At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health & safety in design projects, ensuring compliance with CDM regulations.
- Company: Join Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design and consultancy.
- Benefits: Flexible working, career growth, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of construction safety while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Degree in design or engineering and relevant safety qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 59270 - 72442 £ per year.
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 34,000 people, in over 30 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.
Arcadis provides Design and Consultancy services in combination with deep expertise in built assets. Our Design and Construction Safety Team are involved in some of the UK’s most complex and stimulating projects that are both diverse and technically demanding. We also provide global opportunities as we embrace cross-region collaboration.
We are looking for an experienced health & safety professional to support design & engineering projects within a wide range of industry sectors, working with teams of multi-disciplinary architects, engineers and technicians. This role will focus on delivering an exemplar Principal Designer service under CDM 2015 regulations and a background experience in building design is essential. In the role you will be carrying out tasks which include the implementation of principles of prevention, design reviews, development of designers' risk assessments, collating pre-construction information and undertaking assessment of contractor safe working arrangements. You will be a key partner to project and design teams, bridging the gap between regulatory frameworks and practical site execution. You will support handover interfaces, including developing health and safety files.
With an increasing focus on flexible working and working locations, this role is offered to potential candidates from across the southern regions of the UK, with the understanding that attendance will be required at key meetings, client & design meetings and site visits.
Role accountabilities:
- Build & maintain relationships with colleagues and client contacts to identify and realise opportunities to promote our team capability.
- Liaison with clients to understand specific project requirements and to report on technical and commercial progress.
- Provide advice on how to meet CDM regulatory requirements and relevant engineering safety standards, including Client, Designer and Contractors.
- Undertake site inspections and design audits covering a wide range of health and safety matters; assessing performance and identifying actions to ensure compliance with legislation and best practice.
- Conduct audits of client supply chain to establish mechanisms in place to discharge Designer, Principal Designer and/or Principal Contractor duties.
- Deliver CDM knowledge share session to project and client teams.
- Involvement with third-party liaison and consents, i.e. Environment Agency, planning authorities, Health & Safety Executive, Network Rail and others.
- Provide professional leadership in aspects of safety discipline, establishing and consolidating relationships with clients, and taking ownership of the delivery of the technical strategy of projects.
- Provide professional leadership in the Water Sector to develop H&S CDM opportunities with Arcadis and Water Sector Clients.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Design or engineering related degree, diploma or certificate.
- Membership of a recognised design body such as ICE, IMechE, CIOB, RIBA or suitable alternative recognised design body.
- Qualification in Construction Safety (NEBOSH Construction Certificate/Diploma).
- Member of a safety-related institution, such as APS or IOSH.
- 3 - 7 years of practical experience in delivering CDM on building design and/or engineering projects, along with current or previous design activities/function/involvement.
- Construction site safety expertise: risk assessments, safety inspections, permit-to-work systems, toolbox talks, and emergency response planning.
- Track record/involvement in the delivery of projects with knowledge of building regulation-approved document is an advantage.
- Ability to challenge designers on CDM design compliance.
- Acting as a CDM and H&S technical advisor to internal and external clients.
- Able to appreciate the team's financial, quality and programme targets.
- Ability to clearly communicate design philosophy and requirements with other team members.
Why Arcadis?
We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.
You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you. Together, we can create a lasting legacy. Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We believe that by working together diverse people with different experiences develop the most innovative ideas. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.
Principal Designer - Construction Safety (CDM) employer: Arcadis
Arcadis UK is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where sustainability and resilience are at the forefront of our projects. Employees benefit from continuous professional development opportunities, a supportive environment, and the chance to work on impactful projects in the water and energy sectors. Located in the UK, we offer a dynamic workplace that values diversity and encourages creative solutions to complex engineering challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Designer - Construction Safety (CDM)
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Arcadis, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Principal Designer - Construction Safety (CDM) at Arcadis.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Designer - Construction Safety (CDM)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arcadis
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
