Life Safety Systems Manager

For our client in the public sector, we are looking for an experienced Life Safety Systems Manager to take the technical lead for a large, highly regulated science estate in Weybridge. Key details at a glance • Role: Life Safety Systems Manager • Day rate: Up to £585 per day (umbrella) • Contract length: 3-6 months • IR35: Inside • Location: Weybridge science estate - 3 days onsite, 2 days WFH per week • Clearance:SC clearance highly preferred • Interview: 1 stage via MS Teams The impact you would have This position is the subject matter expert and technical authority for life safety systems across a complex science campus and wider estate. You would be ensuring that critical assets remain safe, compliant, resilient and aligned with statutory and industry best practice. Main responsibilities • Act as the technical lead and SME for all life safety systems across the estate. • Provide governance, assurance and compliance oversight for critical life safety infrastructure. • Lead the management and performance assurance of systems including: • Fire detection and alarm systems • Fire suppression (gas suppression, sprinklers) • Emergency and escape lighting • Smoke control and pressurisation systems • Oxygen depletion monitoring systems • Man-trapped alarm systems • Emergency egress and protected building systems • • Ensure systems are maintained, tested, validated and fully operational. • Develop and maintain technical standards, procedures and best-practice guidance. • Conduct audits, inspections and technical assurance reviews. • Identify, assess and mitigate operational and compliance risks. • Support incident investigations, providing technical reports and recommendations. • Act as Intelligent Client, providing technical oversight of FM suppliers and contractors. • Review designs, modifications and installations for legislative and regulatory compliance. • Support capital projects through design reviews, commissioning, FAT and SAT. • Maintain accurate asset information, technical documentation and compliance records. • Contribute to lifecycle planning, investment decisions and budget planning. • Deliver training, guidance and competency development for engineers, contractors and stakeholders. • Drive continuous improvement, resilience and performance optimisation across life safety systems. What they are looking for • Significant experience managing life safety systems in complex, high-risk or highly regulated environments (e.g. science, research, pharmaceutical, healthcare, industrial). • Strong knowledge of fire detection, fire suppression, emergency lighting, smoke control and gas detection systems. • Experience covering the full lifecycle of life safety systems - from specification and installation through to operation and maintenance. • Solid understanding of statutory compliance, engineering governance and safety management. • Proven background in technical audits, inspections and compliance reviews. • Excellent contractor and supplier management skills. • Experience supporting engineering investigations and root cause analysis. • Confident stakeholder engagement and communication at multiple levels. • Familiarity with asset management and contractor management systems. • Strong grounding in risk assessment, safe systems of work and permit controls. Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction, Safety Management or a related discipline. • IEng or CEng (or actively working towards registration). • Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent. • Membership of a recognised professional body such as IOSH, IET or similar. Desirable extras • NEBOSH qualification. • Experience within laboratory, scientific, research, pharmaceutical or similar highly regulated environments. • Understanding of BMS and how it integrates with life safety systems. • Knowledge of SFG20 maintenance standards. • Experience with estate-wide compliance and assurance programmes. Working pattern • Hybrid: 3 days onsite per week at the Weybridge science estate, 2 days WFH. • Occasional travel across the wider estate portfolio. • Participation in out-of-hours support may be required.