The Opportunity
The Health and Safety team specialise in the provision of CDM related services including Principal Designer; Principal Designer Support Services and Health & Safety. We work across the UK with a wide range of both new and longstanding clients within businesses and in sectors as diverse as residential, commercial, retail, office, manufacturing and leisure.
This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a successful consultancy which is going through an exciting period of growth.
As a Senior Principal Designer/ Health & Safety Manager, you will be responsible for managing and leading a small team. Your knowledge and skills will contribute to the growth and success of our work delivering robust solutions to meet our clients’ health and safety objectives, aims and aspirations.
The role and requirements
- Deliver Principal Designer CDM services ensuring compliance with the CDM regulations (please note this is a CDM role and not a dual Principal Designer Building Regulations role)
- Undertake Business Development initiatives, promote the PD services, actively engage in winning new projects as well as maintaining existing clients
- Manage the PD projects, control resource expenditure and monitor associated costs to ensure profitability
- Support and lead the Health & Safety team, providing advice and guidance on technical and Health & Safety matters
- Keep up to date with changing regulations / standards / industry best practice and promote and educate on changes happening
- Prepare and deliver internal presentations / CPDs to pass knowledge to the wider practice
- Manage the pre-construction phase, including preparation and collation of pre-construction information, lead CDM Workshops and contribute to the development of design safety strategies for construction, end use and future maintenance activities
- Liaise with various stakeholders on projects, clients, principal contractors, architects, design teams and keep them updated in relation to Health & Safety / CDM matters
- Undertake site inspections, compliance audits, evaluate risks, prepare Health and Safety files and review operation and maintenance manuals
- Actively work closely with both external clients and internal partners
- Assist with the development of our QA (ISO 9001 & 14001) systems, maintaining procedural / guidance documentation, undertaking project reviews, assist with internal and external system audits, coach staff to better understand our processes
- Review business processes and lead on the implementation of change as appropriate
- Lead training sessions, toolbox talks, and awareness campaigns to promote a strong safety culture across the organisation
- Perform associated miscellaneous duties as required by the equity partners to support the business needs
The skills and experience you need to have for this role
- Possess a recognised appropriate professional qualification in Health & Safety and construction / degree or equivalent
- In depth knowledge of the CDM regulations and associated legislation
- NEBOSH Construction Certificate or similar technical or professional qualification
- Be an Associate member of the Association for Project Safety and / or technical membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
- Experience in leading, managing and developing a small team across various locations with the ability to think strategically
- Proven experience of delivering CDM Principal Designer duties in the retail fit-out sector
- Lead and deliver CDM Principal designer services whilst managing the team
- Extensive experience of overseeing the design risk management process including running CDM workshops
- Skillset to challenge designers to ensure safe methods of construction are established during the pre-construction phase
- Participation in the access and maintenance process including plant replacement strategies
- An understanding and experience of the design and construction process and the principles of risk reduction
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, operating as an integral member of our project teams
- Guide the team to ensure compliance with the regulations and the requirements of the approvals process.
- Strong IT skills, particularly, MS office, Mitti (Safety Culture) familiarisation is beneficial
- Motivation to streamline processes, identify and execute continuous improvement
- A full and clean UK driving licence is essential for this role which requires regular travel across the country
About us
We are NJSR Chartered Architects LLP, established in 1913 with an excellent reputation for working in the retail sector with offices in Southport and Manchester.
Our people bring a vast range of skills, delivering a professional mindset and a genuine passion to every one of the projects they undertake each year. They’re the foundation of our success - they drive our vision, embody our values and separate us from the competition.
Come and join us if you’re hungry to develop and grow our team
How to apply
To find out if this role is for you, please send your CV to [email protected]
No agencies, UK residents only
Closing date Friday 18/09/2026
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Southport
