Capital Fire Safety Manager

Provide specialist fire safety leadership across a major healthcare capital programme. This is a specialist technical appointment within the Capital Delivery function, providing authoritative fire safety advice, assurance and challenge across capital projects delivered throughout the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust estate. The role will support project managers, senior project managers and senior stakeholders to ensure that new-build, refurbishment, infrastructure and compliance schemes are planned and delivered in accordance with fire safety legislation, healthcare guidance and recognised professional standards.

The opportunity involves working as part of the Capital Delivery function and in close partnership with the GMS Fire Safety Team. The Capital Fire Safety Manager will provide expert advice and assurance throughout the capital project lifecycle. The postholder will help ensure that fire safety risk is identified early, technical requirements are embedded within designs and specifications, and completed works achieve the required standards of safety, compliance and operational readiness.

• Provide specialist fire safety advice, scrutiny and assurance across capital projects from feasibility and design through construction, commissioning and handover.
• Interpret and apply relevant fire safety legislation, Building Regulations, British Standards and NHS healthcare fire guidance, including the HTM 05 suite.
• Review project designs, fire strategies, specifications, technical submissions and proposed fire safety solutions, identifying risk and recommending proportionate action.
• Work collaboratively with capital project managers, designers, contractors, Authorising Engineers, the Fire Safety Team, clinical services and other technical stakeholders.
• Act as, or work towards appointment as, the organisation’s Fire Authorised Person in accordance with the applicable competency and governance arrangements.
• Support inspections, audits, testing, commissioning, handover and the close-out of fire safety actions, ensuring that records and assurance evidence are complete and robust.
• Provide clear technical advice and constructive challenge where project proposals, delivery methods or completed works could compromise fire safety, statutory compliance or patient environments.
• Participate in the organisation’s Silver/Bronze on-call arrangements, providing specialist advice and operational support during incidents and escalations as required.

This role requires an established fire safety professional with the credibility and technical judgement to operate across a complex acute healthcare estate and influence multidisciplinary capital teams. It is not intended for generalist project managers who cannot demonstrate substantial fire safety expertise, or for candidates whose experience is limited solely to routine operational inspections without involvement in construction, refurbishment or complex estates projects.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• A relevant degree, diploma or equivalent Level 4 or higher professional qualification in fire safety, fire engineering, building safety, construction or a closely related discipline.
• Relevant professional membership or registration with a recognised body such as the Institution of Fire Engineers, or evidence of working towards an appropriate level of membership.
• Substantial practical knowledge of fire safety legislation, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, Building Regulations, Approved Document B, relevant British Standards and healthcare fire guidance.
• Experience providing specialist fire safety advice within capital projects, construction, refurbishment, estates or other technically complex and highly regulated environments.
• The competence and experience required to undertake Fire Authorised Person responsibilities, or a clear ability to achieve formal appointment following assessment and local familiarisation.
• Experience of reviewing designs, fire strategies, technical proposals, risk assessments and compliance evidence, with the confidence to challenge and influence consultants, contractors and senior stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound professional judgement and the ability to translate complex fire safety requirements into practical project advice.
• A commitment to patient safety, governance, assurance, collaboration, value for money and continuous improvement.

Recruitment process includes application review of CV and supporting cover letter, structured screening and longlisting by Seymour John, longlist presentation and selection event with GMS, and final formal interviews with GMS.

How to apply: Please submit a comprehensive CV and a supporting cover letter of no more than one page outlining your motivation for applying and how your experience aligns with the requirements of the role.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please contact John Lavictoire.