Life Safety Systems Manager

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.

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Key details at a glance

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• Role: Life Safety Systems Manager
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• Day rate: Up to £585 per day (umbrella)
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• Contract length: 3-6 months
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• IR35: Inside
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• Location: Weybridge science estate - 3 days onsite, 2 days WFH per week
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• Clearance: SC clearance highly preferred
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• Interview: 1 stage via MS Teams
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The impact you would have

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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.

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Main responsibilities

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• Act as the technical lead and SME for all life safety systems across the estate.
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• Provide governance, assurance and compliance oversight for critical life safety infrastructure.
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• Lead the management and performance assurance of systems including:
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• Fire detection and alarm systems
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• Fire suppression (gas suppression, sprinklers)
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• Emergency and escape lighting
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• Smoke control and pressurisation systems
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• Oxygen depletion monitoring systems
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• Man-trapped alarm systems
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• Emergency egress and protected building systems
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• Ensure systems are maintained, tested, validated and fully operational.
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• Develop and maintain technical standards, procedures and best-practice guidance.
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• Conduct audits, inspections and technical assurance reviews.
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• Identify, assess and mitigate operational and compliance risks.
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• Support incident investigations, providing technical reports and recommendations.
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• Act as Intelligent Client, providing technical oversight of FM suppliers and contractors.
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• Review designs, modifications and installations for legislative and regulatory compliance.
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• Support capital projects through design reviews, commissioning, FAT and SAT.
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• Maintain accurate asset information, technical documentation and compliance records.
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• Contribute to lifecycle planning, investment decisions and budget planning.
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• Deliver training, guidance and competency development for engineers, contractors and stakeholders.
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• Drive continuous improvement, resilience and performance optimisation across life safety systems.
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What they are looking for

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• Significant experience managing life safety systems in complex, high-risk or highly regulated environments (e.g. science, research, pharmaceutical, healthcare, industrial).
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• Strong knowledge of fire detection, fire suppression, emergency lighting, smoke control and gas detection systems.
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• Experience covering the full lifecycle of life safety systems - from specification and installation through to operation and maintenance.
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• Solid understanding of statutory compliance, engineering governance and safety management.
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• Proven background in technical audits, inspections and compliance reviews.
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• Excellent contractor and supplier management skills.
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• Experience supporting engineering investigations and root cause analysis.
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• Confident stakeholder engagement and communication at multiple levels.
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• Familiarity with asset management and contractor management systems.
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• Strong grounding in risk assessment, safe systems of work and permit controls.
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Qualifications

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• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction, Safety Management or a related discipline.
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• IEng or CEng (or actively working towards registration).
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• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent.
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• Membership of a recognised professional body such as IOSH, IET or similar.
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Desirable extras

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• NEBOSH qualification.
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• Experience within laboratory, scientific, research, pharmaceutical or similar highly regulated environments.
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• Understanding of BMS and how it integrates with life safety systems.
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• Knowledge of SFG20 maintenance standards.
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• Experience with estate-wide compliance and assurance programmes.
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Working pattern

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• Hybrid: 3 days onsite per week at the Weybridge science estate, 2 days WFH.
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• Occasional travel across the wider estate portfolio.
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• Participation in out-of-hours support may be required.
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