Head of Fire and Building Safety

Join the dynamic and forward-thinking team at the London Borough of Croydon, the most populous borough in London, known for its rich history and vibrant cultural scene. As part of our ongoing transformation-driven by the Mayor's Business Plan-we are committed to creating a place of opportunity, improving financial sustainability, and enhancing the quality of life for our residents.

Background

Over the past year, Croydon Council has made major strides in transforming its housing services-investing over 30 million in home upgrades, launching new repairs contact centre, and completing stock condition surveys on 86% of homes and we are striving to achieve 100% of stock condition survey data.

Following significant improvements in housing standards, repairs, and resident engagement, the Regulator of Social Housing has recently lifted its previous notice. With a 166 million regeneration of Regina Road underway and a strong focus on safety, customer care, and resident-led change, Croydon is committed to delivering high-quality homes and services as part of its Future Croydon 2024-29 programme.

As part of this transformation, Croydon Council is now working in partnership with Adecco Public Sector to recruit a permanent Head of Fire and Building Safety - to lead this service area.

Your New Role

As a member of the extended management team, the Head of Fire and Building Safety will work collaboratively across the division and with other heads of service and directors to ensure the effective and efficient development and delivery of council services that support both divisional and corporate objectives.

Reporting to the Director of Asset and Repairs - Housing, you will be the professional lead responsible for ensuring that Croydon Council meets its statutory obligations under the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act, and that all social housing stock is safe, compliant, and well-managed.

You will oversee a growing team of building safety specialists, develop risk-based safety programmes, and lead the creation and delivery of safety cases for high-risk residential buildings (HRRBs). This includes managing the building safety register, developing and maintaining digital records and the "golden thread" of information.

With an annual programme budget of 30- 40 million, you will also work with key stakeholders, residents, regulators, and contractors to implement safety improvements and respond effectively to incidents.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Extensive senior-level experience in fire and building safety leadership within complex housing or property portfolios.
• A strong understanding of building and fire safety regulatory requirements, including the Building Safety Act, Fire Safety Act, and wider housing safety legislation.
• Demonstrable ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, manage capital budgets, and oversee compliance-related risks and programmes.
• Proven track record of collaborative working across internal departments and with external bodies such as the Regulator of Social Housing, Building Safety Regulator, and London Fire Brigade.

Qualifications

• A degree in a Fire, Building Safety, Health & Safety, or Construction-related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Full membership of a recognised professional body (e.g., IFE, CIOB, RICS, CABE, or IOSH).
• Relevant professional certifications such as NEBOSH, Eng Tech FIFireE, or CIH membership.
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development, including leadership or compliance-based management training.

What You'll Get in Return

The London Borough of Croydon offers a comprehensive and competitive permanent package designed to attract and retain top talent. Employees benefit from a generous annual leave allowance of up to 30 days, depending on length of service.

Flexible working arrangements are available to support a healthy work-life balance. The council also supports professional development through various training programmes and career progression opportunities, ensuring staff can grow and advance within the organisation.

Croydon Council is committed to employee well-being, offering a range of health and wellness initiatives. These include access to an Employee Assistance Programme (confidential support and counselling), discounted gym memberships, and health screenings. Employees also benefit from membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), which provides a secure and reliable retirement plan. Contributions range from 5.5% to 12.5% of salary, depending on pay band, with significant contributions from the council.

By joining Croydon Council, you become part of a supportive and forward-thinking organisation dedicated to making a positive impact on the community.

What You Need to Do Now

If you'd like to find out more about Croydon, please go to: (url removed) Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We are happy to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

We're committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect every member of our team to share this commitment.

How to apply

For further information about the role, or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our recruitment partners at Adecco: Sam Duggan - (url removed) or apply online today by submitting your CV and covering letter.

Closing date: 21 August 2025.

Assessments will be held week commencing 1 September 2025.

Interviews will be held week commencing 8 September 2025.