Building Regulations - Technical Lead in Portsmouth

As Technical Lead, you will act as the organisation’s Designated Individual (DI) under the Building Regulations 2010, providing authoritative governance, oversight, and assurance across all design and engineering disciplines. This is a pivotal role at the centre of a highly technical, first‑of‑a‑kind energy and carbon capture project. You will ensure that the client meets its statutory duties, fulfils its responsibilities as a principal construction partner and maintains the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. You will ensure that the project is delivered safely, compliantly, and collaboratively.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Leadership & Governance: Serve as Designated Individual, ensuring full compliance with the Building Regulations and all associated duties under the Building Safety Act. Provide authoritative technical leadership across all engineering disciplines, ensuring design integrity, constructability, and regulatory assurance from concept through to commissioning. Lead the governance of design processes, ensuring that regulatory requirements, project standards, and client expectations are embedded throughout. Oversee the development, coordination, and approval of higher‑risk building documentation, gateway submissions, and regulatory interactions.
• Design Assurance & Competence Management: Monitor and assess competence across all duty holders, design partners, and subcontractors working under the client's remit. Ensure that all technical outputs meet statutory requirements, industry standards, and project‑specific assurance frameworks. Lead design risk management activities, particularly in high‑risk or specialist environments. Maintain oversight of design changes, technical queries, and interface management across the consortium.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Integration: Work closely with consortium partners, client representatives, and regulatory bodies to ensure aligned, transparent, and collaborative technical delivery. Support cross‑partner integration, ensuring that technical responsibilities are clearly understood and effectively coordinated. Promote a culture of trust, psychological safety, and open dialogue across all technical teams. Represent at senior technical forums, design reviews, and governance boards.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Support the development and continuous improvement of building safety systems, processes, and assurance frameworks. Influence industry‑leading delivery approaches, leveraging strengths in areas such as geotechnical works, systems integration, digital engineering, and commissioning. Drive lessons learned, knowledge sharing, and best practice adoption across the project.

Who we're looking for:

• 10 years’ experience in technical, design, or construction leadership on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Deep understanding of the Building Regulations, Building Safety Act, and compliance requirements for higher‑risk buildings.
• Proven ability to influence design quality, safety, and assurance in large project environments.
• Strong capability in technical risk management, design governance, and multi‑stakeholder coordination.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across diverse teams and partner organisations.
• A degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership or active progression toward RIBA, CABE, RICS, ICE, or equivalent.
• Experience in specialist, regulated, or high‑risk environments (energy, science, secure facilities, laboratories, etc.) is advantageous.

Why work for us:

• An attractive/negotiated salary;
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays;
• Company car if applicable;
• Pension savings schemes;
• Enhanced maternity/paternity and family friendly policies;
• Access to our Refer and Earn scheme;
• Discretionary annual salary reviews.