We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made – please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.
Organisation: Kirklees
Directorate: Place
Service Area: Homes & Neighbourhoods
Hours: 37
Number of Jobs: 1
Location(s): Across Kirklees
Position type: Permanent
Grade: Grade 15
Salary: £54,495 – £56,494
About the Role
Building and fire safety for our homes and neighbourhoods is a top priority at Kirklees Council. As General Manager – Fire Safety, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring statutory and regulatory requirements are met for all high‑risk residential buildings (HRRB), including those over 18 m or 6 storeys high and Retirement Living Schemes. You will lead on fire safety compliance, building safety, risk management, and the development and implementation of the Building Safety Case, fire safety strategies, ensuring the safety of tenants and residents.
In this role you will engage with tenants, residents, and key stakeholders, ensuring robust compliance and best practice across all areas of building and fire safety. You will also be responsible for the management of fire risk assessments, fire action management, emergency response, business continuity, and the development of Building Safety Case Reports.
You will lead a high‑functioning team of Fire Technical Officers and Property Assistants, currently a total of four direct reports, and also manage contracts with our chosen Fire Risk Assessment company and a day‑to‑day cyclical inspection and remediation company.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure all high‑risk residential buildings are compliant with current legal and regulatory standards through ongoing risk assessments and mitigation.
- Develop policies, procedures, and systems to manage the “golden thread” of building data and produce fit‑for‑purpose Building Safety Case Reports.
- Ensure buildings are fit to occupy in line with Building Safety Regulator requirements.
- Ensure that the building is managed to meet the requirements of the Building Safety Case, managing risks and avoiding major incidents effectively.
- Lead the development and delivery of the Council’s Fire Safety Management Plan and related fire strategies.
- Manage day‑to‑day responses to risks in high‑risk buildings, collaborating across teams for effective solutions.
- Develop and implement Resident Engagement Plans tailored to each high‑risk building.
- Deliver in collaboration with other teams the Council’s PCFRA and PEEPs policies.
- Advise the Building Safety Assurance Board and Accountable Person of any breaches of required standards.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting to the Building Safety Regulator, including mandatory incident reporting.
- Lead, motivate, and engage teams to deliver high‑quality services and achieve key performance indicators.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders, including the Building Safety Regulator and West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.
- Support the organisation to deliver investment and remediation work, ensuring clear communication with tenants and residents.
About You
- HNC or Equivalent in Fire Safety, Building Safety or Construction or Building Survey qualification and/or demonstrable experience in a regulatory compliance role and relevant management level experience of Fire & Building / Structural Safety related to Social Housing.
- Detailed and current knowledge of the built environment and relevant legislation (Fire Safety Order 2005, Building Safety Bill, British Standards, sector best practice).
- Experience working with the Building Safety Regulator and with high‑risk residential buildings.
- Strong knowledge of safety case creation and golden thread management.
- Experience developing, mitigating, and reviewing dynamic risk assessments for residential buildings.
- Proven ability to develop customer‑facing policy and procedures and respond to regulatory requirements.
- Experience leading a high‑functioning team.
- Experience working collaboratively across disciplines and delivering customer engagement and consultation plans.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively and sensitively with vulnerable customers and a range of stakeholders.
- Experience of managing and maintaining information, data records, and databases to underpin building safety activity and compliance.
- Proven experience of budget management and reporting.
- Diploma level in asset, building and/or compliance management (e.g., NEBOSH Fire Certificate/Diploma or equivalent) is essential.
- IOSH or related Health & Safety qualification (essential).
- Membership of IFSM, IFE, IOSH, or similar.
- Management qualification or professional membership (e.g., MCIOB, MRICS, RIBA, MRTPI, MCIH) is desirable.
- Ability to travel independently across Kirklees (exceptions may be made for disabled applicants).
Why Kirklees?
Kirklees is a place of ambition and opportunity. As General Manager – Fire Safety you’ll join a leadership team that values innovation, collaboration, and making a real difference in the lives of residents. We offer a supportive environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to shape the future of building safety in our borough.
Blake Hamblett is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.
We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. If you need any support completing an application form or any other format for the application or Job Description, please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email or phone: 01484 221000 and ask for ‘Recruitment’.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Closing date
30 June 2026, 11:55 PM
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