Facilities Manager - Fire & Security

Are you an experienced Fire & Security professional looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity within a complex, critical environment?

We are seeking a Fire & Security Manager to take ownership of fire safety systems, physical security infrastructure and incident management across a large multi-building estate. This is a high-profile role where you'll play a key part in protecting people, safeguarding valuable assets, ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting business continuity within a 24/7 operational environment.

About the Organisation

Our client provides professional facilities and support services to a world-leading research park in Norwich, supporting several internationally recognised scientific institutes. Together, these organisations undertake pioneering research in bioscience, food innovation, plant science, genomics and health, with funding from government, charitable, academic and commercial partners.

The estate supports approximately 1,100 researchers, students and visiting scientists across a diverse portfolio of specialist facilities, including laboratories, controlled environments, technical infrastructure and public-facing buildings. Operating within a highly regulated, research-driven environment, the organisation plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, secure and efficient delivery of globally significant scientific research.

This is a unique opportunity to join an organisation where your work will directly contribute to protecting people, safeguarding world-class research and supporting the advancement of scientific innovation.

The Opportunity

Reporting into the Facilities leadership team, you will lead the operational delivery, compliance assurance and continuous improvement of fire and security systems across a diverse estate. You will be the subject matter expert for fire safety, CCTV, access control, intruder detection, emergency response planning and resilience activities.

This role offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence both operational performance and long-term infrastructure strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Fire Safety & Compliance

• Lead the management and performance of fire detection, alarm systems, emergency lighting and associated life safety infrastructure.
• Ensure statutory inspections, testing and maintenance activities are completed and fully documented.
• Coordinate fire drills and evacuation exercises, driving continuous improvement.
• Support fire risk assessment actions and compliance initiatives.
• Liaise with Fire & Rescue Services and other regulatory bodies.

Security Management

• Manage estate-wide CCTV, access control, intruder detection and perimeter security systems.
• Oversee security operations and contractor performance against agreed KPIs and SLAs.
• Lead the investigation of security incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor access permissions and security clearances.
• Support the development and enhancement of security strategies and systems.

Business Continuity & Emergency Response

• Coordinate responses to security incidents, alarms and site emergencies.
• Support the development, testing and review of Business Continuity Plans.
• Lead resilience exercises and post-incident reviews.
• Identify lessons learned and drive continuous improvement.

Contract & Budget Management

• Manage specialist fire and security service providers and maintenance contracts.
• Monitor performance, compliance and value for money across service contracts.
• Manage operational budgets and contribute to lifecycle planning and business cases for future investment.

About You

You will be a confident and credible facilities, fire safety or security professional with experience operating within a complex and highly regulated environment.

Essential Requirements

• Significant experience managing fire safety systems across a complex estate or multi-site portfolio.
• Experience managing CCTV, access control, intruder detection and physical security systems.
• Strong contract and contractor management experience.
• NEBOSH Fire Certificate or equivalent fire safety qualification.
• Sound knowledge of fire safety legislation, standards and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing audits, inspections and emergency response activities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.

Desirable

• Membership of a professional body such as IWFM, IFSM, IFE or The Security Institute.
• Business Continuity or Emergency Planning qualifications.
• Experience within research, healthcare, laboratory, higher education or similarly regulated environments.
• Knowledge of protective security and resilience frameworks.

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to lead critical fire safety and security operations across a prestigious research environment.
• Significant autonomy and responsibility within a highly respected organisation.
• Exposure to senior stakeholders and strategic projects.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• The chance to play a vital role in protecting people, assets and world-leading scientific research.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including 31 days holiday with option to buy/sell more, subsidised catering, 10% employers pension contribution, access to private medical, on site free parking, swimming pool and social club.

If you are passionate about fire safety, security management, compliance and operational excellence, we would love to hear from you.

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