Head of Fire Safety

Description

At Heathrow, safety is at the heart of everything we do. As the Head of Fire Safety, you will lead the strategic direction and operational delivery of fire safety across one of the world’s busiest and most complex airport environments. You will ensure that Heathrow remains a global benchmark for fire safety excellence, protecting millions of passengers, colleagues, and partners every year. Working closely with operational, engineering, and emergency planning teams, you will shape and implement fire safety strategies that support Heathrow’s vision of safe, sustainable, and world-class operations. 

Responsibilities

• Leading the development and implementation of Heathrow’s fire safety strategy, ensuring compliance with UK legislation and international best practice.
• Providing expert leadership and guidance to the Fire Safety team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and proactive risk management.
• Collaborating with Engineering, Operations, and Construction teams to integrate fire safety principles into design, maintenance, and operational processes.
• Overseeing fire risk assessments, audits, and investigations, ensuring findings are addressed effectively and lessons are embedded across the organisation.
• Representing Heathrow in external forums, regulatory discussions, and industry partnerships to influence and share best practice in fire safety management.
• Supporting emergency preparedness and response planning, ensuring robust coordination with the Airport Fire & Rescue Service and other key stakeholders. 

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in fire safety management within a high-risk, complex operational environment such as aviation, transport, or large-scale infrastructure.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with a proven ability to inspire and develop multidisciplinary teams.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UK fire safety legislation, standards, and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., Institution of Fire Engineers, Institute of Fire Safety Managers) or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage strategic programmes and deliver measurable safety improvements. 

Ideally you'll also have: 

• Experience working within an airport or similarly regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of emergency planning and resilience frameworks.
• Ability to engage effectively with regulators, local authorities, and industry partners. 

#LI-Hybrid