CDM Principal Designer Lead

Laing O'Rourke; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking a CDM Principal Designer Lead to ensure safety is embedded in design processes for their MoJ Prisons portfolio. The role involves significant design leadership, collaboration with various teams, and engagement with external partners. Applicants should have a strong background in complex infrastructure projects and be accredited in relevant training to support innovative design solutions. This is an opportunity to make a substantial impact on national prison projects while based in Manchester.

Benefits

Flexible site engagement

Qualifications

• 10+ years in design management on complex infrastructure projects.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• IOSH certified.

Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment of CDM Principal Designer strategies.
• Collaborate closely with Design Management and Technical Delivery teams.
• Engage with design partners to drive innovation and compliance.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Chartered Architect or Engineer

Accredited in PD training (CITB, CIOB, ICE)

Job description

We're Hiring: CDM Principal Designer Lead
Manchester-Based | MoJ Prisons Portfolio | Senior Design Leadership

Do you believe great design starts with safety?
Are you passionate about embedding health and wellbeing into every decision made during the design process?
Ready to lead on some of the UK's most secure and complex infrastructure programmes?

Then this could be the opportunity for you.

Why this role matters:
At Laing O'Rourke, we're proud to be delivering a significant pipeline of prison projects as part of our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Justice. As CDM Principal Designer Lead, you'll play a critical role in ensuring that safety is embedded from day one – across design, delivery and beyond.

What you'll do:
Lead the deployment of CDM Principal Designer strategies across our MoJ Prisons portfolio
Operate as the Designated Individual in line with HSE CDM 2015 regulations
Collaborate closely with Design Management, Engineered Safety, and Technical Delivery teams
Build internal and external capability to support safety in design across all project phases
Engage with design partners and supply chain to drive innovation and compliance

What we're looking for:
Based in or able to commute to our Manchester office
Chartered Architect or Engineer with significant CDM Principal Designer experience
10+ years in design management on complex infrastructure projects
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Accredited in PD training (e.g., CITB, CIOB, ICE) and IOSH certified

What's in it for you?
️ Be at the heart of a critical national programme of works with the Ministry of Justice
Play a leadership role in embedding safety across high-impact projects
Join a technical function committed to innovation, collaboration, and excellence
Enjoy a Manchester base with flexible site engagement across the portfolio

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences. We're committed to building a team that reflects the diverse society we serve and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Apply now and help shape safer spaces that serve communities for generations to come.

#LI-KW1