Junior Principal Designer

If you want momentum early in a construction career, the kind that puts you ahead in a couple of years, not still "finding your feet" like half your mates will be, then it's worth reading on. Your best option for a stable, respected, and hard to replace part of construction is building safety. CDM is hugely in demand, it's growing and the progression, by necessity, is quicker and the long term earnings are stronger than almost anything else you can do in the industry.

This role is designed with just that in mind. You'll be trained properly, backed by senior people, and given responsibility earlier than most grads or juniors ever see whilst working towards more qualifications. Smaller projects first, then bigger ones, with clear steps forward. Senior consultant roles, leadership positions, and genuinely strong salaries have been achievable by people within five years. But don't worry in this company you can do it without burning yourself out. You'd never feel any pressure to work overtime or past your contracted hours. This is a place where family comes first (not the work 'family', your actual family).

If you do have a tough project; there's been a bit more travel than they initially thought, or a complex job, or you've gone above and beyond you'll be recognised, and you'll always get your time given back. What's more, you won't be boxed into a desk, treated like a human cash machine for the business, and you won't be waiting years to feel like you're progressing. This is a combination of proper consultancy, and hands-on work that gets you out and about and gives you responsibility.

What you'll be doing

• You'll support Senior CDM professionals on live projects, gradually taking on more responsibility as your confidence grows.
• You'll attend site inspections and audits, getting comfortable in real construction environments.
• You'll help prepare CDM documentation and support compliance under CDM 2015.
• You'll interact with designers, contractors, and clients — learning how to challenge unsafe practices constructively.
• Over time, you'll lead smaller projects independently, with clear progression to larger, more complex work.

What you'll need

• Any of these backgrounds:

• A construction-related degree like Building Surveying, Architecture, Project Management or
• A CDM or Health & Safety based course NEBOSH qualification (or started one)
• A solid site based or other construction background from trades like joinery.

About the company

You'll be joining a team of built environment specialists who take safety, sustainability, and commercial thinking seriously. It's a business where good work is noticed, development is intentional, and people are trusted to grow. Alongside your salary, you'll have pension contributions, life cover, private medical insurance, and a culture that genuinely looks after its people as they progress.

What you'll get

• Generous bonus scheme that can come to 20% in addition to your salary (£5000+)
• Support towards NEBOSH qualifications
• Flexible working with no mandatory office days
• Pension contributions, life cover, and private medical insurance
• Clear progression from junior support to independent project leadership and to become a fully qualified professional.

If you don't have a perfect CV, that's fine. An old one or your LinkedIn profile is more than enough to start the conversation.