Building Regulations Principal Designer

Brandon James; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £60k–£70k (GBP)

Profit-related annual bonus

25 days' holiday

Hybrid working

Job summary

Brandon James in Manchester is seeking an experienced Building Regulations Principal Designer to lead on higher-risk projects, Gateway submissions, and the development of a defined Principal Designer service.

You will coordinate Building Regulations compliance from early design through regulatory approval, oversee documents, and advise clients and teams, with a hybrid working pattern and a focus on service growth.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience of higher-risk buildings.
• Practical involvement in Gateway submissions.
• Detailed understanding of the Building Safety Act.
• Experience fulfilling Building Regulations Principal Designer duties.
• Background in architecture, surveying, building control or building compliance.
• Ability to communicate compliance requirements clearly.
• Interest in developing services and supporting business growth.

Responsibilities

• Taking the lead on HRB projects.
• Delivering the Building Regulations Principal Designer function.
• Leading on Gateway 2 compliance.
• Coordinating evidence for Building Safety Regulator submissions.
• Establishing clear compliance strategies for each project.
• Reviewing architectural and consultant design information.
• Tracking Building Regulations risks and outstanding actions.
• Overseeing golden thread records.
• Managing change control throughout project delivery.
• Advising clients, designers and contractors on dutyholder obligations.
• Chairing or contributing to compliance reviews.
• Supporting internal quality assurance improvements.
• Creating and updating compliance templates and guidance.
• Assisting with tenders, frameworks and new client opportunities.
• Providing guidance to architects and technical professionals.

Skills

Higher-risk buildings

Gateway submissions

Building Regulations

Communication of compliance

Job description

Building Regulations Principal Designer

An experienced Building Regulations Principal Designer is required by a successful architectural practice with an established Manchester presence.

The role has been created to strengthen the practice's capability across higher-risk buildings and provide specialist leadership on Gateway applications. You will take ownership of complex compliance work while helping develop a more defined Principal Designer service across the wider business.

Your Responsibilities

You will be involved from the early design stages through to regulatory approval and completion, ensuring that Building Regulations requirements are properly coordinated, evidenced and maintained.

• Taking the lead on HRB projects
• Delivering the Building Regulations Principal Designer function
• Leading on Gateway 2 compliance
• Coordinating evidence for Building Safety Regulator submissions
• Establishing clear compliance strategies for each project
• Reviewing architectural and consultant design information
• Tracking Building Regulations risks and outstanding actions
• Overseeing golden thread records
• Managing change control throughout project delivery
• Advising clients, designers and contractors on dutyholder obligations
• Chairing or contributing to compliance reviews
• Supporting internal quality assurance improvements
• Creating and updating compliance templates and guidance
• Assisting with tenders, frameworks and new client opportunities
• Providing guidance to architects and technical professionals

The workload includes residential, healthcare, occupied refurbishment, façade remediation and other technically complex schemes.

About You

• Substantial experience of higher-risk buildings
• Practical involvement in Gateway submissions
• A detailed understanding of the Building Safety Act
• Experience fulfilling Building Regulations Principal Designer duties
• A background in architecture, surveying, building control or building compliance
• Confidence dealing with clients and senior project stakeholders
• Strong design coordination and technical review skills
• The ability to communicate compliance requirements clearly
• An interest in developing services and supporting business growth

Benefits

• Salary in the region of £60,000 - £70,000
• Negotiable package based on experience
• Profit-related annual bonus
• 25 days' holiday
• Christmas office closure
• Hybrid working, with regular studio attendance
• Employee wellbeing programme
• Optical and physiotherapy contributions
• Mental health support
• Access to GP services
• Scope to influence the growth of the Principal Designer service

This position would suit a Building Regulations Principal Designer who enjoys combining hands-on project work with process improvement, client advice and service development.