Building Safety Manager

Are you passionate about ensuring the safety of residents and making a real difference in your community? We are seeking a dedicated Building Safety Manager to take a pivotal role in maintaining the highest safety standards across our housing portfolio.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role:

As the Building Safety Manager, you will be the key point of contact for all matters related to building safety within our residential properties. Working as part of our dynamic Property Services Compliance Team, you will oversee vital safety inspections and document audits across a diverse range of properties, including:

• 5803 tenanted Council-owned homes
• 3 high-rise tower blocks
• 15 medium-rise blocks of flats
• 388 low-rise blocks of flats

Collaboration is key in this role. You'll work closely with our Fire Safety Manager, Health and Safety Manager, Compliance Technical Officers, Asbestos Officer, FRA Carpenters, and Compliance Officer to ensure the Council meets its statutory compliance obligations.

In this role, you will lead on all technical aspects of the Building Safety Act 2022 and Social Housing (Regulations) Act 2023 consumer standards regarding health and safety disciplines.

Your responsibilities will include reviewing assessment actions received by the department and developing a robust programme of assurance.

Working in partnership with the Compliance Team, you will ensure that work orders are efficiently raised to external contractors to complete remedial works and uphold compliance obligations across key areas such as:

• Water Risk Assessments
• Lift Inspections and Maintenance
• Electrical Safety
• Gas Safety
• Mansafe Systems
• Lightning Conductors

Key Accountabilities are:

• Support the Compliance Team Manager.
• Review and amend the Policy for Building Safety and Compliance Assessments.
• Review, development and maintain the systems for Building Safety Management.
• Review the completion of the Building Assessment programme. Including the validation of the statutory assessments and competency of appointment of Specialist contractors for the completion of Building Safety remedial works.
• Create reports on progress to be compliant in relation to Building Safety works
• Plan and support Building Safety Information for residents within our High Rise Buildings.
• Point of contact for the Royal Berkshire Fire Rescue Service Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
• Review of Building Safety Measures following a report of a Fire in a Housing building.
• Escalation of non-conformities to service colleagues
• Act as subject matter expert (Building Safety) to, Project Managers and building surveyors to ensure effective delivery of the programme.
• Engage with key stakeholders and ensure effective communication and involvement with project activity.
• Track all related project activity including monitoring against Building Safety targets against Industry specifications and British Standards.
• Taking action to address risks including escalating risks and taking action to eliminate reduce or delay risk.
• Escalate risks and issues which may impact any aspects of performance or the Council’s reputation.

About you

The ideal candidate will need to be front facing so will have to be able to engage with internal and external stakeholders at all levels and able to demonstrate change management experience.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong working knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, CDM Regulations, and Fire Safety standards. They will have proven experience managing budgets, allocating resources effectively, and overseeing the maintenance and safety of high-rise buildings. A sound understanding of risk management, coupled with project management experience, is essential. Additionally, proficiency in standard office software, such as word processing and spreadsheet tools, is required, along with the ability to problem-solve and prioritise tasks in high-pressure environments. Experience in tendering works is also necessary.

A comprehensive understanding of building structures, systems, and maintenance is vital to this role. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong technical knowledge in risk management, supported by effective leadership, communication, and planning skills. They will show a clear commitment to ethical conduct, professionalism, and adherence to high standards. The ability to prepare detailed reports and coordinate complex operational activities is essential.

The role also demands high-level competencies in negotiation, change management, and strategic thinking. Analytical skills and sound decision-making capabilities are critical to ensuring effective outcomes in a dynamic working environment. A flexible and proactive approach to challenges will be a key asset, enabling the candidate to adapt and respond effectively to evolving demands.

In terms of qualifications, candidates must hold a minimum of an HNC in a relevant field, supported by a professional qualification such as IFE, IOSH, or equivalent in Building Surveying. A full UK driving license is also a requirement for this position, given the need to travel between sites as part of the role.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading

Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively

Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential

Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please email: Charles Hahn, Compliance Team Manager - charles.hahn@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 29th June 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.