Job Description

The Senior Principal Designer plays a pivotal role in ensuring health and safety is embedded throughout the design and delivery of construction projects, in line with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Acting as a key advisor to clients and design teams, the role ensures that foreseeable risks are identified, mitigated, and communicated effectively from concept through to completion.



The successful candidate will lead design risk management activities, support the development of pre-construction information, and contribute to the preparation of health and safety files. This role also supports the wider team by mentoring junior staff, contributing to internal capability, and promoting best practice across projects. As a senior member of the team, the individual will be expected to represent the business professionally, build strong client relationships, and support the development of new opportunities. The role is ideal for someone ready to take ownership of complex projects and drive safe design outcomes.

What would Success in this role look like?

Success in this role means consistently delivering Principal Designer duties to a high standard, ensuring full compliance with CDM 2015 across all project stages. You will be recognised for proactively identifying and mitigating design risks, fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining clear, accurate documentation. Strong client relationships and repeat business will reflect your professionalism and influence.


Internally, success includes mentoring junior colleagues, contributing to team development, and supporting business growth through quality service delivery and thought leadership. Your work will enhance our reputation for safe, intelligent design and reinforce our position as a trusted advisor in the built environment.

Responsibilities

As a Senior Principal Designer, you will be responsible for leading the delivery of Principal Designer duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Your role will span the full lifecycle of projects, from early feasibility through to handover, ensuring health and safety is embedded in design decisions and project planning.

CDM Compliance and Design Risk Management

Fulfil the statutory duties of the Principal Designer under CDM 2015, ensuring legal compliance across all RIBA stages. Lead the identification, assessment, and mitigation of design-related health and safety risks. Facilitate and document design risk workshops, reviews, and coordination meetings. Ensure the principles of prevention are applied throughout the design process. Review and challenge design proposals to eliminate or reduce foreseeable risks. Support the development and maintenance of Design Risk Registers and Risk Assessments.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

Advise clients on their duties under CDM 2015 and support them in fulfilling their legal obligations. Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, design teams, contractors, and other stakeholders. Represent the business professionally in meetings, correspondence, and negotiations. Provide clear, concise guidance on health and safety matters to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Project Documentation and Coordination

Compile, manage, and issue Pre-Construction Information (PCI) in collaboration with clients and design teams. Prepare and coordinate the Health and Safety File, ensuring completeness and accuracy at project close-out. Review operation and maintenance manuals for compliance and clarity. Maintain records of key health and safety decisions and design changes throughout the project lifecycle.

Site Visits and Audits

Conduct site inspections to identify existing hazards and assess compliance with design intent. Where required, carry out health and safety audits during the pre-construction and construction phases. Provide practical, actionable feedback to project teams based on site observations.

Internal Development and Mentorship

Mentor and support junior members of the CDM and design management team. Share best practice and lessons learned across projects to improve team capability. Contribute to internal training programmes and development of guidance materials. Support the delivery of Safe by Design training sessions where appropriate.

Business Development and Strategic Contribution

Assist in the preparation of fee proposals, bid submissions, and marketing materials. Identify opportunities for new work and contribute to client engagement strategies. Support the development of service offerings and continuous improvement initiatives. Maintain awareness of industry developments, regulatory changes, and emerging best practice.

Experience & Qualifications

Experience and Required Skills

You will have substantial experience delivering Principal Designer duties under CDM 2015 across a range of sectors and project scales. A strong understanding of design risk management and construction methodologies is essential, along with the ability to influence design outcomes to improve health and safety.


You'll be confident leading workshops, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and advising clients on complex regulatory matters. Strong communication, technical writing, and stakeholder engagement skills are key.


You'll be highly organised, proactive, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality, compliant outputs in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

NEBOSH Construction Certificate or equivalent health and safety qualification. Membership of a recognised professional body such as the Association for Project Safety (APS), Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), or similar. Demonstrable CPD in construction health and safety, design risk management, or related disciplines. Evidence of training or certification in CDM 2015 compliance and design coordination. Eligibility to work in the UK and a full understanding of UK construction legislation and standards.

Styles & Behaviours

Ability to manage and prioritise a busy and varied workload across multiple projects and deadlines. Flexible and collaborative attitude, with strong team working skills and a willingness to support others. Diligent and detail-oriented, particularly when preparing client-facing documentation and technical reports. Excellent communication and organisation skills, with the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels. Strong presenting skills, capable of delivering clear and impactful presentations to a variety of audiences. Passionate about promoting safety and shaping the evolution of the Principal Designer role. Skilled in influencing design teams and clients to adopt safe and compliant design practices. Methodical and pragmatic approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

Well-organised with effective time management, able to work independently and maintain high standards under pressure.



A place for everyone



Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.


Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other's differences is key, we want employees to feel they don't have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.


We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.


Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.


#LI-JA1 #LI-Hybrid