Principal Designer - CDM United Kingdom

Baker Hicks Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Baker Hicks Limited is seeking a Senior Project Manager to act as Principal Designer Representative for National Grid projects, ensuring compliance with CDM Regulations 2015. The role encompasses risk management, stakeholder engagement, and leading design workshops. Candidates should have proven experience in relevant sectors, strong knowledge of CDM, and excellent communication skills. The position offers opportunities for professional development and a competitive salary within a diverse and inclusive work atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Principal Designer or CDM Advisor role.
• Strong working knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015.
• Experience across both FEED/design and construction phases.

Responsibilities

• Act as Principal Designer Representative per National Grid requirements.
• Advise clients on CDM compliance and documentation.
• Coordinate design risk management processes.

Skills

Principal Designer experience

Knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015

Experience in National Grid projects

Stakeholder engagement

Design risk management

Organisational skills

Education

Relevant degree in engineering or construction

Job description

At BakerHicks, we’ve grown rapidly in the Transmission & Distribution sector over the last 12 years, delivering projects that make a real difference to communities across the UK. As our portfolio expands, we’re excited to welcome Senior Project Managers who share our passion for collaboration, innovation, and creating a sustainable future.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and proactive SR188 Principal Designer Representative (PDR) to support the delivery of a diverse portfolio of National Grid projects across both Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and construction stages.

Acting on behalf of the Principal Designer under National Grid’s SR188 framework, you will play a key role in ensuring compliance with CDM Regulations 2015, driving high standards of health, safety, and risk management throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the Principal Designer Representative (PDR) in accordance with National Grid’s SR188 requirements.
• Support and advise clients, designers, and project teams on CDM compliance, including roles, duties, and documentation.
• Coordinate and manage design risk management processes, ensuring hazards are identified, eliminated, or reduced through design.
• Facilitate and lead design risk workshops, HAZID/HAZOP sessions, and design reviews.
• Ensure production and maintenance of key CDM deliverables, including: Pre-Construction Information (PCI) and Health and Safety Files.
• Provide CDM and safety input, influencing safe-by-design principles early in the project lifecycle.
• Support project teams through the design and construction phase, ensuring effective communication of residual risks to contractors.
• Engage with stakeholders including National Grid, contractors, and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Monitor and report on CDM compliance and performance, identifying areas for improvement.
• Promote a strong health, safety, and wellbeing culture across all projects.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a Principal Designer or CDM Advisor role, ideally within the utilities or infrastructure sectors.
• Strong working knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and their practical application.
• Experience working on National Grid projects and familiarity with SR188 requirements is highly desirable.
• Demonstrable experience across both FEED/design and construction phases.
• Ability to lead design risk management activities and influence multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent in engineering, construction, or a related discipline.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong leadership and facilitation skills.
• High attention to detail with a commitment to safety excellence.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on critical national infrastructure projects.
• Exposure to a broad range of FEED and construction stage activities.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to security clearance. The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain security clearance for this role as required by our clients and sectors.

Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

BakerHicks is an equal opportunity employer. We care about creating an inclusive atmosphere and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout.