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.