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- Tasks: Lead Principal Designer services and ensure health & safety compliance on diverse projects.
- Company: Established RIBA-chartered architectural practice with a strong design and technical focus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development support, and a collaborative team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and supportive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a respected practice while working on varied and exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Principal Designer and knowledge of CDM Regulations and UK Building Regulations.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Chester
Salary: In the region of ÂŁ45-55,000 DOE
About the Company
This well‑established RIBA‑chartered architectural practice based in near Chester, Tarporley and Northwich has been delivering high‑quality design, technical services, and project delivery for over four decades. It works across residential, rural estate, commercial, educational and specialist sectors, offering a comprehensive range of services from conceptual design through planning and detailed technical delivery to construction oversight. The practice combines strong design capability with robust technical delivery and provides in‑house Principal Designer services as part of its end‑to‑end offering.
Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Opportunity to lead Principal Designer services in a respected design practice
- Collaborative team environment with experienced architects, technologists, and designers
- Exposure to diverse project types- from residential and rural estates to commercial and educational sectors
- Support for professional development and industry membership progression
- Workplace pension and standard holiday entitlement
Key Responsibilities / Daily Duties
- Act as Principal Designer under CDM Regulations 2015, ensuring statutory compliance and coordination of health & safety through all pre‑construction stages
- Work closely with design teams, clients, consultants, and contractors to integrate risk management into project workflows
- Review design information to identify, assess and mitigate design risks, ensuring safe outcomes
- Prepare and maintain pre‑construction information, risk assessments, method statements and other CDM‑related documentation
- Visit sites regularly to advise on design‑related safety matters and ensure compliance with agreed standards
- Provide guidance to project teams on CDM and Building Regulations implications
- Support continuous improvement of design processes and contribute to quality assurance systems
Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience delivering Principal Designer duties in architectural or construction design environments
- Accredited Principal Designer (e.g., APS membership) with solid experience interpreting and applying CDM Regulations
- Excellent knowledge of UK Building Regulations, health & safety legislation and CDM compliance
- Strong communication skills with the ability to liaise with clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary design teams
- Proactive, well‑organised and capable of managing multiple concurrent projects
- Confident working independently and as part of small, collaborative teams
- Experience in a practice environment or consultancies handling a broad variety of projects is highly desirable
Pricipal Designer in England employer: Penguin Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Penguin Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pricipal Designer in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at events or online. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Principal Designer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work and demonstrates your experience with CDM Regulations and risk management. We want to see how you’ve tackled design challenges in the past!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We need to know you’re genuinely interested in their work and can bring something unique to the table as a Principal Designer.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. We’re excited to see what you can bring to our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Pricipal Designer in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Designer role. Highlight your experience with CDM Regulations and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about design and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key in this role, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear and concise language, and don’t hesitate to demonstrate how you've effectively liaised with clients and teams in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Recruitment
✨Know Your CDM Regulations
Make sure you brush up on the CDM Regulations 2015 before your interview. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these regulations in past projects and how you ensure compliance during pre-construction stages.
✨Showcase Your Design Experience
Prepare to talk about your experience with diverse project types, especially in residential and commercial sectors. Highlight specific projects where you acted as Principal Designer and how you managed design risks effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing how you liaise with clients and multidisciplinary teams. Consider using examples from your previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Proactivity
Be ready to share instances where you took the initiative to improve design processes or quality assurance systems. Employers love candidates who can show they’re proactive and well-organised, so have a few examples up your sleeve.