Facilities Safety Manager

Job Purpose

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a world-renowned private university located in Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a 36 km2 suburban campus on the Red Sea, a residential city of >8,000 residents, university campus with 200,000 m2 of modern research laboratories and a research park with local and global research centers. Within KAUST, there are >2,000 separate fire alarm systems connected to >65,000 detectors. Our Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) expertise leads the university in the development of innovative systems and programs that enable a strong safety culture and the ability to manage the risks associated with our state-of-the-art research and education. 

The Facilities Safety Manager manages a high-performing team of fire and life safety engineers, inspectors, and HSE professionals to maximize safety culture throughout KAUST by engaging with stakeholders and ensuring that risk-based fire protection and facility HSE programs are developed and implemented. The incumbent is responsible for facility health and safety, fire and life safety code assessment and compliance, and planning and leading a team of professionals to ensure safe, healthy, and compliant environments.

Major Accountabilities

• Acts as the fire and life safety Authority Having Jurisdiction lead for the city of KAUST, overseeing the plan review and approval of all fire and life safety related projects and compliance.  
• Collaborates with various departments and facility owners to identify and mitigate hazards arising from existing facilities, new construction activities and projects, routine maintenance, and other activities undertaken.
• Develops, reviews and updates program standards and procedures applicable to KAUST. 
• Works closely with other units in KAUST to develop and implement inspection, testing and maintenance programs related to fire and life safety, health and safety, and facility based safety. 
• Supervises and mentors a team of health and safety professionals, fire and life safety engineers, and inspectors. 
• Oversees the Fire Loss Prevention safety and compliance quality control program in accordance with relevant standards. 
• Develops and provides training related to health and safety, fire and life safety, and facility safety for the KAUST campus and community. 
• Investigates health and safety, fire and life safety, and facility incidents for root cause and recurrence prevention. 
• Participates as a member of the HSE team, providing other departmental staff members with cooperation and support to further departmental mission; provides mutual support through open communication and professionalism, supporting strategies that foster teamwork and interdependence; assists HSE staff as needed in related and/or overlapping duties; provides service to other HSE programs; and works with other HSE staff to develop other programs, as required. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Competencies

• A strong understanding of complex and high-risk fire and life safety activities and their associated hazards. 
• In depth knowledge of best practice fire and life safety principles as applied to cutting edge HSE activities. 
• In-depth knowledge of best practice HSE and fire and life safety principles applied to cutting-edge activities to existing facilities, new builds, projects, routine maintenance, and other activities including refurbishments 
• Expert knowledge of and ability to read and interpret HSE regulations, standards and best practices, local and international codes and regulations, including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Building Code (IBC), and International Fire Code (IFC) 
• Proven ability to function effectively at a lead level and form good working relationships with team members and stakeholders. 
• Ability to produce, interpret and assess complex reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or safety-related discipline required.

Experience

• Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in health and safety, fire systems engineering and safety, or closely related field required. 
• Demonstrated experience leading a team of professionals. 
• Demonstrated experience increasing safety culture through measures like education and awareness, collaborating with project teams, and understanding the business required.