Technical & Principal Designer (Building Regulations)

Technical & Principal Designer (Building Regulations)

Full-Time 60000 - 71713 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Headley Professional Recruitment Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead compliance for fast-paced retail and banking fit-out projects across the UK.
  • Company: Reputable interior fit-out contractor with a focus on quality and speed.
  • Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Join a collaborative team and thrive in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary setting.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with leading brands like Barclays and Tesco.
  • Qualifications: Experience in design compliance and strong knowledge of Building Regulations required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 71713 £ per year.

We are recruiting a Technical & Principal Designer (Building Regulations) for our client in London. The client is an interior fit out contractor specialising in retail, banking, commercial and leisure fit out projects across the UK. They have an excellent reputation and history of producing quality, fast‑track fit out projects across the sector for leading clients such as Barclays, Lloyds Bank, Tesco, Pure Gym, Selfridges, and Sainsbury’s.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and confident Technical Designer & Principal Designer (Building Regulations), delivering fast‑paced retail and banking fit‑out projects nationwide. This hybrid position requires an individual who can immediately and independently discharge the statutory duties of Principal Designer (Building Regulations), while also contributing as a skilled Technical Designer within our multi‑disciplinary project workflows. The successful candidate will lead Building Regulations compliance from project inception through to detailed design, ensuring all design work is coordinated, compliant, and fully evidenced. You will work closely with designers, contractors, security specialists, banking stakeholders, and Building Control bodies, taking a proactive role in managing compliance risk and safeguarding design integrity across multiple concurrent branch projects. Experience with Higher‑Risk Buildings (HRBs) is advantageous but not essential—a strong command of Building Regulations, design‑compliance leadership, and multi‑disciplinary coordination is the priority.

Principal Designer (Building Regulations) - Core Duties

  • Act as the appointed PD:BR on retail banking fit‑out projects, taking full responsibility for planning, managing, monitoring and coordinating all design compliance activities.
  • Lead the evaluation of design information against the Building Regulations and verify that all proposals are safe, compliant, and supported by traceable evidence.
  • Manage project‑specific Building Regulations Compliance Trackers, Golden Thread documentation, and design‑compliance audit trails.
  • Drive coordination between architecture, MEP, fire safety, security, structural and specialist design disciplines.
  • Challenge and resolve compliance gaps, design risks, departures, and technical inconsistencies.
  • Liaise with Building Control bodies, prepare compliance documentation, and support submissions.
  • Educate and guide designers, suppliers and subcontractors on compliance expectations and duty holder responsibilities.
  • Oversee and record design changes, ensuring proper change control, traceability and regulatory approval.
  • Ensure all compliance decisions and design‑justifications are captured for project handover and long‑term safety documentation.

Technical Designer Responsibilities

  • Produce and refine technical drawings, fit‑out layouts, security‑sensitive layouts, joinery packs, and interface details for retail banking environments.
  • Translate brand guidelines, corporate specifications and security requirements into fully coordinated technical solutions.
  • Carry out site surveys, existing condition checks and design verification.
  • Coordinate technical inputs from internal teams, suppliers, security partners, MEP and specialist subcontractors.
  • Support tender packages, construction issue drawings and site clarifications.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

  • Proven ability to act as a Principal Designer (BR) with immediate readiness to undertake the statutory PD:BR role.
  • Strong technical background in architecture, interior design, fit‑out or related construction design discipline.
  • Excellent working knowledge of the Building Regulations and compliance strategies across multiple disciplines.
  • Skilled in reading, analysing and challenging drawings, specifications, and test evidence.
  • Ability to manage multiple fast‑paced fit‑out projects and prioritise compliance‑critical decisions.
  • Clear, confident communication and coordination skills—able to influence designers, clients and contractors.
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD and familiarity with common data environments.
  • Retail fit‑out or banking‑sector experience highly advantageous.
  • HRB experience is beneficial but not required.

Ideal Candidate Profile

  • Operate confidently as a compliance leader, not just a reviewer.
  • Combines technical design expertise with rigorous, methodical compliance management.
  • Enjoys a fast‑paced environment involving multiple simultaneous projects.
  • Have a strong eye for detail and a proactive approach to resolving risks and non‑compliance.
  • Thrives in a collaborative environment with banking clients, security specialists, and multi‑disciplinary teams.

Technical & Principal Designer (Building Regulations) employer: Headley Professional Recruitment Ltd

Our client is an esteemed interior fit-out contractor based in London, renowned for delivering high-quality, fast-track projects across retail, banking, commercial, and leisure sectors. With a strong commitment to employee development and a collaborative work culture, they offer unique opportunities for growth and innovation, making it an excellent employer for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in the industry. The hybrid working model further enhances work-life balance, allowing employees to thrive in a dynamic environment while contributing to prestigious projects for leading clients such as Barclays and Tesco.

Headley Professional Recruitment Ltd

Contact Details:

Headley Professional Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Technical & Principal Designer (Building Regulations)

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Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!

We think you need these skills to ace Technical & Principal Designer (Building Regulations)

Building Regulations Compliance
Technical Design Expertise
Project Management
Multi-Disciplinary Coordination
Compliance Risk Management
Communication Skills
AutoCAD Proficiency

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!

Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Headley Professional Recruitment Ltd!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Headley Professional Recruitment Ltd. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!

Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!

How to prepare for a job interview at Headley Professional Recruitment Ltd

Master the Technical Questions

In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.

Bring Your Portfolio to Life

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In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.

Engage with Your Interviewers

Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Headley Professional Recruitment Ltd.