About The Role
Head of Fire Compliance.
At Balfour Beatty, safety is fundamental to everything we do. As our Regional Buildings business continues to deliver high‑quality, complex projects across the UK, we are seeking a Head of Fire Compliance to provide expert leadership and assurance across our portfolio. This senior role can be based anywhere in the UK, with travel as required to support our regional teams and projects. You will oversee fire safety compliance, ensuring buildings are safe, compliant and performing as intended throughout their lifecycle. Working closely with operational, technical and supply chain teams, you will embed best practice, provide clear direction and act as a trusted authority on fire compliance—helping to protect occupants, clients and our reputation, while supporting the long‑term success of our buildings.
What You'll Be Doing
The Head of Fire Compliance will sit within the Technical Function and report to the Head of Construction Compliance. The role will provide technical expertise to the organisation on Fire Safety Compliance to help ensure our Building projects meet statutory requirements. As Balfour Beatty’s subject matter expert (SME) on Fire Safety related matters the individual will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to ensure the business delivers to current standards and Regulations as well as identifying and preparing the business for future changes.
Technical Assurance
- Own and maintain the Fire Safety strategy for the Regional Buildings business unit.
- Develop and implement clear guidance enabling project teams to meet industry design standards.
- Define processes to ensure regulatory compliance and the selection of certified, test‑backed products.
- Track legislative change and update organisational procedures and guidance accordingly.
- Support development of systems to record, verify and maintain compliance across the project lifecycle (the Golden Thread).
- Engage project teams at all levels to ensure understanding and consistent application of technical standards.
- Review competency requirements and oversee fire safety training programmes.
- Manage Fire Engineering Specialist relationships, defining requirements for reports, assessments and testing.
- Provide regular reporting on project issues, competence, Golden Thread visibility and legislative change, highlighting risks and mitigation actions.
Procurement
- Lead technical engagement with the supplier framework to agree resourcing and a catalogue of compliant, tested products and solutions.
- Identify gaps in test evidence and influence suppliers to expand testing programmes.
- Evaluate innovation and fire‑engineered solutions prior to adoption across Balfour Beatty projects.
Preconstruction
- Undertake bid‑stage technical reviews to identify fire safety risks, client culture, designer capability and overall business risk.
- Engage clients to reinforce the importance of fire safety where cost, design or procurement constraints challenge best practice.
- Review and audit Fire Strategies and related design prior to contract award, supporting management of Technical Risk Registers covering evacuation, firefighting and active and passive fire protection.
- Support engagement with fire authorities and building control to achieve aligned and approved designs.
- Monitor Passive Fire Protection design and coordination to ensure compliant, buildable solutions.
Construction
- Provide or procure technical support and peer reviews as part of the technical due diligence programme.
- Support project teams and the Passive Fire Protection Lead in developing, delivering and recording inspection and test plans to demonstrate compliance.
- Support supply chain partners in developing compliant passive and active fire protection solutions, including certification and design guidance.
- Support engagement with third parties to achieve a consistent interpretation of Building Regulations and the Fire Safety Bill.
Post‑Construction
- Provide technical input into reviews of potential fire‑related defects, advising on compliance against standards in force at construction and the extent of remedial works.
- Support post‑completion dispute resolution with the Post‑Construction Team, including recommendations for specialist third‑party input.
- Assist in appointing consultants to prepare detailed technical reviews and responses to fire‑related defect claims.
Who We’re Looking For
- Minimum of 10 years working in a related environment working around Fire Engineering and passive and active fire safety measures.
- Knowledge of current codes, regulations and standards pertaining to fire safety and protection and the links between Fire Strategy and Regulatory Requirements and granular activity in design and construction.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Experience of working openly and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to engage and influence.
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree in fire engineering.
- Membership of a relevant professional body.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
Benefits
- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave.
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more.
About Us
Operating across England and Wales, our buildings teams create places where people live, are cared for, work, learn, meet and have fun, with a focus on the aviation, health, defence, education and development sectors.
Diversity and Inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. We invite you to learn how we are making this a reality at www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion. We are also a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment.
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