Principal Co-Ordinator

Daniel Owen Ltd; Braintree; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A construction industry leader is seeking an experienced Principal Co-ordinator in Braintree to oversee high-quality design and technical information delivery. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years' experience in contracting, excellent communication skills, and a recognized building qualification. Responsibilities include managing design processes, leading tender meetings, and ensuring timely approvals. The role offers competitive salary and growth opportunities within a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' contracting experience within technical, design, or pre-construction roles.
• Understanding of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) process.

Responsibilities

• Manage the design development process, ensuring technical robustness.
• Lead tender launch meetings, aligning information with Employer's Requirements.
• Develop and maintain detailed design programmes for timely information flow.
• Transform technical data into usable outputs supporting project objectives.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Commercial acumen and understanding of cost management principles

Ability to manage, train, and mentor junior staff

Education

Recognised building or construction qualification

Job description

Principal Co-ordinator

Location: Essex
Industry: Building and Construction
Salary: Competitive, based on experience

Our client is seeking an experienced Principal Co-ordinator to lead the delivery of high‑quality design and technical information across a range of partnership‑led construction projects.

Pre‑Construction & Design Management

• Manage the design development process, ensuring value engineering, cost control, buildability, and technical robustness at all stages.
• Lead tender launch meetings, ensuring all information issued to estimators aligns with Employer's Requirements and mitigates project risk.
• Appoint, brief, and manage design consultants through detailed scopes of service tailored to project needs.
• Coordinate the creation of contractor proposals and support the technical elements of tender submissions.

Programme, Approvals & Compliance

• Develop and maintain detailed design programmes that ensure timely and accurate information flow aligned with budget constraints.
• Obtain competitive quotations from consultants, survey companies, Local Authorities, and statutory bodies to support accurate fee forecasting and best value.
• Secure early approvals for planning conditions, achieve unconditional Building Regulations approval (Local Authority / Building Safety Regulator), and obtain all other required statutory consents.
• Obtain technical approval for any Sectional Agreement works.

Coordination, Communication & Project Support

• Transform technical data and preliminary information into coordinated, usable outputs that support programme and commercial objectives.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders, including regular time on site to understand project complexities.
• Support project close‑out through the preparation and coordination of 'as-built' documentation and related evidence.
• Hold monthly one‑to‑one meetings with junior staff, providing formal updates to the Regional Technical Manager.

Person Specification for the Principal Co‑ordinator role

Essential

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commercial acumen and understanding of cost management principles.
• Recognised building or construction qualification.
• Minimum 10 years' contracting experience within technical, design, or pre‑construction roles.
• Ability to manage, train, and mentor junior staff.
• Understanding of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) process.

Desirable

• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Knowledge of Housing Authority (HA) guidelines.
• Professional membership or relevant chartership.
• Experience in tendering and bid support.