CDM Principal Designer

Childerstone Project Management; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Childerstone Project Management in Leeds is seeking a CDM Principal Designer for a full-time, on-site role. You will lead the design risk management process under CDM regulations and coordinate with clients, designers and contractors to identify and mitigate health and safety risks through pre-construction and construction.

The role includes reviewing design documentation, maintaining pre-construction information, ensuring duty holders understand their responsibilities, chairing risk workshops,

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 and health and safety legislation.
• Experience as Principal Designer, CDM Coordinator, or similar.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams and run risk workshops.
• Able to review drawings and technical docs to identify risks.
• Professional qualification (degree, NEBOSH, APS or similar).
• Strong organizational skills and accurate records.
• Experience in boutique/consultancy environments advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead design risk management under CDM regulations.
• Coordinate with clients, designers and contractors to manage risks.
• Review and contribute to design documentation and pre-construction information.
• Chair design risk workshops and document decisions and actions.
• Support continuous improvement of CDM processes.
• Ensure duty holders understand their responsibilities.

Skills

CDM 2015

Health & Safety

Design risk management

Stakeholder coordination

Multidisciplinary leadership

Documentation review

Education

Relevant construction/engineering/architecture qualification

Job description

Company Description

Childerstone Project Management is a boutique consultancy founded in 2022, specializing in delivering projects that align closely with each client’s strategic vision. The company focuses on understanding client drivers and objectives in depth, ensuring that every project decision supports long-term value. With a strong emphasis on meticulous project delivery, Childerstone combines strategic insight with practical execution. The team prioritizes collaboration, clear communication, and continual value creation throughout the project lifecycle.

Role Description

The CDM Principal Designer is a full-time, on-site role based in Leeds, responsible for leading the design risk management process under CDM regulations. Day-to-day tasks include coordinating with clients, designers, and contractors to identify, manage, and mitigate health and safety risks throughout the pre-construction and construction phases. The role involves reviewing and contributing to design documentation, preparing and maintaining the pre-construction information, and ensuring that all duty holders understand and fulfill their responsibilities. The Principal Designer will chair design risk workshops, provide clear guidance on compliance, and record decisions and actions in a structured manner. This position also supports continuous improvement of CDM processes within the consultancy and contributes to high-quality project outcomes that reflect client objectives.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 (or relevant CDM regulations), health and safety legislation, and design risk management processes.


• Proven experience in a Principal Designer, CDM Coordinator, or similar role within construction, engineering, or architectural environments.


• Ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams, facilitate risk workshops, and coordinate stakeholders with clear, structured communication.


• Competence in reviewing and interpreting drawings, specifications, and technical documentation to identify and manage design risks.


• Relevant professional qualification in construction, engineering, architecture, project management, or health and safety (e.g., degree, NEBOSH, APS or similar membership).


• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to maintain accurate records and reports across multiple projects.


• Experience in boutique or consultancy environments and an interest in strategic project delivery and value creation are beneficial.