Principal Designer

Real authority and accountability over CDM and health & safety strategy.

The role offers job security, and a competitive salary/

About Our Client

The client is a large housing and regeneration group operating across multiple regions, with a strong focus on delivering safe, compliant, and high-quality construction and investment projects. They are committed to fostering a positive health, safety, and environmental culture while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and continuous improvement across their operations.

Job Description

• Lead and manage health & safety during the pre-construction phase of development projects.
• Act as Principal Designer under CDM 2015 regulations.
• Coordinate and communicate with designers, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure safety compliance.
• Conduct site visits and assess existing hazards and restrictions.
• Review and advise on construction phase plans and safety documentation.
• Compile and hand over health & safety files at project completion.
• Maintain and audit health, safety & environmental (HS&E) systems in line with ISO standards.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies (e.g. HSE, Environment Agency, Fire Authorities).
• Investigate incidents, analyse trends, and implement corrective actions.
• Deliver CDM and HS&E training to staff and managers.
• Support contractor selection and procurement processes with safety assessments.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance across all construction activities.
• Promote a positive safety culture and ensure continuous improvement in HS&E practices.

The Successful Applicant

• Strong working knowledge of CDM 2015 regulations and experience acting as a Principal Designer.
• Proven background in health, safety, and environmental management within construction or development projects.
• Experience conducting site visits, risk assessments, and safety audits.
• Ability to coordinate design teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure safety compliance.
• Familiarity with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards and maintaining accredited systems.
• Skilled in incident investigation, root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
• Confident in liaising with regulatory bodies such as HSE, Environment Agency, and Fire Authorities.
• Capable of delivering training and guidance on CDM and HSE topics to staff and managers.
• Strong understanding of legal and regulatory compliance in construction health & safety.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience supporting procurement processes and contractor evaluations from a safety perspective.
• A proactive approach to promoting a positive safety culture across teams and projects.

What's on Offer

• Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee discounts
• Car scheme
• Sick pay
• Good transport link