
Job overview
The Estates and Facilities Directorate is seeking to recruit a diligent, skilled and highly motivated Trust Head of Fire Safety. This strategic role offers Board level visibility, ownership of fire safety assurance, regulatory engagement and the opportunity to lead and develop a specialist fire safety team.
The Head of Fire Safety will oversee the ongoing delivery of a comprehensive Fire Safety Management System across the Trust’s estate. As the Trust's 'competent person' on all matters relating to Fire Safety, the post holder will ensure that that the organisation complies with Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) legislation, HTM/HBN guidance and the Building Safety Act to ensure the provision of a fire safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.
The successful candidate will have significant senior-level experience managing Fire Safety in a large, complex organisation (preferably healthcare or public sector).
- Interview Date: 02 September 2026
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
The postholder will act as Fire Safety Adviser (Authorised Person (Fire)) and provide expert leadership, strategic direction, and professional assurance to the Director of Estates, Facilities and Strategic Partnerships, the Executive Team, and the Trust Board, to support a safe environment for patients, staff, visitors, and contractors across all Trust premises.
The post holder will lead a high-skilled, professional Fire Safety Team that forms an integral part of the Trust's Estates and Facilities Directorate.
As an autonomous lead on all matters of fire safety you will be the Trust's lead expert for fire safety, providing expert professional advice and taking responsibility for ensuring the Trust is compliant with their legal and statutory requirements and that all fire safety regulations under current statutes and codes of practice are addressed across a large complex and multi-site organisation.
By the provision of competent advice, the post holder will be able to provide assurance to the Trust Board, CEO, Director of Estates, Facilities and Strategic Partnerships and the Trust Fire Safety Manager on matters relating to Fire Safety.
The post holder will provide expert technical advice to the Trust Fire Safety Manager on the management of fire safety across the organisation and will be required to deputise for the Trust Fire Safety Manager as required.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will support the organisations capital and revenue projects through the provision of expert fire safety advice and work with senior leaders within the Estates Engineering and Building teams to ensure that the Trust estate complies with all fire safety best practice to provide a safe patient environment of the highest standard.
As the expert in Fire Safety you will develop and lead on policies and strategies related to the Trusts' fire safety management programme. Developing and maintaining an open and transparent Fire Safety Management System.
You will also identify any existing and potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for improvement across all Trust sites and advise on the management of Fire Safety and Risk in the workplace.
Be responsible for the effectiveness of comprehensive fire safety training programme, for all staff at all levels in the Trust.
The successful candidate must hold the essential qualification(s) as detailed within the job description in order to be offered the job. Experience must be demonstrated during the interview.
Previous applicants need not apply.
- The post holder will support the organisations capital and revenue projects through the provision of expert fire safety advice and work with senior leaders within the Estates Engineering and Building teams to ensure that the Trust estate complies with all fire safety best practice to provide a safe patient environment of the highest standard.
- As the expert in Fire Safety you will develop and lead on policies and strategies related to the Trusts' fire safety management programme. Developing and maintaining an open and transparent Fire Safety Management System.
- You will also identify any existing and potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for improvement across all Trust sites and advise on the management of Fire Safety and Risk in the workplace.
- Be responsible for the effectiveness of comprehensive fire safety training programme, for all staff at all levels in the Trust.
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Person specification
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant senior-level experience managing Fire Safety in a large, complex organisation (preferably healthcare or public sector)
- Proven track record of achieving compliance with statutory obligations
- Experience leading investigations, audits, and risk assessments
- Experience advising at Board level and working with regulatory bodies
Desirable
- Expert knowledge of UK Fire Safety legislation, NHS HTM/HBN’s, and Fire Safety Management Systems
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Fire engineering/fire safety degree or other relevant engineering/science degree (or extensive equivalent experience)
- Fire Safety Management qualification such as Fire Safety Manager (IFSM/IFE) or equivalent
Desirable
- Membership of professional organisation (e.g. the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE); National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers (NAHFO), Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM))
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Head of Fire Safety with The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 317 01 Freeman Hospital, England. It is listed as a Band 8 role. The advertised salary is £66,582 - £77,368 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 13 Aug 2026.
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