Principal Designer (Building Regulations) Newcastle

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Designer (Building Regulations)

Company: P+HS Architects

Location: Leeds, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Permanent

Category: Building Regulations & Compliance

Date Posted: July 31, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Provide expert guidance and ensure adherence to the Building Safety Act and relevant Building Regulations across all design phases.

• Manage and mitigate significant and foreseeable risks during the design phase, coordinating with clients and Principal Contractors.

• Oversee and coordinate contributions from all designers to maintain safety, quality, and compliance standards throughout the project lifecycle.

• Develop and maintain robust design control procedures, audit trails, and compliance documentation for regulatory approval.

• Contribute to business development by supporting bid submissions and fee proposals with regulatory expertise.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Advise clients and design teams on the Building Safety Act and Building Regulations to ensure comprehensive project compliance.

• Conduct detailed design reviews and plan checks to rigorously confirm adherence to regulatory requirements.

• Establish and maintain robust design control procedures, including comprehensive audit trails that clearly demonstrate regulatory compliance and design decisions.

• Ensure all compliance documentation, such as compliance trackers, change control logs, and Gateway submissions, is meticulously completed, accurate, and submitted punctually.

• Stay current with evolving legislation, guidance, and technical standards relevant to building safety and regulations.

• Deliver targeted training and guidance to internal teams to enhance organizational understanding of building safety and regulatory compliance best practices.

• Act as a primary advisor to colleagues and clients on all building safety and regulatory matters, fostering a culture of compliance.

• Represent P+HS Architects at client and design team meetings, delivering clear, professional, and actionable regulatory advice.

• Support bid submissions and fee proposals, contributing valuable regulatory insights to business development opportunities.

• Ensure all projects achieve Building Control approval efficiently, minimizing queries and rejections through proactive compliance management.

• Uphold high technical and commercial standards, delivering tangible value to clients through expert regulatory consultancy.

• Systematically capture lessons learned from each project to continuously improve future processes and compliance strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for ensuring P+HS Architects' projects meet stringent regulatory requirements, particularly under the Building Safety Act 2022. The emphasis on risk management, design coordination, and client advisory positions this as a senior, impactful role requiring deep legislative knowledge and strong communication skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Professional Certificate or equivalent in Building Control or a related field. Experience:

• Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in Building Control, regulatory compliance, or a senior design capacity within the construction and architecture sectors.

• Proven track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the full design and construction process.

• Extensive experience working with applicable legislation and regulations, with a specific focus on the Building Safety Act 2022. Required Skills:

• Building Regulations Expertise: Deep, hands-on knowledge of current UK Building Regulations and their application across diverse building types.

• Building Safety Act 2022 Proficiency: Comprehensive understanding and practical application of the Building Safety Act, including requirements for high-risk buildings.

• Design Compliance & Review: Ability to meticulously review architectural and engineering designs to ensure full regulatory compliance.

• Risk Management: Proven ability to identify, assess, and mitigate significant and foreseeable risks during the design phase.

• Regulatory Compliance Management: Experience in developing and maintaining systems for tracking, documenting, and ensuring ongoing regulatory compliance.

• Stakeholder Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate complex regulatory information clearly and effectively to clients, design teams, contractors, and internal stakeholders at all levels.

Preferred Skills:

• RICS/CABE Accreditation: Membership or accreditation with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).

• Building Safety Regulator Engagement: Demonstrated experience in successfully engaging with the Building Safety Regulator and managing applications.

• Project Lifecycle Management: Comprehensive understanding of the entire project lifecycle from inception through to completion, with a focus on regulatory milestones.

• Audit Trail & Documentation: Proficiency in creating and maintaining robust audit trails and compliance documentation (e.g., compliance trackers, change control logs).

• Training & Development: Experience in delivering training and guidance to teams on technical and regulatory matters.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for RICS/CABE accreditation, while preferred, indicates a strong emphasis on formal professional recognition and a deep-seated understanding of building control surveying principles. The AI-derived experience level of 5-10 years aligns with the "Principal" designation, suggesting a need for significant practical experience and a capacity for independent decision-making.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of Regulatory Compliance: Showcase detailed examples of projects where you successfully navigated complex Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act, demonstrating your problem-solving approach and achieved outcomes.

• Design Review & Audit Trail Examples: Provide evidence of your process for reviewing designs, identifying compliance gaps, and implementing corrective actions, ideally with sample audit trail documentation.

• Risk Mitigation Strategies: Illustrate instances where you identified and managed significant design-phase risks related to building safety and regulations, detailing the methodology used.

• Documentation Management Samples: Include examples of compliance trackers, change control logs, or Gateway submission preparation that highlight your organizational skills and attention to detail.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate your ability to design and document efficient workflows for design review, regulatory checks, and compliance reporting.

• Implementation & Automation: Show how you've implemented compliance processes and, where applicable, utilized systems or tools to automate tracking and reporting for improved efficiency.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Present how you measure the effectiveness of compliance processes, using metrics to track compliance success rates, query reduction, and timely approvals.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio is crucial to evidence practical application of Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act. The emphasis should be on demonstrating a systematic approach to compliance, risk management, and effective documentation, rather than solely on design aesthetics.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: £55,000 - £75,000 per annum.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Principal Designer roles in the UK, considering the specific expertise required in Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act. Factors such as location (Leeds), company size (growing architectural practice), and the seniority of the role (Principal) have been taken into account. Salary data was cross-referenced from reputable UK job boards and salary aggregators for similar positions.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working: Options to support a healthy work-life balance.

• Generous Holiday Allowance: 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.

• Christmas Shutdown: Additional paid time off during the Christmas period.

• Professional Fees Paid: Coverage of professional body membership fees (e.g., RICS, CABE).

• Health and Wellbeing Scheme: Initiatives and support to promote employee health.

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes: Opportunities to save on costs for various benefits.

• Profit Share Scheme: A share in the company's success, reflecting a commitment to employee contribution.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week. The company offers flexible working arrangements, allowing for adjustments to start and finish times where feasible, subject to project demands and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range reflects the seniority and specialized knowledge required for a Principal Designer focusing on Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act. The comprehensive benefits package, including profit sharing and professional fee coverage, indicates a commitment to employee value and career development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture and Design, with a specialization in Residential and Healthcare sectors.

Company Size: P+HS Architects is a growing practice, indicating a dynamic environment where individual contributions are recognized. This size often means more direct impact and visibility for employees.

Founded: Over 40 years ago, P+HS Architects brings a wealth of experience and a stable foundation, combined with an ambition for continuous growth and innovation. This blend suggests a culture that values both tradition and forward-thinking.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: While not explicitly defined as a traditional "operations" team, the Principal Designer will be a key member of the project delivery structure, working within design teams and liaising with project management.

• Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Director or Senior Partner responsible for technical standards and project delivery, with direct collaboration across architectural, technical, and project management disciplines.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Essential collaboration with architects, technicians, project managers, clients, and external consultants (e.g., Principal Contractors, Building Control Bodies).

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While primarily a design-led practice, the emphasis on Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act necessitates a data-driven approach to compliance and risk assessment.

• Workflow Optimization: Continuous improvement of design and delivery processes to enhance efficiency, safety, and regulatory adherence.

• Automation & Efficiency: Utilizing tools and processes to streamline compliance tracking, documentation, and reporting.

Company Website: https://www.pandhs.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: P+HS Architects emphasizes creating spaces that enhance people's lives, suggesting a purpose-driven culture. Their focus on employee development and a "great place to work" environment, combined with an ambitious growth trajectory, points to a supportive yet high-performing culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal Designer (Building Regulations) signifies a senior, expert-level position. This role requires a high degree of autonomy, specialized technical knowledge, and the ability to influence project outcomes and internal practices. It is a leadership role within the technical compliance domain.

Reporting Structure:

• The Principal Designer will report to a senior member of the leadership team, likely a Director or Head of Technical Services.

• They will work closely with project teams, providing essential guidance and oversight.

• This role involves significant interaction with external stakeholders, including clients, regulatory bodies, and contractors, acting as a key interface. Operations Impact:

• The Principal Designer's role directly impacts project success by ensuring legal compliance, mitigating risks, and preventing costly delays or rework.

• Their expertise contributes to the firm's reputation for quality and reliability, influencing client retention and new business opportunities.

• By improving internal processes and training, they enhance the overall technical capability and efficiency of the practice. Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of building regulations or advanced construction safety techniques.

• Leadership Development: Progress into roles with broader management responsibilities, such as Head of Technical Compliance or Director of Building Safety.

• Business Development: Play a more significant role in securing new projects by leveraging regulatory expertise and client relationships.

• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior designers and technical staff, fostering the next generation of compliance experts within the firm.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to industry bodies or standards committees, shaping future regulations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This Principal Designer role offers a clear path for career advancement within a specialized technical field. The emphasis on the Building Safety Act suggests that this role is at the forefront of industry changes, providing opportunities for growth through expertise in emerging regulations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Leeds, indicating a hybrid work environment. This suggests a blend of office-based collaboration and remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): Leeds, England. Further details on specific office amenities and accessibility would be available upon inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office likely