Principal Co-Ordinator

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

Job summary

A leading construction consultancy in Essex is looking for a Principal Co-ordinator to oversee high-quality design and technical delivery across various projects. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of contracting experience in technical and design roles, possess strong communication skills, and be able to mentor junior staff. This role involves managing the design process, coordinating tender submissions, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Competitive salary based on experience is offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' contracting experience within technical, design, or pre-construction roles.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of high-quality design and technical information on construction projects.
• Manage the design development process ensuring value and cost control.
• Develop and maintain design programmes to ensure timely information flow.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Commercial acumen and understanding of cost management principles

Ability to manage, train, and mentor junior staff

Understanding of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) process

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, useable 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.