Director of Fire Consultancy Job at Egis in the UK (Glasgow)

Job Description

This is a new role and the first dedicated Fire Consultant within Thomas & Adamson. You will be the founding specialist for this service line – shaping the offer, delivering projects, and building the team and capability over time. It is an excellent and exciting opportunity to establish and grow a fire consultancy in a rapidly expanding market (including cladding remediation, building safety, retrofit and complex refurbishment), working hand‑in‑hand with our Project Management, Building Surveying, Cost Management and Principal Designer teams. You will also be able to draw on the expertise and global reach of our parent company, Egis – accessing international know‑how, tools and collaboration across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the US – to accelerate service development, quality, and market impact. The role combines hands‑on technical delivery with practice leadership: setting standards, mentoring colleagues, developing client relationships and propositions, and creating a resilient, high‑performing fire consultancy service for Thomas & Adamson.

Job Responsibility

Act as an integral interface between client, design team, contractors and approving authorities to achieve successful technical and commercial outcomes
Lead the development of proportionate fire strategies for new build and refurbishment projects (e.g., BS9999, BS9991, Approved Document B), including performance‑based approaches where appropriate
Plan and deliver project scopes, budgets, and programmes
manage risk, change, and quality through the lifecycle
Provide construction stage support: design checks, site inspections, technical queries, witnessing/validation of fire safety systems, and review of O&M/Record information for handover
Produce and review fire strategies, compartmentation layouts, means of escape and evacuation analyses, smoke control concepts, structural fire resistance requirements, and fire service access provisions
Undertake and/or interpret modelling and calculations (e.g., evacuation modelling, smoke movement/computational fluid dynamics, radiation/tenability checks) and document engineering judgements and assumptions clearly
Specify active and passive fire protection systems (e.g., detection and alarm, sprinklers/watermist/clean agent systems, fire stopping, cavity barriers, structural protection)
coordinate with MEP and architectural details
Prepare third‑party reviews/design verifications
develop retrospective strategies for occupied buildings
support remedial design for façade/cladding, compartmentation and fire stopping
Establish project‑specific compliance plans and evidence trails (e.g., BIM aligned), ensuring auditable golden‑thread documentation
Lead quality reviews and sign‑off of deliverables
maintain discipline standards, templates, and guidance notes
Lead fire risk appraisal of external walls (FRAEW) and retrospective strategy development for existing buildings, applying current guidance (e.g., PAS 9980 methodology) and local Building Regulations/Technical Handbooks
Diagnose external wall system risks (rainscreen/EWI, ACM/HPL, timber/composite claddings, insulation types) and define proportionate remediation strategies aligned with performance objectives
Develop or review remediation details: cavity barrier/fire‑stopping strategies, horizontal/vertical fire‑stops, window/door interfaces, balcony/soffit treatments, and service penetrations
Coordinate façade fire performance with structural and MEP requirements
align with relevant guidance, BS/EN standards (including smoke/heat release considerations), and insurer requirements
Interpret and challenge large‑scale system test evidence (e.g., BS 8414 with BR 135 classification) and component certification
advise on suitability, substitutions, and equivalence
Plan and oversee intrusive surveys/openings
prepare opening schedules, photographic evidence requirements, and remediation verification plans
Provide construction‑stage assurance: review installers’ method statements, Inspection & Test Plans, and QA records
witness critical stages
maintain a digital evidence trail to support the golden‑thread objectives
Update fire strategies and handover information to reflect as‑built façades
prepare client packs to support funder/insurer/lender processes (e.g., EWS1 liaison where applicable)
Build and sustain client relationships
identify opportunities, contribute to bids/fees, and present technical solutions
Support service line growth: recruitment, mentoring, CPD planning, and technical training for the wider business
Promote Thomas & Adamson through thought leadership (briefings, articles, conference speaking) and participation in standards/industry networks
Champion Health, Safety & Wellbeing and drive a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing
Shape and lead cladding remediation propositions (portfolio programmes and single‑asset schemes), including diagnostic surveys, options appraisal, cost/risk trade‑offs, procurement advice, and funder/insurer/authority engagement
Ensure all activities align with relevant UK legislation, standards, and guidance (e.g., Building Regulations, Approved Document B/Scottish Technical Handbooks, BS/EN standards, NFPA/IBC where applicable, insurer requirements) and client governance processes
Protect client and Thomas & Adamson interests by proactively identifying risks, advising on mitigation measures, and communicating clearly and professionally
Represent Thomas & Adamson in line with our values
ensure accurate records, timely reporting, and robust change control
Building strong, professional relationships founded on trust, integrity, and reliability
Communicating clearly and concisely with clients and stakeholders regarding information needs, decisions, risks, and residual obligations
Translating complex technical issues into practical, implementable, and value‑for‑money solutions
Allocate resources effectively, balancing workload, deadlines, and staff development goals
Coach and mentor junior colleagues
support routes to professional registration, and project responsibilities commensurate with competence
Foster a collaborative, supportive culture across disciplines and offices
model exemplary behaviours

Requirements

Degree in a Fire related subject with substantial consultancy experience
Strong knowledge of UK codes and standards (e.g., ADB/Scottish Handbooks, BS 9999, BS 9991, BS/EN suites) and familiarity with international frameworks (e.g., NFPA, IBC) where relevant to client/insurer requirements
Demonstrable proficiency in developing fire strategies, means of escape design, smoke control principles, structural fire resistance requirements, and fire service access
Experience with analysis/modelling tools and methods (e.g., evacuation modelling
familiarity with CFD workflows and limitations
ability to commission, interpret and challenge specialist studies)
Excellent written and verbal communication
capable of authoring clear technical reports and presenting to clients and authorities
Evidence of leading multi‑disciplinary coordination and managing delivery to time, cost, and quality
Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel for site/client engagements

Nice to have

Chartered Consultant(CEng) with IFE (or working toward Chartership) and/or relevant professional memberships/accreditations
Experience in façade/fire remediation, compartmentation surveys, and golden‑thread/Building Safety evidence requirements
Working knowledge of external wall appraisal and remediation frameworks (e.g., FRAEW per PAS 9980), BS 8414/BR 135 interpretation, CWCT guidance, and lender/insurer information needs (e.g., EWS1 liaison)
Peer review advice
Technical support on feasibility studies and project support
Knowledge of BIM/CDE workflows (e.g., model review, data drops, assurance sign‑offs) and digital QA tools
Business development exposure, bid writing, and fee scoping

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