Job Description
Building Regulations Lead
Main Contractor | Residential & Mixed-Use Projects | UK (London & South East)
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Building Regulations Principal Designer to join a growing UK main contractor delivering residential and mixed-use projects across London and the South East.
This is a permanent, delivery-focused technical leadership role, not a consultancy or compliance-only position. You will sit at the centre of the design and construction process, taking ownership of Building Regulations compliance from early design through to completion, protecting the contractor and ensuring projects are built right first time.
Working closely with Technical Directors, Design Managers, consultants, and site teams, you will ensure compliance is practical, buildable, and robust under real site conditions.
The Role
As Building Regulations Principal Designer, you will be responsible for:
* Acting as Principal Designer under the Building Regulations across residential and mixed-use schemes
* Owning and coordinating compliance from concept design through delivery
* Leading compliance across Parts A, B, L, M and Q, with a strong focus on fire safety and higher-risk elements where applicable
* Managing and coordinating architects, engineers, and subcontractor design contributors
* Reviewing design information for buildability and regulatory risk, challenging where required
* Managing compliance through design change and late-stage revisions without impacting programme
* Liaising with Building Control bodies, fire authorities, and statutory consultees
* Supporting site teams by translating regulations into practical, buildable solutions
* Protecting the contractor through clear audit trails, design records, and compliance documentation
This role requires someone who can lead calmly under pressure, make sound decisions, and balance regulatory compliance with delivery realities.
The Right Profile
This role will suit someone who:
* Has proven experience acting as a Building Regulations Principal Designer, not just supporting
* Comes from a main contractor, design-and-build, or delivery-led environment
* Understands how compliance risk develops on live construction sites and how to prevent it
* Is comfortable working directly with site managers, design managers, and senior technical leadership
* Can challenge designers confidently and constructively
* Has experience managing compliance through design change and programme pressure
* Communicates clearly and carries authority without being obstructive
This is not a purely academic or paper-based role. Practical delivery experience is essential.
Typical Backgrounds
Strong candidates often come from:
* Design Manager or Technical Manager roles within main contractors
* Architectural Technologists or Architects with delivery and compliance ownership
* Building Control Surveyors with contractor-facing experience
* Multidisciplinary consultancies where the individual has operated in a hands-on delivery role
Experience & Qualifications
* Strong, current knowledge of UK Building Regulations
* Demonstrable experience delivering residential or mixed-use projects
* Comfortable operating across multiple schemes simultaneously
* Relevant professional qualifications or equivalent practical experience
* Ability to work between site and office environments as required
Why This Role
* Join a contractor with a strong delivery culture and quality focus
* Play a critical role in protecting projects and improving build outcomes
* Be trusted to lead, not micromanaged
* Long-term, stable opportunity within a growing construction group
Apply with your CV or contact us for a confidential contract discussion.