Job Description

The Guinness Partnership is one of the leading providers of affordable housing in England. We build and manage homes and provide housing services for nearly 160,000 residents nationwide. Our vision is to deliver great service, provide great homes, to be a great business and to be a great place to work. Because everything we do is about our residents, our communities and our people, any profit we make is re-invested in new and existing homes and improving services.

We have a new 12-month fixed term contract opportunity for a Head of Compliance – Fire Safety. The position is based in London at our Euston Road office with travel to other sites as required. We offer hybrid working with 3 days office-based and 2 days remote.

The position

The purpose of the project is to provide senior strategic leadership and technical expertise across the fire safety function, ensuring Guinness has a future‑proofed fire safety strategy, strong governance, and clear regulatory alignment. The role will drive organisational change, shape long‑term strategic direction, and strengthen the organisation’s overall approach to fire risk and compliance.

The successful candidate will report directly to the Director of Asset Management and Building Safety and must be able to demonstrate senior technical leadership experience in fire safety within complex housing, asset portfolios, or large organisations.

Key Strategic Objectives

1. Strategic Review & Position Assessment
2. Strategic Gap Analysis & Best Practice Model
3. Fire Strategy & Technical Requirements
4. Strategic Redesign of the FRA Operating Model
5. Strategic Procurement & Commissioning
6. Technical Leadership & Complex Risk Advice

Essential Criteria

Strategic Leadership & Change

• Proven experience delivering large‑scale organisational change and cultural transformation.
• Skilled in designing and embedding governance structures, risk frameworks, and strategic operating models.
• Strong ability to define long‑term strategic direction, risk appetite, and organisational priorities.

Analytical & Assurance Expertise

• Extensive experience conducting high‑level reviews, gap analyses, and line‑of‑assurance assessments.
• Ability to translate insights into forward plans, investment cases, and assurance reporting.

Technical Fire Safety Expertise

• Deep understanding of fire safety legislation, fire engineering principles, FRA methodologies, and building regulations.
• Ability to interpret complex technical information and apply it to strategic planning and risk management.
• Experience commissioning or reviewing fire strategies, complex FRA outputs, and technical reports.

Qualifications & Professional Requirements

Professional Membership / Accreditation

MIFireE or FIFireE (Institution of Fire Engineers).
FRACS, BAFE SP205, or IFE‑approved fire risk assessment accreditation.

Proven ability to interpret and apply:
Fire Safety Act
Fire Safety (England) Regulations
PAS 9980, PAS 79
BS 9999, BS 9991

Please note this salary includes a local job supplement of £6,000.

The Guinness Partnership is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all colleagues, and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.