Company Description
Working as a partnership, both Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust have a shared vision for excellence in care for our patients and communities; with a set of strategic aims underpinning how we will achieve this.
The single corporate service is delivered across both organisations. You may be based at either IWT or PHU and individuals may be required to undertake business travel between sites. For leaders managing staff across multi-site locations, you will need to be visible and provide in person leadership. The arrangements and frequency will be agreed locally.
Job Description
NHS Band 8a Salary: £57,528 - £64,750 per annum
Hours : Full Time 37.5 hours per week
Contract : Permanent
Location: Across sites, both Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (frequency of visits to each site, to be agreed locally)
Are you an experienced fire safety professional ready to lead and influence fire safety across complex healthcare environments?
We are seeking an experienced Fire Safety Manager to join our Estates & Facilities team within the Single Corporate Services partnership between Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
This is an exciting opportunity to take on a senior specialist role responsible for leading fire safety management, compliance and assurance across a diverse healthcare estate, helping to ensure safe environments for our patients, staff and visitors.
Main duties of the job
The Fire Safety Manager is the Trust’s designated professional lead and competent advisor for fire safety matters.
You will provide specialist advice and assurance to senior management and governance committees, ensuring compliance with fire safety legislation, NHS guidance and Trust policies.
Key responsibilities include:
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Providing expert advice on fire safety legislation, prevention and compliance
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Leading the development and implementation of the Trust Fire Safety Management System
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Managing and overseeing the fire risk assessment programme
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Ensuring compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, NHS Fire code and Building Regulations
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Developing and delivering fire safety training and evacuation procedures
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Coordinating fire drills and emergency preparedness exercises
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Investigating fire incidents and unwanted fire signals, identifying trends and preventative actions
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Providing specialist fire safety advice on capital and estates projects
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Leading the Fire Safety Team and supporting workforce development
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Preparing audit reports, KPIs and assurance reports for senior leadership and Trust Boards
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Liaising with Fire and Rescue Services, regulators and external partners
Working for our organisation
This post forms part of the Single Corporate Services model, which provides shared corporate services across Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
The role is primarily site-based, however collaboration across both organisations is essential and travel between sites may occasionally be required.
Our Estates and Facilities teams play a critical role in supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care. This role offers the opportunity to influence fire safety strategy across a large and complex healthcare estate.
Both organisations are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive working environment, and to contributing to the NHS ambition for a Greener NHS.
For full job details please refer to enclosed Job Description
Qualifications
Essential
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Recognised qualifications relating to fire safety
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Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent level of fire safety management competency
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Evidence of ongoing knowledge attainment including CPD and training in fire safety
Desirable
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Training in healthcare fire safety
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Membership of professional organisation (Institution of Fire Engineers; Institution of Occupational Safety and Health).
Experience
Essential
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Extensive experience and knowledge in providing technical direction with regard to fire safety management
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Experience and knowledge in managing and ensuring building compliance according to fire safety regulations, professional guidance and good practice
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Experience of managing professional staff, including staff development, performance management
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Experience of undertaking relevant audits/inspection, fire risk assessments and provide solutions.
Desirable
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Working experience within a large public sector organisation.
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Experience of Private Finance Initiative contracts and compliance management from a client’s perspective.
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Experience in the preparation and presentation of reports to Senior Managers and Board members.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
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Knowledge and experience in the application of Firecode.
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Knowledge of risk management techniques.
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Ability to process highly complex information into meaningful formats appropriate for the intended audience.
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Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
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Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgements.
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Ability to produce procedural documentation and protocols.
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Understanding of complex fire safety issues and risks which impacts facilities management, construction and building services.
Desirable
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Overall understanding of current health service sector issues
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Understanding of Private Finance Initiative contracts and contract management from a client’s perspective
Additional Information
The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.
We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.
For more information, please see our People and OD Strategy 2026
