CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor
CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor

CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Vista Building Safety

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead health and safety compliance in construction projects, ensuring risk management from start to finish.
  • Company: Vista Building Safety is a collaborative team focused on building safety and compliance.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for training and professional development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on construction safety while working on diverse and exciting projects.
  • Qualifications: Degree or equivalent in a relevant field; strong knowledge of CDM regulations required.
  • Other info: Join a growing service and shape best practices in the industry.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor

CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

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We\’re Hiring: CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor

Vista Building Safety is actively seeking an experienced and competent construction professional to join our team as a CDM Principal Designer. This role is central to ensuring health and safety compliance under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), supporting clients in managing risk from project inception through to completion.

About Vista Building Safety

At Vista Building Safety, we take a collaborative and expert-led approach to delivering the Principal Designer (PD) role, ensuring compliance with both CDM 2015 and the evolving requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022.

Our PD service is delivered by a specialist team made up of:

  • Construction Specialists – bringing practical knowledge of buildability, site safety, and risk mitigation.
  • Building Regulations Experts – ensuring compliance with fire safety, structural integrity, and regulatory frameworks, including for higher-risk buildings (HRBs).
  • CDM Specialists – focussed on integrating safety into the design from concept to completion, minimising risks at every stage.

About the Role

As a Principal Designer, you will be responsible for coordinating health and safety in the pre-construction phase, ensuring that design risk management is effectively integrated into project planning and delivery. You will also play a key role in aligning our CDM Principal Designer services with the requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022, including for higher-risk buildings (HRBs) and other complex projects.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing service within Vista Building Safety, working on a diverse portfolio of projects, including residential (public and private), HRBs, commercial, heritage, education, and more.

If you\’re passionate about improving safety in construction and want to play a vital role in shaping our Principal Designer service, we\’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

CDM 2015 Compliance & Risk Management

  • Support and lead the Principal Designer role under CDM 2015, ensuring legal compliance across all projects.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate health and safety risks during the design and pre-construction phase.
  • Work with clients, designers, and contractors to eliminate, reduce, or control risks throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Ensure that all designers fulfil their duties and consider health and safety at every stage.
  • Review and influence design decisions to prioritise safety and buildability.
  • Facilitate collaborative design risk reviews and ensure risks are effectively managed.
  • Communicate significant risks clearly to the client, project team, and contractors.

Pre-Construction Information & Health & Safety Files

  • Collate, review, and coordinate Pre-Construction Information (PCI) for projects.
  • Ensure that key health and safety considerations are recorded, maintained, and transferred to relevant parties.
  • Prepare and oversee the development of Health and Safety Files, ensuring they remain updated and compliant.

Client Advisory & Compliance Support

  • Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing expert CDM and risk management guidance.
  • Ensure that duty holders (Clients, Principal Contractors, Designers) understand and fulfil their legal responsibilities.
  • Support compliance strategies, including risk registers, competency checks, and design risk assessments.

Training, Development & Best Practice Implementation

  • Keep up to date with CDM regulations, HSE guidance, and industry best practices.
  • Contribute to the development of Vista Building Safety’s Principal Designer service, shaping best practices.
  • Deliver CDM training, briefings, and workshops for internal teams and external clients.

Requirements

  • Strong knowledge of the CDM 2015, Building Safety Act and related guidance and legislation.
  • Degree, HNC/HND, or equivalent in Construction, Architecture, Engineering, Building Surveying, or a related discipline.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients, contractors, and stakeholders.
  • Membership with a recognised professional body (e.g., IOSH, APS, RICS, CIOB, ICE, RIBA, IStructE, CIBSE).
  • NEBOSH Construction Certificate or higher (e.g., Diploma).
  • Ability to influence design teams and contractors to embed safety and compliance from the outset.
  • Strong risk assessment and hazard identification skills.
  • Understanding of fire safety regulations and building regulations in relation to design and construction risk management.
  • Experience working within the new regulatory framework for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Mid-Senior level

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Full-time

Job function

  • Job function

    Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

  • Industries

    Construction

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CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor employer: Vista Building Safety

Vista Building Safety is an exceptional employer that prioritises a collaborative and expert-led work culture, fostering an environment where health and safety compliance is at the forefront of every project. Employees benefit from continuous professional development opportunities, including training in the latest CDM regulations and best practices, while working on a diverse portfolio of projects in a vibrant location. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the construction industry and advance your career in a supportive and innovative team.
Vista Building Safety

Contact Detail:

Vista Building Safety Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor

Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the construction and building safety sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with people who might have insights into the role of a CDM Principal Designer. Building relationships can often lead to job opportunities.

Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with the latest updates on the Building Safety Act 2022 and CDM 2015 regulations. Being well-versed in these areas will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to safety and compliance during interviews.

Tip Number 3

Consider reaching out directly to current employees at Vista Building Safety via LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any advice they might have for someone looking to join as a CDM Principal Designer. This can give you valuable insights and potentially a referral.

Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've successfully managed health and safety risks. Be ready to share examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to influence design teams, as these are crucial for the role.

We think you need these skills to ace CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor

Strong knowledge of CDM 2015
Understanding of the Building Safety Act 2022
Risk assessment and hazard identification skills
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to influence design teams and contractors
Experience with Pre-Construction Information (PCI)
Knowledge of fire safety regulations
Building regulations compliance
Membership with a recognised professional body (e.g., IOSH, APS, RICS)
NEBOSH Construction Certificate or higher
Collaboration and teamwork skills
Training and development capabilities
Attention to detail
Project management skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a CDM Principal Designer. Familiarise yourself with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and the Building Safety Act 2022 to demonstrate your knowledge in your application.

Tailor Your CV: Highlight relevant experience in health and safety compliance, risk management, and project coordination. Use specific examples from your past roles that align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for improving safety in construction. Mention how your skills and experiences make you a perfect fit for the role at Vista Building Safety, and refer to specific projects or achievements that showcase your expertise.

Showcase Your Qualifications: Ensure you clearly list your qualifications, such as your degree or certifications like NEBOSH. If you are a member of any professional bodies, mention this as it adds credibility to your application.

How to prepare for a job interview at Vista Building Safety

Know Your CDM Regulations

Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Be prepared to discuss how these regulations apply to your previous projects and how you can ensure compliance in your role as a Principal Designer.

Showcase Your Risk Management Skills

Be ready to provide examples of how you've identified, assessed, and mitigated health and safety risks in past projects. Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with clients and contractors to manage risks effectively throughout the project lifecycle.

Demonstrate Communication Skills

Effective communication is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you’ve communicated significant risks to clients and project teams in the past. Consider sharing specific instances where your communication made a positive impact on project outcomes.

Stay Updated on Industry Best Practices

Show your commitment to continuous learning by discussing recent changes in CDM regulations or the Building Safety Act 2022. Mention any training or workshops you've attended that relate to best practices in health and safety within construction.

CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor
Vista Building Safety
Location: London
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