Job Description

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