Director of Fire Safety

Role: Director of Fire & DSEAR
Location: London
Salary: Up to £85,000 + £4,800 car allowance
Sector: Risk Management Consultancy

WRG is delighted to be representing a highly successful and growing national risk management business in the appointment of a Director of Fire & DSEAR Consultancy.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced Fire Safety, Fire Risk Management or DSEAR professional to take ownership of the strategic direction, commercial performance and continued growth of an established consultancy division.

The role combines strategic leadership, operational management, technical capability, client development and commercial growth, making it an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to move beyond purely technical delivery and play a significant role in shaping and developing a national consultancy practice.

The business is open to candidates who have built their career predominantly within Fire Risk Management or Fire Safety, with the opportunity to further develop DSEAR capability where required.

The Opportunity

As Director of Fire & DSEAR Consultancy, you will take responsibility for the continued development and expansion of the Fire & DSEAR consultancy offering.

You will provide strategic direction to the division, ensuring it continues to deliver high-quality, technically robust and compliant consultancy services while identifying opportunities to increase revenue, develop new client relationships and strengthen the organisation's position within the Fire Safety and DSEAR markets.

You will lead and develop a team of specialist consultants, providing clear direction, coaching and support while creating an environment that encourages technical excellence, commercial awareness and high levels of client service.

A significant part of the role will be focused on business development and client engagement, working with existing clients, insurers, brokers and other stakeholders while identifying new opportunities for the consultancy division.

This is a role for someone who can combine technical credibility with commercial leadership and who is comfortable operating at senior level across both internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the overall strategic direction of the Fire & DSEAR Consultancy division.
• Develop and implement plans to support the continued growth and profitability of the consultancy function.
• Identify opportunities to expand the division's service offering and market presence.
• Contribute to the wider strategic objectives of the business and its continued national growth.
• Ensure the Fire & DSEAR proposition remains aligned with client requirements, market developments and regulatory expectations.
• Help shape the future direction of the consultancy practice through effective leadership and commercial planning.

Commercial & Business Development

• Take responsibility for identifying and securing new business opportunities.
• Develop strong and sustainable relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Maximise opportunities within existing client relationships and identify areas where additional consultancy services can be provided.
• Develop relationships with insurers, brokers and other strategic stakeholders.
• Support revenue growth and the commercial performance of the division.
• Represent the business professionally within the Fire Safety, DSEAR and wider risk management markets.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and translate them into commercially viable service offerings.
• Work collaboratively with wider business development and leadership teams to generate and convert opportunities.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain senior-level relationships with key clients.
• Act as a senior point of contact for strategically important accounts.
• Build credibility with clients through strong technical understanding and commercial awareness.
• Understand client requirements and ensure consultancy services are aligned with their operational and risk management needs.
• Maintain strong relationships with insurers, brokers and other external stakeholders.
• Support the development of long-term partnerships rather than transactional client relationships.
• Ensure a consistently high standard of client service across the consultancy function.

Leadership & People Management

• Provide effective leadership to a team of Fire & DSEAR specialists.
• Establish clear objectives and expectations across the consultancy team.
• Coach, mentor and develop consultants to support their technical and professional progression.
• Identify skills gaps and implement appropriate development plans.
• Encourage a culture of technical excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment and succession planning as the division continues to grow.
• Ensure the team has the appropriate technical capability and resources to deliver against business requirements.
• Develop high-performing individuals while maintaining a collaborative and supportive team environment.

Operational Delivery

• Ensure consultancy services are delivered effectively, efficiently and consistently.
• Maintain high standards of technical quality, governance and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure appropriate resource planning across the consultancy function.
• Balance client requirements, consultant capacity and commercial priorities.
• Establish appropriate processes and controls to support continued growth.
• Ensure projects and consultancy assignments are delivered to agreed standards and timescales.
• Drive service excellence across the division.

Technical & Regulatory

• Provide senior technical leadership across Fire Safety and DSEAR consultancy activities.
• Maintain an appropriate level of technical oversight across the team.
• Ensure consultancy work reflects relevant legislation, standards, guidance and industry best practice.
• Support the development of technical capability within the team.
• Provide guidance on complex or technically challenging client requirements where appropriate.
• Maintain awareness of developments within Fire Safety, DSEAR and the wider risk management environment.
• Ensure the division maintains appropriate professional and technical standards.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded professional who can operate comfortably across technical, operational, commercial and strategic environments.

You may currently be working as a:

• Director of Fire.
• Head of Fire.
• Head of Fire Risk.
• Fire Consultancy Manager.
• Fire Risk Management Manager.
• Senior Fire Risk Consultant.
• Fire & DSEAR Consultancy Manager.
• Senior Fire Safety professional.
• Technical Director within a Fire / Risk consultancy.
• Senior professional within a specialist risk management business.

You will ideally have experience of leading people and/or a consultancy function and will be comfortable taking ownership of commercial performance, client relationships and strategic development.

The business recognises that strong candidates may come predominantly from a Fire Risk Management or Fire Safety background, so extensive DSEAR experience is not necessarily required where there is a willingness and capability to develop within this area.

Essential Experience

• Significant professional experience within Fire Safety, Fire Risk Management, DSEAR or a closely related consultancy environment.
• Level 5 Fire qualification, or currently working towards an equivalent qualification.
• Demonstrable commercial awareness.
• Experience contributing to business growth and client development.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capability.
• Proven leadership and people management experience.
• The ability to operate effectively at senior level.
• Strong understanding of consultancy delivery and client service.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A professional approach with the credibility to engage with senior clients and stakeholders.

Desirable Experience

The following would be advantageous:

• Previous experience leading a consultancy team.
• Experience managing a technical services function.
• Experience within specialist risk management consultancy.
• Demonstrable experience of revenue generation and business development.
• A track record of developing existing client accounts.
• Experience working with insurers and/or brokers.
• Fire Engineering knowledge or experience.
• Experience or knowledge of DSEAR consultancy.
• Membership of a recognised professional body relevant to Fire Safety or DSEAR.
• Experience developing new consultancy services or propositions.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Level 5 Fire qualification or currently working towards an equivalent professional qualification.

Desirable:

• Additional Fire Safety qualifications.
• Fire Engineering qualifications or experience.
• DSEAR-related qualifications or technical training.
• Membership of a relevant professional body e.g IFSM or IFE.

What We're Looking for in a Leader

Beyond technical qualifications and experience, this role requires someone who can bring together people, clients, technical delivery and commercial performance.

You will need to be comfortable setting direction while remaining close enough to the operation to understand what clients and consultants need.

The successful candidate will be able to:

• Lead from the front while empowering experienced technical professionals.
• Build credibility quickly with clients and stakeholders.
• Identify and convert commercial opportunities.
• Develop long-term client relationships.
• Balance commercial objectives with technical quality and compliance.
• Inspire and develop a specialist consultancy team.
• Make sound, commercially aware decisions.
• Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Operate strategically while maintaining an understanding of operational delivery.

The Package

The successful candidate will receive a competitive remuneration package including:

• Competitive salary up to £85,000.
• Performance-related bonus.
• Car allowance (£5,000).
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Pension scheme.
• Life Assurance x 4 salary.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Ongoing professional development.
• Career progression opportunities.

The role also provides the opportunity to lead and shape a growing national consultancy practice, with significant scope to influence the future direction of the Fire & DSEAR offering.

Apply:

If you're interested in this opportunity and would like to discuss the role in more detail, please get in touch.

Even if this position isnt quite the right fit, but youre open to exploring new opportunities, wed still welcome a confidential conversation. We work with employers daily, and your ideal role may already be on the table.

Mike @ We Recruit Group| 07562 945 690

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