Fire Safety Lead

Job description

We’re building thriving communities as one of the UK’s largest housing groups and a leading developer of affordable housing.

We believe everyone is entitled to a good home they can afford, in a place they are proud to live. More than 100,000 people live in our homes.

If you want to experience work that’s truly rewarding, join us. Because when we achieve together, customers and communities thrive.

Work for Orbit. Believe in people.

The role

We’re looking for an experienced fire safety leader to lead our Fire Safety Team and shape how Orbit manages fire safety across our homes.This is a significant leadership opportunity to influence our approach, strengthen compliance and deliver lasting improvements in customer safety. You’ll bring together technical expertise, strong leadership and a commitment to keeping people safe, ensuring Orbit meets its statutory and regulatory fire safety obligations.As our fire safety specialist, you’ll lead the delivery and ongoing development of our Fire Safety Management Plan, overseeing fire risk assessments, remedial actions and fire safety compliance programmes. You’ll ensure risks are identified early, actions are completed effectively, and senior leaders and our Board receive clear, evidence-based assurance.You’ll lead, develop and motivate a specialist team, set clear expectations for contractors and consultants, and work collaboratively across Orbit to embed fire safety into everyday decisions. Building strong relationships with Fire and Rescue Services and other stakeholders, you’ll help ensure our approach remains proactive, consistent and responsive to changing requirements.

This role is part of Property where you'll help us to lead the way investing and maintaining 46,000 homes.

What you'll achieve

You must have strong fire safety experience and a proven track record of leading and developing teams. You’ll have strong technical knowledge, experience of managing complex compliance programmes, and the confidence to challenge, influence and provide clear advice on fire safety risks.We’re looking for someone who can turn technical knowledge into practical action, drive continuous improvement and keep customers at the heart of the service. Experience within social housing, residential property or a similarly regulated environment is essential.If you want the opportunity to shape a fire safety service, develop a strong team and make a lasting difference to the safety of our customers, we’d love to hear from you.

• Lead the delivery of Orbit's Fire Safety Management Plan and associated compliance programmes in line with organisational priorities and regulatory expectations
• Act as Orbit's senior technical fire safety specialist and subject matter expert, providing professional advice, guidance and assurance across the organisation
• Accountable for ensuring compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire Safety Act 2021, Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and all associated legislation, guidance and standards
• Lead the management, quality assurance and continuous improvement of Fire Risk Assessment programmes across Orbit's portfolio, ensuring assessments are completed by competent persons and actions are appropriately prioritised and monitored
• Ensure effective governance and oversight of all fire safety compliance programmes including fire doors, compartmentation, fire stopping, alarms, emergency lighting, smoke control systems, sprinklers and rising mains
• Support Orbit in meeting its regulatory obligations under the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards, Governance and Financial Viability Standard, ensuring fire safety compliance contributes to strong governance, effective risk management, customer safety and organisational assurance
• Be a member of the out of hours duty rota arrangements as per policy and procedure.

What you'll bring

Essential skills

• Educated to degree level in Fire Safety, Building Surveying, Engineering, Construction, Property Management or a related discipline, or able to demonstrate extensive relevant experience and equivalent knowledge
• Significant experience in a senior fire safety, compliance or technical leadership role within social housing, residential property or a similarly regulated environment
• In-depth knowledge of:
  • Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
  • Fire Safety Act 2021
  • Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
  • Building Regulations Approved Document B
  • Fire risk assessment methodologies and fire safety management principles
• Strong understanding of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the interface between fire safety and building safety responsibilities
• Proven experience of managing complex fire safety programmes, compliance activities and high-risk remediation works
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage specialist contractors and consultants
• Willing and able to participate in the out of hours emergency roster
• Ability to travel as required to meet the requirements of the role.

Desirable skills

• Membership of a recognised professional body such as IFE, IFSM, CABE, CIOB or equivalent.
• Fire Engineering, Fire Risk Management or NEBOSH Fire Safety qualification.
• Experience within a large Registered Provider or Housing Association.
• Experience supporting Higher-Risk Buildings and Safety Case development

Why Orbit?

Choosing us means being rewarded in every sense.

Here’s what you can expect to enjoy with us.

A rewarding experience that works for you

We strive to create an inclusive experience with benefits and wellbeing programmes designed to help you, and your loved ones, to thrive. For a better work life balance, we offer flexible working opportunities for many roles.

A place to progress

From training programmes to professional qualifications, we provide opportunities to learn and develop at every stage of your career. Whether you’re a student, graduate or experienced professional we’ll support you to grow.

For leaders, our tailored development journeys are designed to stretch and strengthen your leadership skills. As well as practical training, we give you access to renowned business schools and experiential programmes for greater breadth and depth of learning.

A purpose to feel proud of

We’re proud to make a difference to people together. We’re values-driven with a commercial focus on performance - because the more profit we make, the more we can achieve for people.

What brings us together is a passionate belief in progress and people.

Read more about the values and purpose that drive us on our careers website.

How we hire

We aim to make our hiring process simple and fair:

1. Online application
2. Interview(s)
3. Decision and offer

We put the safeguarding of our customers, colleagues and contractors at the heart of everything we do and as such, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check.

Reference 225743384