At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health and safety in education sector projects, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join a specialist consultancy focused on transforming educational environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, early finishes, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Exciting career progression opportunities and a collaborative work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in schools while developing your expertise in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in health & safety or as a Principal Designer; strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 55000 £ per year.
Bennett & Game are representing a specialist, multidisciplinary education estates consultancy who are seeking a Principal Designer to join their growing team based in Bury St Edmunds. Working exclusively within the education sector, the consultancy supports schools, academies and multi-academy trusts with a comprehensive range of estate management, surveying and construction consultancy services. Its in-house team brings together building surveyors, architects, engineers and health & safety specialists, providing clients with a joined-up service across the full lifecycle of their construction and refurbishment projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Principal Designer or construction health & safety professional to take ownership of the CDM Principal Designer function across a varied portfolio of education sector projects. The successful candidate will play an important role in leading health and safety considerations throughout the design and pre-construction stages, ensuring projects comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
The position will involve a genuine mix of office-based responsibilities and site visits, working closely with clients, designers, contractors and the wider project teams. Offering a balance of technical responsibility, client interaction and site-based work, this is a great opportunity to join an established consultancy where you can develop your expertise and contribute to projects that make a tangible difference to educational environments.
Salary & Benefits
- Salary: £35,000 - £55,000 DOE
- Car allowance
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Hybrid working
- Pension scheme
- Early finish on Fridays
- Additional Christmas holiday shutdown
- Supportive and collaborative working environment
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Opportunity to work on varied education sector projects
- Career progression opportunities
Principal Designer Position Overview
- Acting as Principal Designer under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 across a varied portfolio of construction projects
- Taking responsibility for leading and coordinating health and safety matters throughout the pre-construction phase
- Planning, managing and monitoring health and safety during the design process
- Identifying, eliminating and controlling foreseeable risks throughout the project lifecycle
- Coordinating designers and other project stakeholders to ensure health and safety considerations are incorporated into project designs
- Preparing, reviewing and maintaining relevant CDM documentation, including Pre-Construction Information and Health & Safety Files
- Providing advice and guidance to clients on their duties and responsibilities under CDM regulations
- Undertaking site visits and health & safety inspections to monitor compliance and identify potential risks
- Working closely with building surveyors, architects, engineers, contractors and project managers
- Supporting the delivery of refurbishment, extension and new-build projects across education estates
- Maintaining strong relationships with clients and ensuring health and safety requirements are effectively communicated throughout each project
Principal Designer Position Requirements
- Previous experience in a Principal Designer, CDM or construction health & safety role
- Good working knowledge of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
- Experience advising on and coordinating health and safety throughout the design and pre-construction stages
- Understanding of construction processes, design risk management and site-based health & safety requirements
- Confident undertaking site visits and liaising with contractors, consultants and clients
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and maintain accurate project documentation
- NEBOSH, IOSH or relevant health & safety qualification would be advantageous
- APS membership or relevant Principal Designer accreditation would be beneficial
- Education sector experience would be advantageous but is not essential
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites
The consultancy is open to candidates with varying levels of experience, with salary dependent on technical knowledge, qualifications and previous Principal Designer responsibilities.
Principal Designer in Kent employer: Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD
Join a rapidly expanding engineering business in Ipswich, where you will receive comprehensive training and development as a Junior Technical Sales Engineer. With a strong focus on employee growth, this role offers the unique opportunity to blend technical engineering with customer interaction, all within a supportive work culture that encourages progression into more autonomous positions. Enjoy a competitive salary and the chance to engage directly with customers, enhancing your skills in a dynamic environment.
Contact Details:
Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Designer in Kent
✨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 Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD, 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 at Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Designer in Kent
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 Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD
✨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!
