CDM Consultant / Principal Designer

RGB; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

25 days’ holiday

Job summary

RGB in Cardiff is recruiting a permanent CDM Consultant / Principal Designer to lead the department and act as Principal Designer across a diverse portfolio of construction and engineering projects.

The role offers hybrid working and a clear opportunity to influence how the CDM service develops, share expertise, and contribute visibly to the business. You will work closely with clients, designers and project teams to embed health and safety into pre-construction and drive risk management forward.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in CDM / Principal Designer roles.
• Strong working knowledge of the CDM Regulations 2015.
• Experience coordinating design risk management across construction or engineering projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive approach to health, safety and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Acting as Principal Designer across a varied portfolio of construction and engineering projects.
• Advising clients, designers and project teams on their CDM duties and responsibilities.
• Planning, coordinating and managing health and safety throughout the pre-construction phase.
• Reviewing designs and challenging design teams to eliminate, reduce and manage foreseeable risks.
• Preparing and maintaining Pre-Construction Information and Health and Safety Files.
• Undertaking design risk reviews and facilitating risk management workshops.
• Attending design and project meetings, providing clear and practical CDM advice.
• Building strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers and contractors.
• Supporting and mentoring colleagues while helping to develop the wider CDM and Principal Designer service.

Skills

CDM Regulations knowledge

Principal Designer experience

Design risk management

Stakeholder management

Job description

This permanent CDM Consultant / Principal Designer position in Cardiff offers £60,000–£65,000 plus hybrid working and 25 days’ holiday. Joining an independent civil and structural engineering consultancy, the successful candidate will be the most senior figure in its CDM department, acting as Principal Designer across a varied portfolio of construction and engineering projects. The post carries genuine influence over how the service develops, with scope to share expertise and contribute visibly to the business. Applicants should hold strong knowledge of CDM regulations and design risk management, backed by experience delivering Principal Designer duties. Practical, cost-effective engineering and close client collaboration underpin the consultancy’s approach. Take the Lead with an Independent Engineering Consultancy Help shape safer projects, and the direction of a department.

We’re recruiting on behalf of an independent engineering consultancy for an experienced CDM professional to join as the most senior person in its CDM department. Alongside acting as Principal Designer across a varied portfolio of construction and engineering projects, you’ll have the opportunity to influence how the service develops, share your expertise and make a visible contribution to the business.

Our client is an independent civil and structural engineering consultancy offering CDM support and Principal Designer services. Its approach combines practical, cost-effective engineering with close collaboration and long-term client relationships. You’ll work across a varied portfolio of construction and engineering projects, with an emphasis on projects that are safe to construct, occupy and manage.

The Role

As the department’s lead CDM professional, you’ll combine hands‑on project delivery with the opportunity to shape its technical approach and future development. You’ll work closely with clients, designers and project teams to embed health and safety into the pre‑construction process, support colleagues and help develop the wider CDM offering.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Acting as Principal Designer across a varied portfolio of construction and engineering projects.
• Advising clients, designers and project teams on their CDM duties and responsibilities.
• Planning, managing and coordinating health and safety throughout the pre‑construction phase.
• Reviewing designs and challenging design teams to eliminate, reduce and manage foreseeable risks.
• Preparing and maintaining Pre-Construction Information and Health and Safety Files.
• Undertaking design risk reviews and facilitating risk management workshops.
• Attending design and project meetings, providing clear and practical CDM advice.
• Building strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers and contractors.
• Supporting and mentoring colleagues, while helping to develop the wider CDM and Principal Designer service offering.
• Contributing to business development, client proposals and presentations.

The Candidate You’ll bring

You’ll bring a practical, collaborative approach and the confidence to influence decisions throughout the design process.

We’re looking for

• Proven experience in a CDM / Principal Designer position.
• A strong working knowledge of the CDM Regulations 2015.
• Experience coordinating design risk management across construction or engineering projects.
• The confidence to challenge design teams and provide practical, commercially aware advice.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive approach to health, safety and continuous improvement.

This is an opportunity to put your experience to work beyond individual projects. You’ll be well placed to influence the department’s direction, champion practical standards and help shape the service as it develops.

Appeal

• Influence over the service: Help shape the department’s approach to design risk management, working practices and service development.
• A platform for your expertise: Bring your professional judgement to complex project discussions and help establish a consistent technical approach.
• The opportunity to develop others: Share your knowledge, mentor colleagues and help build capability across the consultancy.
• Visible impact: See the contribution of your work through client relation