Principal Designer

London Borough of Hackney; England; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking an experienced Principal Designer to lead design risk management for various capital and maintenance projects. The successful candidate will ensure that all safety works comply with health and safety legislation and construction standards. They will oversee design teams, support policy development, and contribute to improving internal safety systems. This role offers an opportunity to play a key part in shaping a high-performing safety culture within the council.

Qualifications

• Strong experience as a Principal Designer managing varied projects.
• Sound technical knowledge of design risk management.
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee design risk management for capital and maintenance projects.
• Coordinate design teams and ensure compliance with safety works.
• Support policy development and drive professional practice.

Skills

Design risk management

Construction legislation compliance

Technical safety requirements

Policy development

Education

NEBOSH Construction

Professional membership (IOSH, APS, ICE, CIOB, RICS, CABE)

Job description

Principal Designer – Hackney Council

Grade : £63,816 - £69,836

Recruiting in partnership with Goodman Masson

Goodman Masson is supporting Hackney Council in recruiting a Principal Designer to lead on design risk management across a broad and varied capital and maintenance programme. This is a key role within the Council’s Resident Safety function, ensuring all construction, refurbishment, and safety works comply fully with CDM 2015, the Building Safety Act, and wider health and safety legislation.

As Principal Designer, you will act as the Council’s competent expert on design risk, overseeing technical safety requirements from early concept through to project completion. You will coordinate design teams, advise on duties and compliance, and ensure risks are identified, eliminated or controlled through robust design review processes. Working closely with project managers, engineers, Fire Safety, M&E, and external consultants, you will support safe delivery and ensure all pre-construction information, safety documentation, and Health & Safety Files meet statutory standards.

You will also contribute to improving Hackney’s internal systems—supporting policy development, contractor management, governance reporting, and continuous improvement across safety, quality, and compliance. This role includes oversight and guidance for CDM Advisors within the team, setting clear expectations and driving good professional practice across the service.

We are seeking a candidate with strong experience operating as a Principal Designer and leading compliance across a varied project portfolio. You will bring sound technical knowledge of construction, building safety legislation, design risk management, and the duties of clients, contractors and designers. Qualifications such as NEBOSH Construction, APS / BOHS certification, or professional membership (IOSH, APS, ICE, CIOB, RICS, CABE) are essential or achievable with support.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in Hackney’s resident safety programme and help shape a high-performing, forward-looking safety culture.

If you are confident managing risk, experienced in design governance, and committed to delivering safe, compliant and well-designed projects, we encourage you to apply.