Principal Consultant – Safety Advisory (Construction & Workplace Safety) - London and South East

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

We are seeking a Principal Consultant to lead the delivery of Safety Advisory services across both construction projects and operational environments. This role spans the full asset lifecycle – from design and construction (CDM / Principal Designer duties) through to occupied buildings (workplace safety, compliance and assurance). You will act as a trusted advisor to clients, leading delivery, influencing stakeholders and ensuring robust management of health and safety risk across both project and operational settings. This is a senior role requiring strong technical capability, leadership and the ability to operate across multiple service lines.

In a typical week, you may be involved in:

• Lead delivery of construction and workplace safety advisory services
• Ensure compliance with CDM 2015 and wider UK health & safety legislation
• Provide strategic and practical advice across both project and operational environments
• Manage client relationships and project delivery to achieve commercial and quality outcomes
• Drive consistency and improvement across safety advisory services

Key Responsibilities

Construction Safety (CDM / Project Lifecycle)

• Lead delivery of CDM Principal Designer duties across projects and programmes
• Take ownership of design risk management strategies, ensuring risks are eliminated or reduced through design
• Chair and lead design risk workshops, coordination meetings and project reviews
• Provide authoritative advice to clients on CDM duties and compliance
• Oversee production and quality of: Pre-Construction Information (PCI), Risk Registers / Hazard Logs, Health and Safety Files (HSF)
• Influence design and delivery teams to drive proportionate and effective risk management

Workplace & Operational Safety (Post-Occupancy)

• Lead delivery of health and safety advisory services across operational estates
• Provide strategic advice on H&S management systems, compliance and risk control
• Oversee and undertake audits, inspections and assurance activities
• Advise on risk assessments, safe systems of work and statutory compliance
• Support clients in managing FM providers, contractors and operational risks
• Drive improvements in safety culture and performance

Client Leadership & Project Delivery

• Act as a key client contact, building and maintaining strong relationships
• Lead delivery of projects in line with scope, programme and commercial expectations
• Support development of proposals, scopes and fee submissions
• Identify opportunities for repeat work and service growth
• Manage multiple projects and priorities across service lines

Assurance, Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Provide oversight and assurance across construction and operational safety activities
• Produce and review high-quality reports, audit findings and recommendations
• Support development of standards, tools and best practice
• Drive consistency in service delivery across projects and teams
• Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and capability development

Leadership & Influence

You will:

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and senior stakeholders
• Lead multidisciplinary engagement across design, construction and operational teams
• Provide technical leadership across construction and workplace safety
• Mentor and support junior and senior team members
• Influence behaviours to drive improved safety outcomes and compliance

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience in construction safety / CDM advisory, including leading PD roles
• Experience in workplace or operational health & safety (e.g. audits, compliance, FM environments)
• Strong knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and wider UK H&S legislation
• Ability to operate confidently across both project and operational environments
• Proven experience managing client relationships and project delivery
• Commercial awareness, including understanding of scope, fees and delivery performance
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Qualifications & Professional Memberships

• Degree or equivalent in construction, engineering, health & safety or related field (or HNC/HND with significant relevant experience)
• NEBOSH General or Construction Certificate (or equivalent)
• Membership of a relevant professional body (IOSH, APS or similar)
• Strong technical expertise across construction and workplace safety

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership. Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.