Principal Designer

Public Sector; Greater London; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Principal Designer to lead design risk management across a diverse capital and maintenance program. This critical role involves ensuring compliance with safety legislation and overseeing design teams. Candidates must have strong experience in construction risk management, and qualifications such as NEBOSH Construction are essential. The position offers a chance to shape a forward-looking safety culture in the community.

Qualifications

• Strong experience operating as a Principal Designer.
• Sound technical knowledge of construction and building safety legislation.
• Leadership in compliance across varied project portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Lead on design risk management within the Council’s Resident Safety function.
• Coordinate design teams and advise on compliance.
• Support policy development and contractor management.

Skills

Design risk management

Technical safety requirements

Compliance with CDM 2015

Client/contractor duties understanding

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.