Associate Director - Fire Engineering job in Colchester, Essex

Job Summary

Associate Director – Fire Engineering & Fire Safety job in Colchester, Essex.

This opportunity offers an experienced fire engineering professional the chance to combine technical leadership with genuine influence over the direction of a growing multidisciplinary consultancy. You will lead the delivery of complex fire engineering projects while contributing to business strategy, mentoring engineers and supporting the continued growth of the fire engineering team.

Working across commercial, residential, healthcare and education sectors, you will build strong client relationships, maintain exceptional technical standards and help shape the future of the business. This role provides meaningful autonomy within a collaborative environment where quality, innovation and long-term professional development are prioritised. It is an excellent opportunity for an experienced leader seeking greater responsibility and the ability to make a lasting impact across both project delivery and company development.

About the Company

This confidential opportunity is with a respected multidisciplinary engineering consultancy delivering specialist expertise across fire engineering and complementary technical disciplines throughout the UK and internationally. The business has built its reputation on technical excellence, collaboration and long-term client relationships while maintaining a people-first culture. Employees are trusted to deliver high-quality work within a flexible hybrid working environment that values outcomes over presenteeism. The company actively invests in professional development and encourages experienced professionals to influence both technical standards and wider business strategy.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead delivery and quality assurance across complex fire engineering projects spanning multiple building sectors and project stages
• Provide technical leadership while maintaining exceptional engineering standards across all project deliverables and client advice
• Support business development activities by identifying opportunities preparing proposals and strengthening long-term client relationships
• Mentor engineers at all career stages while supporting recruitment succession planning and technical capability development
• Contribute to company strategy operational improvements and the continued growth of the fire engineering discipline
• Collaborate with clients design teams approving authorities and senior stakeholders to deliver technically robust solutions
• Review complex fire strategies engineering reports and technical documentation ensuring compliance with current legislation
• Remain at the forefront of UK fire engineering legislation building safety reforms and wider industry developments

Skills & Experience Required

• Extensive fire engineering consultancy experience with significant responsibility delivering complex multidisciplinary projects
• Strong knowledge of UK fire legislation building safety requirements and current regulatory guidance
• Proven experience preparing reviewing and approving complex fire engineering strategies and technical solutions
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional recognition with a relevant engineering institution is desirable
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams mentoring engineers and developing high performing professionals
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence clients stakeholders and multidisciplinary project teams
• Commercial awareness together with experience supporting business development bids and long-term client relationships

Salary & Benefits

• Salary of £80,000 – £120,000 DOE
• Hybrid working with two office days each week
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and additional Christmas shutdown
• Private health insurance together with enhanced pension life insurance and income protection
• Performance bonus funded professional memberships structured CPD and management development opportunities
• Paid overtime or TOIL enhanced parental leave and a comprehensive flexible benefits package

Who Is This Role Ideal For?

This role is ideal for an experienced fire engineering leader looking to combine technical excellence with strategic influence. It will appeal to professionals who enjoy mentoring others, developing client relationships and helping shape the future direction of a growing consultancy. Candidates seeking greater autonomy, meaningful leadership responsibilities and the opportunity to contribute beyond project delivery will find an environment that supports both personal and professional growth while maintaining a collaborative and flexible culture.

About Hunter Dunning

Hunter Dunning is a specialist property and built environment recruitment consultancy established in 2004, focused on quality and long-term partnerships in the UK and Ireland property and construction market.

We specialise in full lifecycle property recruitment, covering architecture, interior design, surveying, land and planning, fire safety and wider construction roles. We offer informed and confidential discussions for both clients and candidates and welcome conversations about this opportunity and your wider career plans within the built environment.

Apply

If you meet the criteria above, send us your CV and portfolio. We receive a large number of applications so if you do not hear back within 7 days consider your application unsuccessful this time.

We will keep a copy of your details on file for future vacancies. In accordance with GDPR, by applying for this position you give us your consent to process your data in-line with our Privacy and Data Protection Policies which can be read on the privacy policy page on our website.

Referral

Did you know we run a referral scheme? We pay a £1000 referral bonus if you introduce us to anyone who we then successfully place into a new job role. Just send us their information and we’ll do the rest.

Terms: A candidate is deemed to have been successfully placed once they have started a new job as a result of an introduction made by Hunter Dunning and when they’ve successfully completed the probation period. See website for full terms & conditions.

Associate Director job in Colchester – Your Property Recruitment Specialists ( Job Ref: 1348578) #LI-Hybrid