CDM Principal Designer

  • Brandon James
  • City, Birmingham
  • Dec 03, 2025
Full time Consultant

Job Description

About the Company

A long-established, multi-disciplinary architectural practice with 40+ staff is expanding its in-house Health and Safety function. The practice operates across five specialist teams, three of which focus on healthcare, with the others covering industrial, commercial and general architectural work.

They deliver a broad range of projects from small refurbishments to major capital works up to 25m, including extensive healthcare estate upgrades, new clinics, internal reconfigurations, large extensions and industrial developments. They also support external partners on energy and decarbonisation schemes.

The business has a strong order book and a down-to-earth culture, with a clear focus on collaborative working, technical quality and early-stage design integration.

Over the past three years they have brought CDM and Health and Safety processes back in-house. The foundations have been built by two senior leaders who now need an additional professional to strengthen the department and support the growing project workload.



The Role:

This is a new position within the Health and Safety team, working closely with senior design and H&S leads to embed risk management at the earliest stages of design. You will be involved from Stage 0 onwards, supporting project teams and ensuring best practice is followed across both healthcare and commercial projects.

The role will include office collaboration, remote working and travel to sites across the UK, depending on the needs of each project. Travel will always be fully expensed.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the development of a growing in-house function and build a long-term career within a supportive environment.



Key Responsibilities

Support design teams by identifying, assessing and communicating design risks at early stages
Provide Health and Safety advice across a range of project sectors and sizes
Carry out site visits on a project-by-project basis
Assist in maintaining and improving internal documentation and processes
Collaborate with architects, technical teams and external consultants
Contribute to achieving compliance with CDM regulations
Help embed a proactive safety culture within the practice



What They Are Looking For

A background in design, architecture, or experience that allows you to understand and demonstrate design-related risk
Health and Safety or CDM knowledge (qualifications are advantageous but not essential)
Strong communication skills and the confidence to work closely with senior designers
Someone who wants to grow within a developing department rather than simply set up systems
A stable career history with a genuine interest in design-stage safety
Willingness to travel occasionally across the UK

Candidates with both design and Health and Safety qualifications will be strongly positioned, but the practice is open to developing someone who shows the right blend of interest and capability.



What's on Offer

Hybrid working tailored to the individual
Weekly office touch point with flexibility around remote working
Workplace pension and employee support scheme covering healthcare, counselling and financial advice
22 days annual leave plus long service awards
Annual bonus of around 2-3k if company turnover targets are met
Direct mentoring and progression within a newly developed department
Supportive working culture within a multi-disciplinary team