CDM Lead – Major Infrastructure Programme
Location: Reading / Hybrid (monthly visits to Clearwater Court)
Type: Full-time Contract – Umbrella (INSIDE IR35)
Rate: £45 - £60 PH
About the Role
Ceto Talent are recruiting for our client, seeking a highly experienced CDM Lead to oversee the implementation of CDM Designer duties across a major infrastructure programme. This role is pivotal in ensuring compliance with the CDM Regulations 2015 and embedding best practice “safe by design” principles from project inception through to delivery.
You’ll work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary design teams, contractors, and key stakeholders, driving the integration of health and safety considerations into every stage of the design process.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead on fulfilling CDM Designer responsibilities, applying best practice standards across the programme.
* Develop Pre-Construction Information Packs and coordinate the preparation of the Health and Safety File alongside the Principal Contractor.
* Identify, assess, and manage design risks relevant to the scope of works, maintaining a detailed design risk register.
* Participate in and chair multi-disciplinary design reviews, HAZOPs, and Design Gateway Reviews to ensure compliance and risk management.
* Integrate and coordinate risk registers across design packages, applying the hierarchy of risk control to promote early-stage interventions.
* Engage and influence senior stakeholders on design risk matters.
* Support the development and delivery of CDM and design safety training for project teams.
* Coordinate with asset owners, operations teams, contractors, and end users during early design phases to ensure practical and safe outcomes.
Skills & Experience
* Degree-qualified in a relevant construction or engineering discipline.
* Extensive experience in the Water Sector, specifically working under the CDM Regulations 2015.
* Strong understanding of CDM objectives, safe-by-design principles, and demonstrable experience acting as Principal Designer on multi-disciplinary infrastructure or utilities projects.
* Holds a professional chartership (e.g., engineer, surveyor, architect) and NEBOSH Construction Certificate.
* Site experience and in-depth sector knowledge, with the ability to provide case studies or references demonstrating successful coordination and design risk outcomes.
* Familiarity with standards such as BS 6164 (tunnelling/shaft works), PAS 1192 / ISO 19650 (BIM), and Construction Leadership Council guidance is desirable.
* Advantageous experience with infrastructure frameworks (NEC or FIDIC), AMP delivery frameworks, or utilities capital programmes.
* Experience using digital tools for design risk and document management (e.g., Asite, BIM 360, SharePoint) and basic BIM coordination skills.
* Additional desirable qualifications:
* Association for Project Safety membership (IMaPS / CMaPS)
* Temporary Works Coordinator or awareness training
* BIM Awareness or Information Management Certification
* SMSTS or equivalent site safety management training.
Why Apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity to shape health and safety outcomes on critical infrastructure projects, embedding design safety from the outset. You’ll work alongside talented teams in a collaborative environment that values technical excellence, innovation, and proactive risk management.
Interested?
Ceto Talent are proud to be recruiting for this role on behalf of our client. If you’d like to explore this opportunity or learn more, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch today