Associate Director - Principal designer in City of London

Location: London (Hybrid Working)

Travel: UK-Wide

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits

Join the Leadership Team at BlueLight Management. BlueLight Management is seeking an experienced and commercially focused senior professional to join our leadership team and help drive the continued growth of our Building Safety & Compliance practice. Working across a diverse portfolio of public and private sector projects, you will lead the delivery of Principal Designer and Building Safety services whilst supporting the development of a multidisciplinary team operating throughout the United Kingdom. This is a strategic leadership role for an individual with extensive experience in CDM Principal Designer services, Building Regulations Principal Designer duties and Building Safety Act compliance. The successful candidate will help shape the future direction of the service, support business growth and provide technical leadership across a growing portfolio of complex projects.

About the Team

• CDM Principal Designer services
• Building Regulations Principal Designer services
• Building Safety Act compliance
• Building Safety Regulator (BSR) application support
• Gateway submissions and approvals
• Design risk management
• Building regulations compliance
• Client dutyholder advisory services
• Construction health and safety management

Working closely with our project management, commercial management, fire engineering and building safety specialists, the team supports clients through every stage of the project lifecycle from inception through to completion and occupation.

The Role

As a senior member of the Building Safety & Compliance leadership team, you will be responsible for managing service delivery, developing client relationships and providing technical leadership across the business. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, oversee complex commissions and support the continued development of BlueLight Management's national Building Safety offering.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of CDM Principal Designer commissions across multiple sectors.
• Undertake and oversee Building Regulations Principal Designer appointments.
• Provide expert advice on Building Safety Act compliance and dutyholder responsibilities.
• Support Building Safety Regulator applications and Gateway submissions.
• Lead design risk management workshops and design reviews.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulations and industry best practice.
• Review project documentation and provide strategic technical guidance.
• Support clients in discharging their statutory duties.

• Provide leadership, mentoring and technical support to members of the Building Safety & Compliance team.
• Assist in developing systems, procedures and quality standards.
• Promote continuous professional development across the team.
• Support recruitment, succession planning and service growth initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing professional culture.

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Support framework bids, tender submissions and fee proposals.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client commissions.
• Represent BlueLight Management at client meetings and industry events.
• Contribute to strategic business planning and growth.

Essential Requirements

• Extensive experience delivering Principal Designer services under CDM 2015.
• Significant experience of Building Regulations Principal Designer duties.
• Strong understanding of the Building Safety Act and associated regulations.
• Demonstrable experience supporting Building Safety Regulator applications and approvals.
• Excellent understanding of design management and multidisciplinary project delivery.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Commercial awareness and business development capability.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in construction, engineering, architecture, project management, surveying or a related discipline.
• CMaPS, IMaPS or equivalent Principal Designer accreditation.
• Chartered membership of a recognised professional institution such as RICS, CIOB, ICE, IOSH, APS, RIBA, IStructE etc.

Desirable Experience

• Experience acting as Building Regulations Principal Designer on higher-risk buildings.
• Experience supporting healthcare, public sector or complex infrastructure projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary consultancy teams.
• Experience developing new service lines and business growth strategies.
• Existing client network and industry profile.

What We Offer

• Senior leadership position within a growing consultancy.
• Opportunity to shape and develop a national Building Safety & Compliance practice.
• Diverse and high-profile project portfolio.
• Competitive remuneration package.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Professional development and training support.
• Clear pathway to Director-level responsibilities.
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial working environment.

Why Join BlueLight Management?

This is an opportunity to play a leading role in one of the UK's most rapidly evolving areas of the construction industry. You will join a growing multidisciplinary consultancy with ambitious plans for expansion and the opportunity to influence the future direction of our Building Safety & Compliance services. The successful candidate will combine technical excellence, commercial awareness and leadership capability to help BlueLight Management continue to deliver high-quality advice and successful outcomes for clients across the UK.