Principal Building Safety Manager

Temporary Contract

Job Details

Client: City of Westminster Council
Service Area: Housing and Commercial Partnerships / Compliance & Building Safety

Hours: 36 hours per week

Working Pattern: Hybrid – usually 2–3 days onsite, but flexible
Significant onsite presence required

Start Date: 02 June 2026
Duration: 12 weeks

Location

Office Base:
64 Victoria Street
London
Greater London
SW1E 6QP

Pay

PAYE Rate: £240.00 per day
Umbrella Rate: £329.83 per day

Job Overview

City of Westminster Council is seeking an experienced Principal Building Safety Manager / Building Safety Lead to support the safety and compliance of its housing stock, particularly High-Risk Buildings (HRBs).

This is a senior interim role responsible for building safety strategy, statutory compliance, building safety cases, governance, resident engagement and the delivery of a strong building safety culture across the organisation.

The successful candidate will act as the Council's subject matter expert for building safety, working closely with senior stakeholders, regulators, residents, leaseholders, contractors, legal colleagues and internal housing teams.

The role requires strong technical knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act 2021, Building Regulations, fire safety legislation, HRBs, safety case reporting, golden thread requirements and resident engagement. The job description confirms the postholder will lead building safety policies, management plans, safety case reports, Mandatory Occurrence Reporting and the golden thread of building safety information.

Important – Please Read Carefully

This role requires substantial senior-level building safety experience, ideally within social housing, local authority housing, building surveying, fire safety, maintenance or construction.

You must have strong technical knowledge of fire and building safety in residential environments, including the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act 2021, Building Regulations and HRB requirements.

Candidates without senior building safety, HRB, fire safety, compliance or residential building safety experience are unlikely to be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Own, deliver and review building safety policies, procedures, management plans and processes
• Lead the Building Safety Case programme
• Oversee registration of in-scope buildings with the Building Safety Regulator
• Quality assure Building Safety Case Reports and associated fire and structural risk assessments
• Ensure compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act 2021 and related legislation
• Act as the subject matter expert for building safety matters
• Own and deliver Mandatory Occurrence Reporting processes
• Drive delivery of the golden thread of building safety information across housing assets
• Deliver the building safety competency framework in line with PAS 8672 standards
• Line manage a multidisciplinary team including Building Safety Managers, Structural Engineer, Resident Engagement Officer and Administrator
• Report to the Head of Compliance & Building Safety on compliance, remediation progress, KPIs and risks
• Chair and host Building Safety Committee meetings
• Horizon scan for legislative and regulatory changes
• Oversee building safety actions across reactive and planned works programmes
• Support procurement of consultants and remediation contractors
• Contribute to client briefs for fire and safety improvement works
• Support Gateway submissions and works on in-scope buildings
• Review specifications and technical drawings for compliance with Building Regulations and British Standards
• Provide expert advice to internal departments on fire and building safety matters
• Support Housing teams with PEEP development
• Ensure resident engagement strategies and building safety information packs are delivered across HRBs
• Liaise on Section 20 consultations, planning, building control and listed building consent processes where required

Essential Experience & Skills

• Substantial senior-level experience in building safety management, surveying, maintenance or construction
• Strong experience within social housing, local authority housing or housing provider environments
• In-depth technical expertise in fire and building safety in residential buildings
• Strong knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2022
• Strong knowledge of Fire Safety legislation, Building Regulations and the Landlord & Tenant Act
• Experience leading or quality assuring Building Safety Case Reports
• Experience with High-Risk Buildings (HRBs)
• Experience managing complex, multidisciplinary programmes from inception to completion
• Leadership experience and ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Experience liaising with residents, leaseholders, regulators and elected members
• Experience using compliance or fire risk management software
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong stakeholder management and decision-making skills
• Ability to challenge proposals and evidence value for money
• Financial forecasting and programme oversight skills
• Political awareness and experience operating in a democratic environment

Essential Qualifications

• NEBOSH Fire Safety Management Certificate or equivalent Level 3 fire safety qualification
• Degree in Building Surveying, Fire Engineering or a related discipline
• Affiliation to IFSM or IFE
• Demonstrable competence in reviewing building safety assessments under a recognised risk register scheme

Desirable

• Membership of RICS, CIOB, CABE or RIBA
• Experience working with or for a Building Consultancy
• Experience in Construction Management, Contract Administration or Project Management within local government

Reporting To

Head of Compliance and Building Safety

Additional Information

Interviews will be held on site.

This is a senior building safety role with significant onsite presence required at Victoria City Hall / Westminster sites.

Disclaimer

On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role.

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify Fix Space Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.

Job Reference

OR102517