At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fire engineering projects and provide expert advice across the building lifecycle.
- Company: Join a top-rated independent property & construction consultancy with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, private healthcare, and generous leave options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in fire safety while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Chartered Engineer status and 5-10 years of relevant experience required.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: UK office network - Bristol/ London/ Manchester/ Birmingham/ Sheffield office
Sector: Property & Construction consultancy
Salary: £90,000 - £100,000 + car allowance + bonus + attractive senior level benefits package
WRG has an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and technically excellent fire engineer to join an independent property & construction consultancy. The business has built an excellent reputation across the UK, working with an enviable list of clients across the built environment. This is a critical hire within the company, and they are looking for someone who is hungry to grow and develop a new service offering. They already have a significant amount of fire engineering projects which they sub out to an external company, they have very bold growth plans for the next 3 years, and hiring a Head of Fire Engineering is essential for the business. They are a recognised B Corporation, and hold an Investors in People (Gold) accreditation along with being an Employee Owned Trust. This is an agile business where your opinion matters and decisions are made in a matter of hours rather than weeks. If you would like to join a consultancy that really does care for its employees, their welfare and progression then this may be the opportunity you have been looking for. The Directors are heavily invested in this role and you will receive the full backing and support from the senior leadership team.
What you'll be doing
- Fire Engineering & Technical Delivery
- Provide specialist fire engineering advice across the full building lifecycle, from planning and design through to occupation.
- Prepare, review, and sign off fire strategies, fire risk assessments, and fire safety management plans in line with UK legislation and best practice.
- Deliver fire safety audits and inspections for a wide range of buildings, including complex, high-rise, and heritage assets.
- Undertake comprehensive on-site fire risk assessments (including construction-stage and pre-occupation FRAs) and produce clear, impartial action plans.
- Lead external wall surveys in accordance with PAS 9980, from desktop review to site inspection and final reporting.
- Complete and peer review FRAEW reports and EWS1 forms.
- Prepare and submit fire safety documentation to support planning and Building Regulations approvals.
- Service Development & Business Growth
- Help grow the fire safety client base and identify new market opportunities.
- Support business development by contributing to fee proposals and client pitches.
- Work with our Business Development and Marketing teams to strengthen the companies fire safety profile and market presence.
- Identify new fire safety services and help develop associated processes, workflows, and reporting templates.
- Play an active role in the internal Fire Committee, helping to share knowledge and improve practice across the business.
- Leadership, Collaboration & Influence
- Work closely with Building Surveyors, Principal Designers, Project Managers, and Cost Consultants to deliver integrated advice.
- Mentor surveyors and junior fire engineers, supporting their technical development and confidence in fire safety matters.
- Review and improve internal fire safety templates to ensure clarity, consistency, and technical excellence.
- Deliver CPD presentations to clients, colleagues, and industry forums.
- Represent the company at industry events and conferences.
- Peer review team outputs to ensure compliance with internal standards and external accreditations.
What we're looking for
- Essential
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) via the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) or equivalent.
- Degree (BSc or MSc) in Fire Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Professional membership to IFE.
- Minimum 5 - 10 years experience in UK fire engineering consultancy or a closely related role.
- Strong knowledge of UK fire safety legislation, Building Regulations, and guidance.
- Proven experience on high-rise and/or complex buildings, including cladding remediation.
- Ability to lead fire engineering input through design stages to practical completion.
- Excellent technical writing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- A collaborative mindset and confidence working within multi-disciplinary teams.
- Desirable
- Membership of additional professional bodies (e.g. RICS, CIOB).
- Experience leading projects in PM, Employers Agent, or Contract Administration roles.
What we offer
- Highly competitive Director-level package, reflecting the importance of this role to our business, including:
- Competitive salary in the region of £90,000 - £100,000 with discretionary and/or fee-related bonuses.
- Tax-free EOT bonus (after 12 months service).
- Car allowance.
- Private healthcare.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
- 5% employer pension contribution (minimum 3% employee).
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas shutdown.
- Option to buy additional annual leave and earn long-service days.
- Professional fee and membership subscriptions paid.
- Career development and training investment.
- Regular social events, team-building days, and paid CSR charity days.
If you are interested in the role or would like to discuss the position further, please get in touch with Mike @ We Recruit Group | 07562 945 690
Head of Fire Engineering in Manchester employer: We Recruit Group Ltd
Contact Detail:
We Recruit Group Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Fire Engineering in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals at events or online. We can’t stress enough how important it is to build relationships; you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you’re chatting with potential employers, don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge about fire engineering. We want to see you shine and demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the position and keeps you fresh in their minds. We recommend being polite but also reiterating your excitement about the opportunity.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application and gives you a better chance of standing out from the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Fire Engineering in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Fire Engineering role. Highlight your relevant experience in fire engineering, especially with high-rise and complex buildings. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about fire engineering and how you can contribute to our ambitious growth plans. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit for our team.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role requires excellent technical writing and communication skills, make sure to showcase these in your application. Include examples of your previous work, like fire strategies or risk assessments, to demonstrate your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at We Recruit Group Ltd
✨Know Your Fire Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your fire engineering knowledge, especially UK legislation and best practices. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, particularly those involving high-rise or complex buildings, as this will show your expertise and experience.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring and leading teams, prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects or developed junior engineers in the past. Highlight your collaborative mindset and how you've worked with multi-disciplinary teams to achieve results.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Business Growth
Think about how you can contribute to the company's growth plans. Prepare ideas on how to expand their fire safety client base and identify new market opportunities. This shows you're not just technically skilled but also business-savvy.
✨Engage with the Company Culture
Research the company’s values, especially their commitment to employee welfare and progression. Be prepared to discuss how you align with these values and how you can contribute to their agile decision-making process. This will demonstrate that you're a good cultural fit.