Foster + Partners

Role Definition

As the Head of Fire Safety, you will assume a leadership role at the forefront of our organization's commitment to proactive and comprehensive fire safety. In this pivotal position, you will drive a risk-based design methodology across projects, offering crucial support and creative solutions to achieve project fire safety objectives. The responsibilities encompass both strategic leadership within the Technical Design Group and hands-on involvement in providing fire safety advice during Technical Reviews, ensuring compliance with procedures, and maintaining records of professional development. Join us in shaping and sustaining a robust fire safety culture within our dynamic organization.

Job title: Head of Fire Safety

Reporting to: Head of Technical Design Team.

Responsibilities

* As lead of the Fire Safety Team, you will drive a proactive, holistic, and risk-based design methodology within the Architectural Studios and Engineering Groups.

* Provide support to the Architectural Studios and Engineering Groups and use creativity to assist in the development of solutions which fulfil the project fire safety objectives.

* Build and maintain strong positive relationships throughout the organisation.

* Contribute to the identification and addressing of fire-related constraints and opportunities for projects throughout their lifecycle using evidence-based methods.

* Cultivate and propagate an awareness of the impact of the fire safety design on construction, installation, commissioning, and maintenance.

* Contribute to the growth and promotion of the Fire Safety Team.

* Take a leadership role throughout the Technical Design Group and the organisation; identify and run cross-team and cross-function projects.

* Remain abreast of developments in national and international fire-related legislation, fire technologies, and materials and products - and feed this back to the wider team.

* Monitor and attend national and international fire and safety related events with the aim of increasing the expertise within, and the exposure of, the Fire Safety Team.

* Develop and describe fire safety design options for further discussion with the team.

* Assist in providing fire safety and fire engineering advice during the undertaking of Construction Reviews and follow up on requests for further guidance, information, or advice.

* Attend meetings as required; in some cases, international travel may be necessary.

* Give guidance and assistance on appropriate fire engineering approaches office-wide and, where applicable, interact with externally appointed fire engineers.

* Assist in the update and maintenance of the relevant F+P Guides.

* Maintain and provide records of advice given.

* Maintain a record and evidence of professional development and review this with the Deputy Head of Technical Design.

* Identify personal and Fire Safety Team training needs, stay up-to-date regarding training opportunities, and feed this back to the wider team.

* Review fire engineering reports/studies/strategies where provided by external consultants.

Qualities and skills required

* Chartered status with a relevant Institution.

* Extensive and demonstrable experience in a fire engineering, fire research, or related discipline role.

* Solid proven experience of applying engineering methods to safety. For example, qualitative and quantitative risk assessment, probabilistic risk analysis, and detailed deterministic analysis.

* Ability to use a variety of media in the development and documentation of a design project.

* Ability to take initiative in response to direction or instruction.

* Evidence of the ability to understand design decisions taken by others.

* Ability to manage own time to work well under pressure and meet expected timeframes.

* Awareness of and ability to use some of the following: MicroStation, InDesign, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, FDS, CFAST, B-RISK, OZone, MACS+, and structural software packages.

Desirable

* Experience in the use of advanced engineering methods. For example, CFD-based modelling, FEA analysis, quantitative probabilistic and reliability analysis.

* Experience with the use of Matlab, Python, R, or similar, to carry out data analysis, automation, and/or model development.

* Demonstrated good network with the fire science, fire engineering, and wider community.

This description reflects the core activities of the role. It is not intended to be all-inclusive and other duties within the group/department may be required in addition to changes in the emphasis of duties as required from time-to-time. There is a requirement for the post- holder to recognise this and adopt a flexible approach to work. Job descriptions will be reviewed regularly and where necessary revised in accordance with organisational needs. Any major changes will be discussed with the post-holder