Job Description: Principal Designer (CDM)
Internal Job Title Engineering Project Manager
Reporting To
Department Manager – Design Management
Location
Birmingham/Hybrid
Purpose of the Role
The Principal Designer will take responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 (CDM) during the pre-construction and construction phases of projects. The role will lead on integrating health and safety into the design process, coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders, and provide a professional, billable service to clients.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as Principal Designer in accordance with CDM regulations, ensuring legal compliance across all relevant projects.
- Plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety in the pre-construction phase.
- Identify, eliminate, or control foreseeable risks through effective design risk management.
- Chair Hazid reviews and ensure appropriate actions are taken to manage and mitigate all risk identified
- Coordinate with the Principal Contractor representative (internal) to review methods of work and ensure wider CDM compliance through the construction phase.
- Ensure designers comply with their duties and co-operate with the project team.
- Advise clients on their CDM duties and responsibilities.
- Coordinate and communicate with contractors, engineers, and other stakeholders to embed health and safety throughout design and delivery.
- Maintain robust records and documentation to demonstrate compliance.
- Develop and maintain internal procedures, tools, and templates for CDM and safety compliance.
- Provide training and guidance to design teams on safety-in-design best practice.
- Act as a billable resource, ensuring services are charged appropriately to clients.
- Contribute to continuous improvement in safety culture, compliance standards, and efficiency.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Relevant degree (e.g. Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Health & Safety) or equivalent experience.
- Professional qualification in Health & Safety (e.g. NEBOSH Certificate/Diploma or equivalent).
- In-depth knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and associated guidance.
- Demonstrable experience acting as Principal Designer or in a similar CDM compliance role.
- Strong understanding of design risk management and safety in construction.
- Experience working in multi-disciplinary project teams.
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent knowledge of health and safety legislation.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Commercial awareness with the ability to deliver billable services.
- Proactive problem-solver with attention to detail.
- Ability to influence and promote a positive safety culture.
Desirable
- Chartered membership of IOSH, ICE, RICS, RIBA, or equivalent professional body.
- Experience in delivering training or mentoring in health and safety in design.
Previous experience in client-facing consultancy environments.