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Job Title


Head of Structure, Fire and Building Safety Team


Company : The Scottish Government


Location : Livingston, Scotland


Created : 2025-07-27


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

Head of Structure, Fire and Building Safety TeamJoin to apply for theHead of Structure, Fire and Building Safety Teamrole atThe Scottish Government Head of Structure, Fire and Building Safety Team2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for theHead of Structure, Fire and Building Safety Teamrole atThe Scottish Government Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. The Scottish Government provided pay rangeThis range is provided by The Scottish Government. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base pay rangeDo you have strong leadership skills with ability to give honest, motivating messages about priorities, objectives and expectations?Our Built environment is central to our vision for communities. For that reason, Building Standards Division, based at Denholm House in Livingston, is part of the DG Communities and the Directorate for Housing of Scottish Government. Building Standards Division creates the building standards regulations and technical guidance, to ensure buildings are safe, efficient and sustainable.BSD is organised into three units, the Practice Unit, Development Unit and Technical Unit reporting to the Deputy Director (Head of Building Standards Division).Following the findings of the Grenfell Inquiry Report, there is a renewed focus on reviewing technical guidance and introducing regulation within the fire engineering sector to improve competence and build capacity. The postholder will play a key leadership role in this work, including driving the introduction of the next generation of structural Eurocodes and reporting all relevant fire and structural matters to the Building and Fire Safety Ministerial Working Group.Supporting the Deputy Director to deliver key priorities and areas of work, making well-informed decisions ensuring stakeholder views are appropriately built in to decision making and ensuring that Ministerial commitments are met. Preparation and amending building standards legislation and guidance documents, together with supporting research and policy development work. Coordinate and manage the Building and Fire Safety Ministerial Working Group and Grenfell Inquiry sub-group; including preparation of expert papers when required. Lead the team in managing a new building safety forum and provide advice to Ministers on any emerging structural and fire safety issues and risks. Work with the Unit Head and Deputy Director on the 4 nations Ministerial and Officials Groups that are planned following the publication of our Grenfell response. Manage the Scottish Governments response to the Cameron House Fatal Accident Inquiry. Undertake and procure research to form an evidence base for change, and manage public consultation exercises. Respond to applications for Ministerial views and relaxations or dispensations of the mandatory building standards. Engage with the UK Government in their response to the Grenfell Inquiry Report including proposals to Fire Safety regulations and to regulate the fire engineering industry, to improve competence and build capacity within the sector. Provide effective leadership Fire and Structures Standards, and manage changes to Section 1: Structure and Section 2: Fire of the technical handbooks. Manage implementation of the next generation of structural Eurocodes in Scotland. Coordinates and leads communications with the Building and Fire Safety Ministerial Working Group. Manage the Building Safety Forum and advise Ministers on emerging areas of risk.Success ProfileSuccess profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.Technical / Professional SkillsBackground as a construction professional such as a building standards surveyor, structural engineer, fire engineer, building engineer / scientist or equivalent.ExperienceKnowledge of the building standards system, in particular the technical matters set out in Sections 1 and 2 of the Technical Handbooks. Confident communicator with experience briefing Ministers, influencing decisions, and negotiating effectively. Proven experience in maintaining delivery momentum.BehavioursSeeing the bigger picture – level 4. Developing self and others – level 4. Leadership – level 4.You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scotHow To ApplyApply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and assessment (type TBC).Assessments are scheduled for Mid-August however this may be subject to change.About UsThe Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.Working PatternThis post is based in Denholm House, Livingston. Our team follows a hybrid working approach, where colleagues use a mix of office based and home working. For this post a minimum of two full working days in the office is required each week. The role will require limited travel around Scotland and less frequently to other parts of the UK. The post is a full-time permanent role (regular hours Monday to Friday).Equality StatementWe are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.Further informationFind out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. Seniority levelSeniority level Director Employment typeEmployment type Full-time Job functionJob function Other, Information Technology, and Management Industries Government Administration Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The Scottish Government by 2x Sign in to set job alerts for “Fire Chief” roles.Appointment of Chair to the Scottish Fire and Rescue ServiceEdinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 days ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.#J-18808-Ljbffr