Principal Designer

CDM & BSA Principal Consultant

Job Description

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Design Manager, Project Manager, or H&S professional to join us in a strategic role that leads the implementation of our Principal Designer duties under both the CDM Regulations and the Building Safety Act 2022.

This role is primarily focused on governing the systems, procedures, and assurance mechanisms that underpin our compliance across all projects and sectors. Rather than performing the Principal Designer duties directly on every scheme, you will primarily be responsible for overseeing our panel of external consultants (Principal Designer Advisors) who carry out these duties on behalf of the business, ensuring their competence, consistency, and alignment with our policies.

In addition to this leadership and oversight function, you will also undertake the Principal Designer role for our secure projects, applying your experience and judgment where enhanced scrutiny and assurance are essential.

This is a unique hybrid role combining strategic leadership, consultant management, and direct involvement in critical projects, offering the opportunity to shape how Principal Designer duties are delivered across a diverse portfolio of work.

Desired Person Specification:

• Degree qualified with relevant and demonstrable experience within the construction industry
• Security Clearance to SC level (essential for the company's secure projects)
• RIBA, MRICS, MCABE, CIOB or similar qualifications
• CABE Certificate in Building Control
• Working knowledge of Building Regulations Approved Documents
• CDM qualifications and/or memberships are essential
• Association for Project Safety membership
• Proven track record within construction Health and Safety
• Working knowledge of CDM 2015 Regulations
• NEBOSH General Certificate or Construction certificate, or working towards, desirable
• IOSH Membership desirable (minimum 'Associate' level)

Key Responsibilities:

• Day-to-day delivery of CDM and BSA advisory services across a variety of regional business units, projects and sectors
• Undertake the duties of the CDM Principal Designer and/or Building Regulations Principal Designer where the company is appointed in those roles under an organisational appointment
• Oversee the delivery of service by our external consultants (panel members) when these are appointed as the Principal Designer Advisor
• Maintain and update the approved list of external consultants (panel members) and review potential new additions
• Audit the external consultants (panel members) when these are appointed as the Principal Designer Advisor
• Review and update the company's procedures for the CDM Principal Designer and Building Regulations Principal Designer
• Review and update the company's procedures and plans relevant to the BSA including those for HRBs
• Review and update the company's organisational capability & competency statements
• Review and update the CDM and BSA pages on the Hub
• Review and update the CDM and BSA folders in the Teams Technical Library
• Management support for training and development of others on the CDM Regulations and the Building Safety Act 2022

Desired Skills and Expertise

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Excellent communication skills
• Strong people management and leadership skills
• Excellence in both Professional and Construction Services
• Strong knowledge base including building control approvals and consultancy
• Delivery of work outputs within set time frames and commercial goals
• Commitment, enthusiasm and a strong work ethic
• Team player capable of a flexible approach
• Energetic & self-motivated
• Strong IT capabilities including working experience of Microsoft Office and Tablet & Mobile data collection

CDM Principal Designer

Candidates should be able to demonstrate a proven track record in health & safety with knowledge of the CDM Regulations alongside excellent communication and compliance workshop chairing skills:

• Provide CDM Principal Designer and Client Advisor services
• Preparation and review of key CDM documents
• Utilise CDM and H&S knowledge to ensure compliance
• Assist with the development of the Project Specific Works Information and Pre-Construction Information and confirm it is provided to the Principal Contractor
• Working with the project teams during Development to ensure appropriate strategies are in place to effectively manage the co-ordination of ongoing design work during construction.

Building Regulations Principal Designer

Successful candidates should be able to demonstrate a proven track record in Design Management of designers and design sub-contractors with knowledge of the Approved Documents alongside excellent communication and compliance workshop chairing skills:

• Provide Building Regulations Principal Designer and Client Advisor services
• Strong people management and leadership skills are an advantage to chair online and in person workshops with employees, designers and design sub-contractors, to help them comply with their new duty holder roles
• A detailed and in-depth understanding of Building Regulations including Fire Safety is required, together with desktop technical auditing, plans checking and compliance management