Vacancies

HRA Building Safety Manager

Job Introduction

37 hours per week

Role is office based however you will need to travel as required between PCC Assets in Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport, Fareham and Winchester

This is a fantastic opportunity for a HRA Building Safety Manager to join the Compliance Service within Building Services of the Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services (HNB) Directorate. The role will have responsibility for managing the Building Safety Team, ensuring the team delivers on critical areas of building safety and fire safety for both the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and General Fund (GRA) assets. The building safety activities managed by the team are diverse and focus on activities arisen from the requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022, Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005, Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.

Candidates must be enthusiastic, good communicators and qualified Building Surveyors with extensive experience of providing a range of building surveying professional services, assisting with the creation of fire remediation programmes and managing consultant and building projects to both housing and corporate assets.

What is the role?

Siting within the HNB services directorate, providing services to PCC, leading a Building Safety team and supporting the Head of Compliance by;

Leading and managing the Building Safety Team with responsibility for building and fire safety including managing and undertaking risk assessments and building safety cases for our housing portfolio and wider GRA assets. The team undertake a wide range of building safety services across our varied 17,000 housing stock and 900 corporate buildings, supporting us to maintain and improve our properties, ensure the right repair at the right time and help us provide suitable and safe homes when needed.
Leading and managing the Building Assessment Certificate procedures for our high-rise buildings consisting of Building Safety Cases, Resident Engagement Strategies and Mandatory Occurrence Reporting Systems.
Leading and managing on fire safety across the HRA and GRA portfolio consisting of undertaking and managing fire risk assessments and subsequent outcomes. This includes liaising with other areas of the Council to ensure that outcomes are being undertaken.
Leading and managing external stakeholders undertaking statutory works within high-rise buildings, reviewing their proposals and installation. This could include water, electricity, gas, telecommunications etc.
Overall responsibility for managing the Building Safety team, to include acting as the client's representative including the provision of technical advice, brief development, feasibility studies, procurement and management of external consultants, leading internally resourced projects, procurement and management of contractors, leading resident building safety engagement strategies.

For full details of what the role will involve please see the job profile attached at the bottom of this page!

Who is the person?

The ideal candidate is someone who will:

Have extensive project management / delivery knowledge, a degree qualification in a relevant building surveying or construction related subject and have or working towards RICS or CIOB member status. Where a professional qualification is not held, candidate is to have extensive knowledge and experience in the area. Have or be willing to obtain a Level 6 Diploma in Building Safety Management.
Motivate and inspire team members to continually improve both themselves and the services they provide. Undertake line management functions for direct reports, this includes regular 1-2-1's, team briefs, absence, conduct and performance issues. Undertake reviews into the structure and resources of services working with HR colleagues to ensure that all legislative and corporate policy requirements are met.
Work with Councillors and the administration to plan and prioritise specific projects ensuring engagement and understanding of the fire remediation capital programme.
Have a proven track record of managing and leading a team managing building projects and consultants.
Have extensive knowledge of building design and building construction technology including fire and building safety elements and be able to advise or coach others.
Have extensive knowledge of building related legislation and application. Specifically, the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act 2021, Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, building regulations, planning policy, party wall act, fire safety, with the ability to advise others to ensure processes within the team comply with the legislation. Have a thorough understanding of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.
Have extensive knowledge of contracts, contract law and guidance including their application and administration. Specifically, to include a range of contracts within the JCT and NEC contract suites both for works and consultant contracts, with the ability to advise others regarding contract management.
Have good knowledge, experience and be able to apply construction related health & safety legislation generally including advising others. Specifically, the CDM Regulations 2015 and asbestos at work regulations, with the ability to advise others and ensure processes within the team comply with the legislation.
Experience of developing a team of property professionals including recruitment and management of relevant professional development programmes.
Experience of managing and leading substantial complex projects with multiple external consultants from feasibility, procurement, contract administration until practical completion.
Relevant knowledge to develop the building safety programme alongside resident engagement strategies through an understanding of customer demand incorporating consultation with our residents, stakeholders, Ward Cllrs and the Administration.
Have relevant knowledge and experience to apply cost control and budget management techniques managing budgets of approximately £5m per annum. Demonstrate commercial awareness and be able to undertake cost estimates for building work, exercise financial control and assess value for money for the service provided when evaluating the applications for payment and manage client fees.
Have relevant experience of using and coaching all Microsoft packages; in particular be able to demonstrate practical IT skills using Excel spreadsheets to analyse data and PowerBi Dashboard and MS Project to assist planning as well as the ability to use various software packages as part of undertaking the role including capability charts and Photoshop.
Have relevant experience of AutoCAD or similar drawing packages to produce and coach others preparing relevant documents and be able to interpret and comment on complex drawings.
Have relevant experience of interpreting complex specialists' reports related to building safety and advise on the outcome and any remediation works required.
Have relevant experience of leading public procurement using the appropriate rules and procedures for consultant building work to gain quotations and tenders including managing and developing consultant frameworks.
Be able to interrogate, analyse and evaluate stock data, project information and repair details providing updates to government agencies as required. Being able to manage the Building Projects Database, ensuring consistency and quality of recording of information.
Be organised and methodical when managing resources available, including allocating workloads to technical staff, to provide the service.
Be an excellent communicator and assertive as necessary ensuring excellent working relationships are maintained. Be able to engage with resident groups regarding building safety and investigate complaints.
Demonstrate confidence and skill to effectively deliver engaging presentations that are tailored to the understanding of the audience.
Have a full driving licence and provide a car for work, as you will be visiting sites across Portsmouth and surrounding areas so will need to travel effectively between them.

When completing the application form, please provide a response to the points raised above within the 'Who is the Person' points with the use of examples from your experience.

Please see the full job profile attached at the bottom of this page!

If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please call Amy Holmes, Head of Compliance on 07957 386 939 or email Amy.Holmes@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Assessment day & interviews: 2nd July 2025

About Portsmouth City Council

What we can offer you:

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800

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