Facilities Operations Manager

Job Title: Facilities Operations Manager – Fire & Security (Interim)

Location: Norwich – on-site

Working Requirements: The role is site-based and will require occasional out-of-hours and weekend working, including participation in an on-call escalation rota for serious or complex Fire & Security incidents.

Start date: Immediate

Duration: 3–6 months

Day Rate: Competitive day rate

Summary of the Interim Facilities Operations Manager – Fire & Security role:

Our client is seeking an experienced interim Facilities Operations Manager with a strong specialism in Fire and Security to take responsibility for the operational delivery, compliance and continuous improvement of fire safety, physical security and associated life safety systems across a complex, multi-building estate. Alongside their Fire & Security specialism, the successful candidate will undertake wider facilities management responsibilities, working across operational teams, contractors and stakeholders to support safe, compliant and resilient facilities operations.

This is a highly responsible, operationally focused role requiring an experienced FM professional who can combine strong Fire & Security knowledge with effective contract, budget and stakeholder management. The successful candidate will oversee fire and life safety systems, CCTV, access control, intruder detection and security services, while coordinating emergency response, business continuity and resilience activities. You will need the professional judgement and confidence to operate with autonomy, manage operational risks and incidents, and engage credibly with senior stakeholders, contractors, emergency services and regulatory bodies.

Interim Facilities Operations Manager – Fire & Security – Key Responsibilities:

- Lead the operational delivery and performance of fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, voice alarm and associated life safety infrastructure, as well as the operational delivery and performance of security guarding and specialist Fire & Security service contracts.

- Oversee CCTV, access control, intruder detection, perimeter security and associated electronic security systems, maintaining appropriate oversight of access permissions, security clearances and associated information governance requirements.

- Monitor system and contractor performance against agreed KPIs, SLAs, statutory requirements and compliance standards, including service reviews, RAMS, permit-to-work requirements, competence and compliance documentation, ensuring defects and service failures are appropriately prioritised and resolved.

- Coordinate statutory inspections, testing and servicing requirements, maintaining accurate records and evidence for audit and compliance purposes.

- Support the development and operational implementation of Fire Management Plans, ensuring appropriate systems, processes and compliance evidence are maintained. Coordinate fire drills and evacuation exercises, evaluate outcomes and support continuous improvement of emergency arrangements.

- Coordinate operational responses to alarms, security incidents and estate emergencies, including escalation of serious or complex incidents. Lead operational investigations into security incidents and support post-incident reviews, corrective actions and lessons learned.

- Track and coordinate actions arising from fire risk assessments in collaboration with relevant operational and compliance teams, maintaining accurate compliance documentation, audit trails and risk information relating to fire, security and operational resilience.

- Support the development, review and testing of Business Continuity Plans and coordinate resilience and scenario-based exercises.

- Manage defined operational budgets, monitoring expenditure, forecasting requirements and ensuring value for money, while supporting lifecycle planning, asset replacement and business cases for investment in Fire & Security infrastructure.

- Liaise with senior stakeholders, external contractors, emergency services and relevant regulatory bodies as required.

- Promote a positive culture of safety, security, vigilance and continuous improvement across facilities operations.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications:

Essential:

- Significant operational experience managing fire safety systems within a complex, multi-building or multi-site estate.

- Experience managing security systems, including CCTV, access control and intruder detection.

- Strong working knowledge of fire safety legislation, applicable standards and industry codes of practice.

- Recognised fire safety qualification, such as the NEBOSH Fire Certificate or equivalent.

- Degree or equivalent professional qualification in Facilities Management, Fire Safety, Security Management, Building Services or a related discipline, or substantial equivalent vocational experience.

- SIA accreditation, or the willingness and ability to obtain this within an agreed timeframe.

- Strong contract management and contractor performance experience, including the management of large or critical service contracts and security guarding services.

- Experience managing operational budgets, demonstrating value for money and supporting Business Continuity Planning and resilience exercises.

- Experience coordinating fire drills, evacuation exercises and emergency response arrangements.

- Experience undertaking compliance inspections, workplace audits and documented operational walk-rounds.

- Experience operating within a formal governance, audit and compliance environment.

- Working knowledge of data protection and information governance requirements relating to CCTV and access control.

- Confident engaging with senior stakeholders, contractors, emergency services and regulatory or statutory bodies.

- Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills, with sound professional judgement and the ability to remain calm and decisive during live incidents.

- Competent using Microsoft Office and CAFM, ticketing or compliance management systems.

Desirable:

- Experience within laboratory, research, higher education, healthcare or a comparable complex environment.

- Experience leading or facilitating organisational resilience or scenario-based exercises.

- Experience contributing to security strategy or operating model development.

- Experience working with Alarm Receiving Centres (ARC) and remote monitoring solutions.

- Experience working within a multi-tenant or shared-estate environment.

- Membership of a relevant professional body, such as IFE, IFSM, IWFM or the Security Institute.

- Business Continuity or Emergency Planning qualification.

- Higher-level Fire Safety and/or relevant contract management qualification.

- Experience using SFG20 or equivalent maintenance frameworks.

- Awareness of relevant protective security guidance.

Application Deadline: Open until filled – early applications are encouraged as we review applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advert early once sufficient suitable applications have been received.

*** Applicants must have full and ongoing right to work in the UK. We do not offer visa sponsorship or accept candidates requiring future visa support ***

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