Principal Designer – Building Regulations / BRPD / PDBR / Building Safety Act in Kempston

Our client is an established construction and building health and safety consultancy, providing practical, professional and approachable support to clients across commercial, retail and residential construction projects. Established in 2003, the business works with clients, consultants, designers, contractors and wider project teams to help deliver safer, better‑managed and more compliant construction projects. The company is APS registered, SafeContractor approved and OSHCR registered, with a highly qualified team providing CDM, Principal Designer, Client Adviser and wider health and safety consultancy services.

As the Building Safety Act and the strengthened Building Regulations dutyholder regime continue to reshape the construction industry, the business is expanding its specialist Principal Designer service and is now looking to recruit a Principal Designer — Building Regulations / Building Safety Act to join its team.

The Role

This is a genuine Building Regulations Principal Designer opportunity for an Architect, Architectural Technologist, Building Control Surveyor, Building Surveyor, Design Manager or experienced CDM Principal Designer who understands design compliance and wants to develop specialist expertise under the Building Safety Act. You will join an established construction safety and building compliance consultancy with a strong client base across commercial, retail and residential projects. The role offers the chance to help shape a growing BRPD / PDBR service, work directly with clients and design teams and support projects through Building Regulations compliance, Gateway submissions, design risk coordination and dutyholder governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Principal Designer duties under the Building Regulations and Building Safety Act.
• Plan, manage and monitor design work to support compliance with relevant Building Regulations requirements.
• Attend design team meetings, workshops, project reviews and client meetings.
• Review design information and identify gaps, risks or areas requiring further coordination.
• Support RIBA stage reviews, Gateway submissions and Building Control application processes.
• Prepare Building Safety Act / Building Regulations progress reports at key project stages.
• Liaise with clients, architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, Building Control Bodies and other dutyholders.
• Help coordinate the route to compliance with the wider project team.
• Support design risk management, design change control and compliance tracking during the design phase.
• Advise clients on their duties under the Building Safety Act and the Building Regulations dutyholder regime.
• Help ensure effective cooperation, coordination and communication between project dutyholders.
• Support mandatory occurrence reporting arrangements where applicable.
• Assist with project documentation, design records, compliance evidence and Golden Thread information where required.
• Support the preparation and coordination of Fire and Emergency File information during the design phase.
• Review project team competence information and help support good project governance.
• Provide practical, proportionate advice to clients and design teams across both higher‑risk and non‑higher‑risk building projects.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a technically minded construction professional who enjoys design review, compliance, coordination and working closely with multidisciplinary project teams. Primary backgrounds: Architect, Architectural Technologist, Building Control Surveyor, Building Surveyor, Design Manager. Secondary backgrounds: CDM Principal Designer / H&S Consultant only where they have strong Building Regulations and design coordination experience. Or another relevant construction discipline. The role would suit someone who understands how buildings are designed and delivered, and who is interested in developing specialist expertise in the Building Regulations Principal Designer role.

Skills and Experience Required

• Around 4+ years’ relevant experience within construction, design, building control, CDM, building safety or health and safety consultancy.
• Good understanding of the Building Safety Act, Building Regulations and the current dutyholder regime.
• Experience or strong awareness of Principal Designer duties under the Building Regulations.
• Understanding of design coordination, design risk management and construction‑phase planning.
• Ability to review design information and identify potential compliance gaps or coordination issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence working with clients, consultants, contractors, Building Control Bodies and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Organised, process‑led and comfortable managing work across multiple projects.
• Ability to produce clear reports, meeting notes and compliance‑focused project documentation.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid working environment.
• Professional membership such as APS, IOSH, CIOB, RIBA, CIAT, CABE, RICS or similar would be beneficial.
• A relevant degree, technical qualification or equivalent industry experience would be preferred.

What’s on Offer

• Full‑time permanent opportunity.
• Hybrid working with trips to base in Bedford.
• Opportunity to join an established and respected consultancy.
• Work across varied commercial, retail and residential construction projects.
• Develop specialist expertise in one of the most important and fastest‑developing areas of the UK construction industry.
• Exposure to Building Safety Act, Building Regulations, Gateway and dutyholder compliance work.
• Supportive, knowledgeable and experienced team environment.
• Opportunity to help shape and develop a growing specialist service area.
• Competitive employment package including 31 days annual leave, sick pay provision, travel expenses paid and access to company schemes.

Why Apply?

Building safety and regulatory compliance are now central to how construction projects are designed, managed and delivered. Clients and project teams need clear, practical advice from professionals who understand both the technical and coordination challenges involved. This role offers the opportunity to build specialist expertise as a Principal Designer under the Building Regulations, work on meaningful projects and play an important part in helping clients and design teams deliver safer, better‑coordinated and more compliant buildings. If you are technically minded, confident working with project teams and interested in developing your career within Building Safety Act and Building Regulations Principal Designer services, we would welcome your application.