CDM Principal Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: CDM Principal Designer

Company: Fulkers Bailey Russell

Location: Brighton, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Construction & Safety Operations / GTM Compliance

Date Posted: 2026-08-04

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for ensuring compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) for a construction consultancy.

• The CDM Principal Designer will be responsible for managing health and safety risks throughout the design and construction phases of residential and commercial projects.

• Key focus areas include pre-construction planning, design risk management, site audits, and the creation and maintenance of essential health and safety documentation.

• This position requires a proactive approach to client advisory and a deep understanding of health and safety legislation to mitigate project risks effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input describes a "CDM Principal Designer," this role, particularly within a construction consultancy, has significant operational and GTM (Go-To-Market) compliance aspects. The "Principal Designer" role under CDM regulations is a client-facing function that directly impacts project delivery and risk mitigation, aligning it with operational oversight and ensuring the company's services meet regulatory standards, which is crucial for GTM success and client trust. The "Hybrid" work arrangement and the company's B Corp status also suggest an emphasis on operational efficiency and corporate responsibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Act as the appointed Principal Designer, ensuring all client duties under CDM 2015 are comprehensively fulfilled.

• Lead the planning, coordination, and management of the pre-construction phase, including the meticulous submission of F10 notifications to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

• Provide expert, proactive advice to clients and project teams on health and safety matters and design risk management throughout all project stages, from initial feasibility to final handover.

• Ensure all members of the design team adhere to CDM 2015 requirements, actively reviewing and assisting with the development and implementation of Design Risk Assessments.

• Prepare, review, and manage critical project health and safety documentation, including pre-construction information packs, detailed risk assessments, method statements, and the final Health and Safety File.

• Conduct regular CDM site audits and diligently monitor the health and safety performance of contractors and project teams on behalf of the client to ensure ongoing compliance.

• Actively participate in design, site, and progress meetings to facilitate effective and transparent communication channels between contractors, designers, and clients.

• Offer crucial support to Senior Consultants on more complex or high-risk projects, contributing expertise and strategic insights.

• Meticulously review Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manuals to ensure accurate, compliant, and comprehensive handover documentation is provided to clients.

• Champion and uphold high health and safety standards across all projects, actively supporting environmental and social impact initiatives as part of the company's B Corp commitment.

• Undertake additional duties and responsibilities as reasonably required to support the team and project objectives, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to operational excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are standard for a Principal Designer under CDM 2015. The enhancement focuses on framing these duties within an operational context, emphasizing proactive risk management, compliance assurance, and client advisory services as core operational functions that drive project success and client satisfaction. The inclusion of "environmental and social impact initiatives" directly ties into the company's B Corp status, highlighting an operational commitment beyond regulatory minimums.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Professional certification or a strong commitment to pursuing qualifications such as IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) membership or Association for Project Safety (APS) membership is highly desirable.

• While a specific degree is not mandated, a background in a relevant construction, engineering, or health and safety discipline is beneficial. Experience:

• Demonstrable previous experience in a similar Principal Designer or equivalent health and safety management role within the construction industry.

• Proven track record in the practical implementation and management of CDM 2015 regulations on a variety of projects.

• Experience in translating complex health and safety legislation and technical requirements into clear, actionable advice for clients and project teams. Required Skills:

• In-depth knowledge and practical application of CDM 2015 regulations and their implementation in construction projects.

• Comprehensive understanding of UK Health and Safety Legislation relevant to the construction sector.

• Proficiency in conducting and documenting risk assessments, method statements, and preparing Health and Safety Files.

• Strong capability in planning, coordinating, and managing the pre-construction phase of projects, including HSE notification processes.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, essential for client-facing interactions and effective stakeholder management.

• Proven organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and meet deadlines. Preferred Skills:

• Formal qualifications such as IOSH (e.g., GradIOSH, CMIOSH) or membership with the Association for Project Safety (APS).

• Experience utilizing a range of tools and processes for risk management, from basic risk registers to more sophisticated risk modelling software.

• Experience in providing strategic advice to clients on risk mitigation and the development of robust risk response plans for projects and existing facilities.

• Ability to produce high-quality, compliant documentation adhering to company standards and client requirements.

• Experience in conducting site audits and monitoring health and safety performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Education" section has been expanded to clarify the value of IOSH/APS qualifications within the UK construction safety context. "Experience" has been refined to emphasize practical application of CDM 2015 and client advisory. "Required Skills" now clearly distinguishes between regulatory knowledge and practical application, while "Preferred Skills" highlights advanced capabilities and specific qualifications that would set a candidate apart. The inclusion of "risk modelling software" and "client advisory on risk mitigation" adds operational depth.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating successful management of CDM 2015 duties on diverse residential and commercial projects.

• For each case study, clearly articulate the project scope, your specific role, the health and safety challenges encountered, and the solutions implemented.

• Provide evidence of your ability to develop and implement robust design risk management processes, highlighting how you identified and mitigated potential hazards.

• Include examples of key health and safety documentation you have personally prepared or significantly contributed to, such as pre-construction information, risk assessments, and Health and Safety Files.

• Quantify the impact of your interventions where possible, e.g., reduction in reported incidents, successful HSE audits, or client satisfaction feedback related to safety management. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate familiarity with creating and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) for health and safety compliance and design risk management.

• Provide examples of workflow diagrams or process maps illustrating how you manage the lifecycle of health and safety documentation from initiation to completion.

• Showcase your ability to document site audit findings, corrective actions, and follow-up procedures to ensure continuous improvement in safety performance.

• Illustrate your approach to knowledge management and the dissemination of best practices for health and safety and CDM compliance within a project team or consultancy environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for a role focused on compliance and risk management. The "Portfolio Essentials" are tailored to highlight tangible evidence of CDM 2015 expertise and risk mitigation capabilities. "Process Documentation" emphasizes the candidate's ability to formalize and optimize safety-related workflows, a key operational skill for a consultancy aiming for efficiency and consistency. The mention of "risk modelling software" from the skills section can be linked here as a tool to demonstrate advanced process capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a CDM Principal Designer with 5-10 years of experience in the UK, particularly in the Brighton area, the estimated salary range is £50,000 - £70,000 per annum. This range accounts for the specialized nature of CDM regulations, client-facing responsibilities, and the hybrid working model. Benefits:

• Generous Leave: 33 days of holiday (including bank holidays), with an additional paid day off for your birthday and during the Christmas shutdown period.

• Flexible Holiday Options: Ability to purchase or carry over up to 5 additional holiday days annually, promoting work-life balance.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Private health cover provided from day one of employment.

• Family Support: Enhanced maternity and paternity leave policies to support employees during significant life events.

• Community Engagement: A paid charitable volunteer day to contribute to causes important to you.

• Agile Working: Flexible working policy that supports a hybrid work arrangement, blending office and remote work.

• Performance Rewards: Annual discretionary bonus and salary review to recognize contributions and market alignment.

• Retirement Planning: Company pension scheme to support long-term financial security.

• Employee Support: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support and guidance.

• Commuting Benefits: Cycle-to-work scheme to promote sustainable commuting options.

• Wellbeing Resources: Access to a dedicated wellbeing app and an online learning platform for personal and professional development.

• Professional Development: Significant opportunities for career development, including chartership support and ongoing training.

• Referral Program: Internal recruitment referral bonus scheme, encouraging team growth.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are 40 hours per week. The agile working policy offers flexibility in how and where these hours are fulfilled, within the operational needs of the business and client project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on the role, experience level, and UK location. A detailed methodology would involve consulting UK-specific salary data for construction safety professionals, factoring in the "Principal Designer" designation which commands a premium, and considering the hybrid work model. The benefits are listed comprehensively as provided in the input