Fire Safety Manager (Interim)

Reporting to the Head of Health & Safety, you will provide expert fire safety leadership, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation while developing and embedding a robust Fire Safety Management System across the Port.

This is a unique opportunity to shape and establish the Port's long-term fire safety framework, working across operational environments, commercial buildings, engineering projects, marine facilities and major infrastructure developments.

This position will be a fixed-term contract for 6 months, with a specific focus on creating and implementing a comprehensive Fire Safety Strategy and Management System that can be seamlessly transitioned to the permanent team for ongoing management and delivery.

The Role
As Fire Safety Manager/Engineer, you will act as the Port's subject matter expert for all fire safety matters, driving compliance, governance and continual improvement.
You will be responsible for developing and implementing the Port Fire Safety Strategy, establishing the associated governance, processes and management systems, and creating a sustainable framework that can be handed over to internal stakeholders upon completion of the contract. You will also oversee fire risk assessment programmes and provide technical assurance across buildings, operational areas and capital projects.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the Port Fire Safety Management System and governance framework.
• Developing fire safety policies, standards and procedures.
• Managing and assuring statutory Fire Risk Assessments across the estate.
• Undertaking and validating complex and higher-risk Fire Risk Assessments.
• Providing technical advice on active and passive fire protection measures.
• Supporting Engineering, Estates, Capital Projects and Building Compliance teams.
• Reviewing designs, refurbishments and construction projects to ensure fire safety compliance.
• Leading fire safety audits, inspections and compliance reporting.
• Developing and testing emergency plans, evacuation strategies and fire drills.
• Managing contractor fire safety arrangements and hot work controls.
• Liaising with Kent Fire & Rescue Service, insurers and regulators.
• Producing executive-level reports, KPIs and improvement plans.
• Conducting fire safety training needs analysis and supporting key stakeholder engagement activities.

What You'll Deliver

Success in this role will be measured through:

• Implementation of an effective Fire Safety Management System.
• Management of 100% of statutory Fire Risk Assessments.
• Development and approval of the Port Fire Safety Strategy and governance framework.
• Delivery of a comprehensive fire safety audit programme.
• Establishment of meaningful executive KPI reporting.
• Positive assurance outcomes from regulators and insurers.
• Development of a port-wide fire safety training needs analysis.

About You

We're seeking a confident, technically capable professional who can operate strategically while remaining hands-on when required.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree (or higher qualification) in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Engineering, Building Surveying, Building Control, Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Advanced competence in fire safety (EQF Level 5 / RQF Level 4 or above).
• ABBE Level 4 Fire Risk Assessment qualification.
• IFTC Level 4 Fire Risk Assessment qualification.
• Knowledge of the Building Safety Act and related fire safety legislation.
• Competence in Higher-Risk Buildings.
• Membership of GIFireE/MIFireE or actively working towards membership.
• Commitment to maintaining at l