CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor

Vista Building Safety; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Vista Building Safety is seeking a CDM Principal Designer to ensure health and safety compliance under CDM 2015 and support clients managing risks in various projects. The role involves coordinating risk management throughout design phases and advising clients on compliance strategies. A strong knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2022 and relevant construction qualifications is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the CDM 2015, Building Safety Act and related guidance.
• Ability to influence design teams and contractors to embed safety.
• Experience working within the new regulatory framework for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs).

Responsibilities

• Ensure legal compliance under CDM 2015 across all projects.
• Support risk management during the design and pre-construction phase.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients on CDM and risk management guidance.

Skills

Risk assessment

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in Construction, Architecture, Engineering, Building Surveying

NEBOSH Construction Certificate or higher

Job description

CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor

CDM Principal Designer / Building Safety Advisor

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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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