Our client is a well-established, award-winning multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, with a national footprint and offices across London, the South East, East of England and beyond. With over 80 years’ experience delivering projects across all major market sectors, the business offers a broad range of specialist services including architecture, building surveying, project management, engineering, fire safety, sustainability and BIM consultancy.
The Fire Safety Services team provides a full spectrum of fire engineering solutions—from fire safety strategies, CFD and evacuation modelling, structural fire engineering and due diligence through to peer review and expert witness services.
The organisation is recognised for its strong people culture: it holds the Investors in People Gold accreditation, invests in career development and supports hybrid working, professional sponsorship and progressive benefits.
Role Purpose
As Associate Director - Fire Engineering, you will lead and grow the fire engineering capability, delivering fire safety consultancy across a range of building sectors. You will act as a senior technical leader and client-facing advisor, oversee project delivery for complex fire strategies, supervise modelling and engineering work, as well as contribute to business development. You will mentor and develop a team of fire engineers and fire safety specialists, ensuring the highest standards of technical quality, commercial performance and client service.
Key Responsibilities
Lead fire engineering and fire safety consultancy services from inception through to completion (or handover) across new build, refurbishment and high-risk projects.
Develop and implement fire safety strategies and engineering solutions including: fire behaviour design, radiation calculations, smoke and evacuation modelling (CFD/PyroSim/Pathfinder), structural fire resilience, peer review, due diligence and expert witness work.
Act as the principal contact for key clients, building strong relationships and providing strategic advice on fire engineering and regulatory compliance.
Manage, mentor and grow a team of fire engineers and support staff: allocating tasks, reviewing work, conducting technical sign-off, supporting professional development.
Oversee project financial performance: tendering, fee proposals, budget management, resource planning, billing and profitability.
Work collaboratively with other disciplines (engineering, architecture, building safety, surveying) to integrate fire safety engineering into wider project delivery.
Stay abreast of relevant standards and regulations (e.g., BS 7974 series, CIBSE Guide E, SFPE Handbook, NFPA/IBC where applicable), and ensure compliance and best practice across the team.
Contribute to business development: identify new opportunities, prepare proposals, help grow the fire engineering business line.
Provide thought-leadership: present at industry events, liaise with regulators or clients on fire safety matters, help shape internal fire safety service offerings.
Requirements
Qualifications & Professional Memberships
Bachelor’s (or higher) degree in Fire Engineering, Mechanical/Structural Engineering or a related discipline.
Membership of professional body: e.g., Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) or similar; working toward or achieved Chartered Engineer status (CEng) preferred.
Appropriate fire engineering accreditation or qualification.
Experience
Minimum 6–8 years’ experience practicing fire engineering within the UK built-environment consultancy sector (or equivalent).
Proven track record of leading complex fire engineering projects (including modelling, structural fire design, peer review, high-rise / mixed-use / high risk buildings).
Experience at managing people, budgets, resource planning and commercial aspects of a fire engineering service offering.
Client-facing experience: ability to advise and influence senior stakeholders (developers, main contractors, fire authorities, regulators) and build enduring professional relationships.
Technical Skills & Knowledge
Excellent knowledge of fire science, fire behaviour, compartmentation, spread, smoke movement, radiation, evacuation modelling, CFD simulation tools, etc.
Strong understanding of relevant UK regulations, building contracts and project delivery stages (RIBA Stages, procurement, handover etc.).
Familiarity with design software (e.g., AutoCAD, BIM platforms, Bluebeam), and modelling tools (e.g., PyroSim, Pathfinder) preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills: able to prepare reports, present complex technical material to non-technical stakeholders, mentor junior staff.
Commercial awareness: comfortable reviewing fee proposals, monitoring budgets, handling negotiations.
Highly organised, able to manage multiple projects concurrently, work under pressure, meet deadlines, and maintain excellent quality standards.
What’s On Offer
A senior leadership role within a high-profile consultancy recognised for technical excellence and employee development.
Opportunity to build and lead a growing fire engineering team, work on landmark projects and shape the business’s fire safety offering.
Hybrid working model (office hub in London/UK), with competitive salary and benefits: enhanced annual leave, training and qualification sponsorship, buy/sell leave, employee assistance programme.
An organisation with strong values: collaboration, excellence, support, integrity and giving back.
Why This Role is Exciting
You’ll be stepping into a strategic position where your technical and leadership skills can make a real impact - shaping fire safety engineering across a busy, multi-disciplinary consultancy.
You’ll work across a diverse portfolio: from new build residential towers, mixed-use schemes, historic renovations, to infrastructure and commercial developments - providing variety and challenge.
You’ll be supported in your career growth, with access to professional development, mentoring programmes, and a culture committed to investing in its people.
You’ll be part of a business with strong values and a genuine focus on safety, innovation and community impact.