Director of Fire Consultancy (Edinburgh, Glasgow or London)

Description

Managing and Motivating the Team

• Provide construction‑stage assurance: review installers’ method statements, Inspection & Test Plans, and QA records; witness critical stages; maintain a digital evidence trail to support the golden‑thread objectives.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive culture across disciplines and offices; model exemplary behaviours.
• Ensure all activities align with relevant UK legislation, standards, and guidance (e.g., Building Regulations, Approved Document B/Scottish Technical Handbooks, BS/EN standards, NFPA/IBC where applicable, insurer requirements) and client governance processes.
• Lead the development of proportionate fire strategies for new build and refurbishment projects (e.g., BS9999, BS9991, Approved Document B), including performance‑based approaches where appropriate.
• Shape and lead cladding remediation propositions (portfolio programmes and single‑asset schemes), including diagnostic surveys, options appraisal, cost/risk trade‑offs, procurement advice, and funder/insurer/authority engagement.
• Prepare third‑party reviews/design verifications; develop retrospective strategies for occupied buildings; support remedial design for façade/cladding, compartmentation and fire stopping.
• Establish project‑specific compliance plans and evidence trails (e.g., BIM aligned), ensuring auditable golden‑thread documentation.
• Allocate resources effectively, balancing workload, deadlines, and staff development goals.
• Develop or review remediation details: cavity barrier/fire‑stopping strategies, horizontal/vertical fire‑stops, window/door interfaces, balcony/soffit treatments, and service penetrations.
• Lead fire risk appraisal of external walls (FRAEW) and retrospective strategy development for existing buildings, applying current guidance (e.g., PAS 9980 methodology) and local Building Regulations/Technical Handbooks.
• Plan and deliver project scopes, budgets, and programmes; manage risk, change, and quality through the lifecycle.
• Champion Health, Safety & Wellbeing and drive a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
• Protect client and Thomas & Adamson interests by proactively identifying risks, advising on mitigation measures, and communicating clearly and professionally.
• Plan and oversee intrusive surveys/openings; prepare opening schedules, photographic evidence requirements, and remediation verification plans.
• Coordinate façade fire performance with structural and MEP requirements; align with relevant guidance, BS/EN standards (including smoke/heat release considerations), and insurer requirements.
• Update fire strategies and handover information to reflect as‑built façades; prepare client packs to support funder/insurer/lender processes (e.g., EWS1 liaison where applicable).
• Produce and review fire strategies, compartmentation layouts, means of escape and evacuation analyses, smoke control concepts, structural fire resistance requirements, and fire service access provisions.
• Diagnose external wall system risks (rainscreen/EWI, ACM/HPL, timber/composite claddings, insulation types) and define proportionate remediation strategies aligned with performance objectives.
• Act as an integral interface between client, design team, contractors and approving authorities to achieve successful technical and commercial outcomes.
• Communicating clearly and concisely with clients and stakeholders regarding information needs, decisions, risks, and residual obligations.
• Translating complex technical issues into practical, implementable, and value‑for‑money solutions.
• Coach and mentor junior colleagues; support routes to professional registration, and project responsibilities commensurate with competence.
• Specify active and passive fire protection systems (e.g., detection and alarm, sprinklers / watermist / clean agent systems, fire stopping, cavity barriers, structural protection); coordinate with MEP and architectural details.
• Support service line growth: recruitment, mentoring, CPD planning, and technical training for the wider business.
• Undertake and/or interpret modelling and calculations (e.g., evacuation modelling, smoke movement/computational fluid dynamics, radiation/tenability checks) and document engineering judgements and assumptions clearly.
• Provide construction stage support: design checks, site inspections, technical queries, witnessing/validation of fire safety systems, and review of O&M/Record information for handover.
• Lead quality reviews and sign‑off of deliverables; maintain discipline standards, templates, and guidance notes.
• Interpret and challenge large‑scale system test evidence (e.g., BS 8414 with BR 135 classification) and component certification; advise on suitability, substitutions, and equivalence.
• Building strong, professional relationships founded on trust, integrity, and reliability.
• Build and sustain client relationships; identify opportunities, contribute to bids/fees, and present technical solutions.
• Promote Thomas & Adamson through thought leadership (briefings, articles, conference speaking) and participation in standards/industry networks.

Requirements

Delivering Great Client Experience

You are a pragmatic, client‑focused Fire Consultant who combines technical rigour with clear communication and collaborative teamwork. You are proactive, organised, and attentive to detail; confident when required, supportive by default, and motivated to mentor others. You uphold discretion, integrity, and accountability, and you take pride in delivering safe, compliant, and elegant engineering solutions that stand up to scrutiny.

• Degree in Fire Engineering with substantial consultancy experience.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel for site/client engagements.
• Experience in façade/fire remediation, compartmentation surveys, and golden‑thread/Building Safety evidence requirements.
• Experience with analysis/modelling tools and methods (e.g., evacuation modelling; familiarity with CFD workflows and limitations; ability to commission, interpret and challenge specialist studies).
• Strong knowledge of UK codes and standards (e.g., ADB/Scottish Handbooks, BS 9999, BS 9991, BS/EN suites) and familiarity with international frameworks (e.g., NFPA, IBC) where relevant to client/insurer requirements.
• Demonstrable proficiency in developing fire strategies, means of escape design, smoke control principles, structural fire resistance requirements, and fire service access.
• Working knowledge of external wall appraisal and remediation frameworks (e.g., FRAEW per PAS 9980), BS 8414/BR 135 interpretation, CWCT guidance, and lender/insurer information needs (e.g., EWS1 liaison).
• Chartered Consultant(CEng) with IFE (or working toward Chartership) and/or relevant professional memberships/accreditations.
• Evidence of leading multi‑disciplinary coordination and managing delivery to time, cost, and quality.
• Knowledge of BIM/CDE workflows (e.g., model review, data drops, assurance sign‑offs) and digital QA tools.
• Business development exposure, bid writing, and fee scoping.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; capable of authoring clear technical reports and presenting to clients and authorities.

Benefits

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an award-winning team in a thriving global business. In addition, you will truly put your stamp on the business by building a brand new service line, and growing your own team, in this very buoyant market. We can offer a very competitive salary for the right candidate.

• Peer review advice.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance