Senior Manager - Fire & Life Safety

Role Overview

As a Senior Manager - Fire & Life Safety, you will play a pivotal leadership role in overseeing the comprehensive planning, design, implementation, and compliance of Fire and Life Safety systems across the project lifecycle. Your expertise will be instrumental in ensuring that all designs, construction activities, and operational strategies adhere to international codes, local regulations, and project-specific requirements, thereby safeguarding people, assets, and business continuity. This position demands a strategic approach, technical proficiency, and the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, compliant, and resilient Fire and Life Safety solutions.

Key Responsibilities

In this dynamic and high-impact role, your responsibilities will encompass the following:

• Leadership in Project Phases: Drive the Fire and Life Safety discipline across all project stages, including design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover, ensuring seamless integration and adherence to safety standards.
• Design Review and Approval: Evaluate and approve Fire and Life Safety designs prepared by consultants and contractors, ensuring alignment with project requirements and regulatory frameworks.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure strict compliance with applicable codes and standards, including NFPA, IBC, IFC, SBC, Civil Defense requirements, and other relevant regulations, to mitigate risks and ensure operational safety.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Partner with architects, MEP engineers, structural engineers, and external stakeholders to embed Fire and Life Safety requirements into the project’s core design and execution strategies.
• Technical Evaluation: Review fire engineering reports, evacuation studies, smoke management strategies, and performance-based fire engineering designs to validate their effectiveness and compliance.
• Construction Oversight: Monitor contractors’ adherence to Fire and Life Safety requirements during construction, addressing deviations promptly to maintain project integrity and safety.
• Strategic Participation: Engage in design workshops, technical reviews, and value engineering sessions to optimize Fire and Life Safety solutions while balancing cost, performance, and compliance.
• Regulatory Coordination: Support authority approvals by coordinating with Civil Defense and regulatory bodies, facilitating smooth project progression and compliance with local mandates.
• Testing and Commissioning: Oversee the testing, commissioning, inspections, and acceptance of Fire and Life Safety systems to ensure operational readiness and reliability.
• Risk Management: Identify potential Fire and Life Safety risks within the project and develop robust mitigation strategies to minimize hazards and ensure business continuity.
• Reporting and Leadership: Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior management, providing clear insights into Fire and Life Safety performance and compliance status.
• Project Delivery: Ensure timely achievement of project milestones while maintaining unwavering standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Team Mentorship: Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership within the Fire and Life Safety discipline, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Qualifications and Experience

To excel in this role, you will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline is required. A Master’s degree is highly preferred.
• Certifications: Professional certifications such as Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), Professional Engineer (PE) in Fire Protection, Project Management Professional (PMP), or equivalent are advantageous.
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in Fire and Life Safety engineering, with a proven track record in delivering large-scale mixed-use developments, airports, stadiums, metros, hospitality, healthcare, or mega projects. Experience in both design management and construction phases is essential.
• 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.
• System Expertise: Hands-on experience with Fire Alarm Systems, Fire Fighting Systems, Smoke Control Systems, Emergency Evacuation Planning, Performance-Based Fire Engineering, Fire Risk Assessment, and Testing & Commissioning.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary teams, lead technical reviews, and deliver projects within scope, budget, and timeline constraints.

Core Skills and Competencies

To thrive in this role, you will demonstrate the following skills and competencies:

• Technical Expertise: A deep understanding of Fire and Life Safety engineering principles and their practical application in complex projects.
• Leadership and Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to lead teams, manage stakeholders, and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization.
• Communication and Presentation: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving: A proactive and analytical mindset, capable of identifying risks, evaluating solutions, and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• Adaptability: The capacity to work in fast-paced, large-scale project environments, adapting to evolving requirements and challenges with resilience and agility.