Principal Designer (PD)

Principal Designer (PD)

Contract: Government
Location: Birmingham, B37 7ES - hybrid role
Hours of work: 40
Contract Type: Permanent

Our client, a leading provider of facilities services in the UK, is seeking a Principal Designer (PD) to take legal responsibility for overseeing health and safety during the pre-construction phase of projects.

The Principal Designer will ensure that all health and safety considerations are properly planned, coordinated and addressed before any project is approved to proceed. This role provides assurance that projects meet all procedural and regulatory requirements, supporting safe and compliant delivery from the outset.

Acting as a subject matter expert, the successful candidate will bring together pre-construction information and collaborate closely with designers, contractors, internal teams and external partners. The role also provides strategic leadership across large, complex projects, ensuring delivery aligns with business objectives, legal obligations, budgets and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, manage and coordinate all health and safety activities during the pre-construction phase
• Collate and manage pre-construction information, ensuring it is shared appropriately with all relevant stakeholders
• Identify, eliminate or control health and safety risks through effective design and planning
• Lead and manage large-scale, cross-functional projects with multiple linked workstreams
• Act as the subject matter expert, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations and company standards
• Define project scope, allocate resources and manage stakeholder expectations
• Identify, assess and mitigate risks that could impact project delivery
• Provide strategic oversight, governance and accountability for successful project outcomes

Person Specification

• Level 3 qualification (desirable)
• FESS Certificate (required)
• Proven experience leading large-scale, cross-functional projects
• Experience managing budgets exceeding £1m
• Good knowledge of PAS 8671 and NEC4 contracts
• Strong understanding of relevant health and safety legislation
• Good knowledge of construction processes, with the ability to interpret drawings and specifications
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills

Additional Requirements

• Proficient in MS Project, Excel and PowerPoint
• Full UK driving licence with flexibility to travel as required