Senior Fire and Life Safety Manager

Role Overview

The Senior Fire and Life Safety Manager serves as the pivotal leader in ensuring the meticulous planning, rigorous design review, seamless implementation, and unwavering compliance of all Fire and Life Safety systems throughout the project lifecycle. This critical role is entrusted with safeguarding human life, protecting valuable assets, and guaranteeing uninterrupted business operations by aligning all design, construction, and operational strategies with international codes, local regulations, and project-specific requirements. The ideal candidate will possess a rare blend of technical expertise, strategic foresight, and leadership acumen to drive excellence in Fire and Life Safety across every phase of the project.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Provide authoritative leadership for the Fire and Life Safety discipline from initial design through procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and final handover, ensuring alignment with project objectives and regulatory standards.
• Design and Compliance Oversight: Conduct comprehensive reviews and approvals of Fire and Life Safety designs prepared by external consultants and contractors, verifying adherence to stringent codes and standards such as NFPA, IBC, IFC, SBC, and Civil Defense requirements.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Act as the central point of coordination between architects, MEP engineers, structural engineers, and external stakeholders to seamlessly integrate Fire and Life Safety requirements into the project’s core design and operational framework.
• Technical Review and Validation: Evaluate fire engineering reports, evacuation studies, smoke management strategies, and performance-based fire engineering designs to ensure robustness and compliance with regulatory and project-specific benchmarks.
• Construction Phase Assurance: Monitor contractors’ adherence to Fire and Life Safety protocols during construction, addressing deviations promptly and maintaining rigorous quality control.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Approvals: Facilitate design workshops, technical reviews, and value engineering sessions while providing critical support during authority approvals, including coordination with Civil Defense and other regulatory bodies.
• System Testing and Commissioning: Oversee the testing, commissioning, inspections, and acceptance of Fire and Life Safety systems to ensure operational readiness and compliance with all applicable standards.
• Risk Management and Mitigation: Identify potential Fire and Life Safety risks within the project and develop proactive mitigation strategies to minimize exposure and ensure business continuity.
• Reporting and Leadership: Prepare detailed technical reports, executive presentations, and strategic recommendations for senior management, while mentoring junior engineers and fostering technical leadership within the Fire and Life Safety discipline.
• Project Delivery Excellence: Ensure the timely achievement of project milestones without compromising on quality, safety, or compliance, thereby upholding the project’s reputation and operational integrity.

Qualifications and Experience

To excel in this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline is required. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is highly desirable and will be considered a significant advantage.
• Professional Certifications: Possession of professional certifications such as Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), Professional Engineer (PE) in Fire Protection, Project Management Professional (PMP), or equivalent credentials is preferred and will enhance candidacy.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in Fire and Life Safety engineering, with a proven track record in delivering large-scale, complex projects such as mixed-use developments, airports, stadiums, metro systems, hospitality venues, healthcare facilities, or other mega-projects. Experience must span both design management and construction phases, with a strong emphasis on international best practices.
• Technical Proficiency: In-depth knowledge of NFPA Codes and Standards, International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), Saudi Building Code (SBC), Civil Defense regulations, and other relevant frameworks. Expertise in fire alarm systems, fire fighting systems, smoke control systems, emergency evacuation planning, performance-based fire engineering, fire risk assessment, testing and commissioning, design review, and technical assurance is essential.

Core Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional capabilities in the following areas:

• Technical Expertise: A deep understanding of Fire and Life Safety engineering principles and their practical application in complex project environments.
• Leadership and Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage diverse stakeholders, and drive consensus toward achieving project goals.
• Communication and Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Strong aptitude for critical thinking, risk assessment, and the development of innovative solutions to complex Fire and Life Safety challenges.
• Project and Risk Management: Demonstrated experience in managing large-scale projects, identifying risks, and implementing effective mitigation strategies to ensure project success.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure project environments while maintaining a focus on quality, safety, and compliance.