Fire Safety Manager

£42,791 to £45,955 per annum pro rata (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £61,235 per annum pro rata)

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise - to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research, having been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 - making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious, we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

In People Experience and Culture, we foster a culture of excellence which positively impacts the student experience and supports the University's growth and success. We focus on the wellbeing of our colleagues and support our leaders to create engaged, goal-aligned teams that power our organisation and community.

The Health and Safety team works with key stakeholders to help keep the University safe and compliant with various legal frameworks and aspects of health and safety legislation. They have a cross-university function and work with colleagues from all areas to improve the working life and study experience of staff, students, and the broader community.

The purpose of the job role is to manage fire safety-related activities within the university health and safety framework and provide competent fire safety advice to staff and students.

You will proactively support and promote the development of a positive fire safety culture within the University by supporting the development and implementation of fire safety systems and policies, providing relevant training, performing audits and inspections, undertaking fire risk assessments, reporting on fire safety matters, and supporting the continual improvement of fire safety arrangements and systems.

Please Note: This is a part-time role working 30 hours per week.

To be the ideal candidate for this role, you will be a highly skilled and qualified fire safety professional, holding a recognised fire safety qualification such as the NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety, CFPA Diploma, IFE Certificate, or an equivalent credential, and deemed a competent Fire Risk Assessor. You will exhibit a proactive approach, excel in customer service, and provide expert advice on fire safety matters.

With extensive experience in fire safety practice, you will possess an in-depth understanding of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the associated legislative framework, including British Standards and Approved Document B.

Your expertise will include drafting comprehensive fire safety policies and procedures, delivering engaging fire safety training, and conducting audits and fire risk assessments in line with PAS79 standards.

Additionally, you will be experienced in collaborating with external fire and safety organisations, ensuring effective communication and alignment with best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide fire safety advice and guidance to the Central Health and Safety team and wider university (including Estates, DSRL, and Derby Theatre). Support the development and implementation of fire safety policies and procedures to meet legislative requirements/best practice across the portfolio.
• Proactively develop, maintain, and review the implementation of the University fire safety policy, PEEP Policy, fire management arrangements, and fire risk assessments, ensuring legal compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Provide Fire Safety advice to Estates Project Managers, design teams, and residential managers when required, ensuring robust building fire strategies as part of base project planning.
• Investigate fire-related incidents within the University, preparing reports and recommendations.
• Carry out fire safety audits and inspections across all parts of the University, working with the Health, Safety, and Wellbeing team to ensure timely completion of outstanding actions.
• Liaise with external fire and safety organisations as required.
• Assist in the liaison with the Head of Health, Safety, and Wellbeing in the development of Fire safety services for the University to meet future needs and standards as part of a continual improvement process.
• Maintain an up-to-date professional knowledge relating to the post, including legislative updates, best practices, lessons learned, and emerging trends.
• Conduct in-person fire safety-related training (across the sites) such as 'Fire Marshal' training, 'Fire Awareness' training, 'Fire Extinguisher' training, 'Evacuation Chair' training, and PEEP's train the trainer.
• Lead on and develop Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans with managers (PEEP's) for staff and assist student services/DSRL in the creation of these for students when required.
• Carry out and keep up to date the day-to-day administrative activities aligned with the job role/needs of the department and undertake other activities/responsibilities as required and directed by the line manager.
• Create and maintain a 'Fire Drill' schedule, carry out the fire drills, create a report for each one and provide feedback to the Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing and the Director of the relevant school/college/department.
• Attend and take a key role in relevant meetings such as the Fire Safety Management Group and University Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Committee meeting, creating reports and updates on progress/issues.
• In conjunction with the Estates department, aid in planning, conducting (where relevant), documenting, and working with appointed external Fire Risk Assessors. Review fire risk assessments (FRAs) in accordance with BSI PAS 79 ensuring all remedial actions are logged onto the University CAFM system.

Minimum Qualifications

• A fire safety qualification such as NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety / CFPA Diploma / IFE Certificate or equivalent.
• Deemed a competent Fire Risk Assessor as determined by Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council and to maintain this in line with any future regulation changes such as BS 9991:2024.
• Membership of a recognised professional body (e.g. IFE, IFSM).

Experience

• Extensive fire safety experience/practice with a sound working knowledge of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and its supporting legislative framework (e.g. British Standards, Approved Doc. B etc.).
• Significant experience of completing audits and fire risk assessments in line with PAS79.
• Experience of writing fire safety policies and procedures.
• Experience of report writing.
• Experience of influencing to implement best practice and continuous improvement.
• Experience of delivering fire safety-related training.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Excellent organisational, effective communication, and presentation skills.
• IT literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Power Point, Word & Excel.
• Comprehensive knowledge of property-related statutory and legislative obligations and experience in developing fire safety regimes to ensure those obligations are met.
• Specialist auditing expertise in fire safety.
• The ability to influence key stakeholders to ensure consistency across the Estates team and portfolio.
• Developing and communicating plans and campaigns, including briefing and managing third parties to deliver tactical elements and measuring results.

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Adam Gomes, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing via

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via .

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex, and sexual orientation.

We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.

Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment that is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies . click apply for full job details