southwark meets its safety obligations while delivering cost‑effective services. Collaboration is a central part of the role, as you will need to have strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and resident representatives. By aligning the Council’s strategic objectives with broader housing quality and safety goals, you will play a vital role in enhancing the wellbeing of Southwark’s diverse population. Additionally, you will lead a talented and inclusive team, fostering a positive workplace culture that reflects the Council’s values of equality, transparency, and community focus.
What We’re Looking For: We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated leader with strong expertise in project and programme management within complex regulatory environments. A deep understanding of key legislation, including the Building Safety Act 2022, is essential, along with knowledge of frameworks such as the Building Safety Regulator and Social Housing Regulator. This means you will have a deep experience across relevant construction, design or property disciplines, capable of providing strategic leadership, technical assurance and strong governance. You will need to have extensive leadership and management experience, with a proven ability to coach, develop, and motivate senior staff in politically sensitive environments. You will also need to demonstrate strategic planning experience at both local and regional levels, along with a track record of consulting and engaging with diverse communities to deliver positive outcomes. Strong communication and leadership skills are vital to success in this role, as you will be expected to effectively engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring that Southwark remains at the forefront of building safety and compliance.
If you are passionate about making a real impact in a borough as dynamic and diverse as Southwark, and if you have the expertise and leadership experience to drive excellence in building safety, we would love to hear from you.
Additional Information: Salary range: £101,688 - £127,605 pa, plus JNC benefit to the value of £3,503 pa.
Benefits: Working for Southwark Council.
Recruitment timeline: Closing date: Sunday 1 March 2026. Technical assessment: Wednesday 11 March 2026. Stakeholder Panel: Wednesday 18 March 2026. Final Interview: Tuesday 24 March 2026.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long‑term health condition.
Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance employer: London Borough Of Southwark
Contact Detail:
London Borough Of Southwark Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those already working at Southwark. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Southwark’s recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also in making a real impact in our community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through, so don’t be afraid to let your passion for building safety show!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the council’s values right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading teams and inspiring others, don’t forget to include examples of your leadership experience. Share specific instances where you've motivated a team or driven successful projects in complex environments.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and make sure your passion for building safety shines through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough Of Southwark
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on key legislation like the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety Act. Being able to discuss these in detail will show your expertise and commitment to building safety, which is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in complex regulatory environments. Highlight your experience in coaching and developing senior staff, as this will demonstrate your ability to inspire and manage a talented team.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built relationships with various stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share specific instances where your communication skills helped influence decisions or foster collaboration, as this is key for the role.
✨Align with Southwark's Values
Familiarise yourself with Southwark's commitment to equality, transparency, and community focus. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to creating a fairer and safer borough.