Principal Designer

Winchester, England, United Kingdom

9/5/2024

Department: Architectural Support

Location: Winchester, Hampshire

Description

The role would suit a Building Control professional, Approved Inspector, Design Manager or Architect with several years of experience in the compliance and Health and Safety sector. The work will involve taking the lead in planning, managing and monitoring design work, advising our architectural teams on compliance matters to ensure that the design complies with the Building Regulations and developing our ability to effectively provide this service to our clients. The role will initially encompass the management of Principal Designer duties under the Building Safety Act but would ideally develop to enable us to also act as Principal Designer (CDM). Our works covers various sectors but is mainly focussed on prime residential projects and works to heritage assets.

We will consider people who have not registered with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as the majority of our work is within the non-HRB sector.

The role will be based at our Winchester studio, but with the option of working from our London studio once a week to maintain an understanding and awareness across the whole company.

Key Competencies, Skills & Requirements

• Previous experience in the construction industry, ideally in a compliance or health and safety role.
• Excellent knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2022.
• In-depth understanding of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and foster strong relationships with design directors, the senior leadership team and the architectural delivery teams.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to prioritise and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
  
  

Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities

Strategic Planning & Analysis

• Develop strategic plans and initiatives to ensure compliance with all statutory requirements, deliver excellent client focussed service and provide input on design guidance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align strategies and ensure effective execution of initiatives.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and monitor the progress of strategic initiatives, making necessary adjustments as needed.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices to provide insights and recommendations to senior leadership and projects leads.
• Achievement of key performance indicators and targets related to quality and risk management.
• Prepare and present reports, presentations, and recommendations to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and support to team members in implementing strategic plans and achieving their respective goals.
• Plan, manage and monitor during the design phase to make sure that the final designs comply with Building Regulations.
• Provide aid in delivering project information to designers and in assessing the competence of all other Duty holders, including designers and the Principal Contractor.
• Undertake critical analysis and provide creative solutions to overcome barriers, or potential design barriers, to achieve a successful outcome for our clients.
• Strategically consider how to develop sustainability practices and provide support to the senior management team and Executive Board in these endeavours.
  
  

Client Interface

• Ensure clients are involved and informed, and their instructions regarded, as projects are progressed from proposal to job completion.
• Support clients in completing Duty Holder Notifications and Compliance Declarations.
• Set the standard as the first point of contact for clients ensuring communications - verbal and written - are professional, efficient, effective, helpful, and appropriate.
• Draft and review submissions and client communications.
  
  

Communication & Collaboration

• Attend construction project design reviews and design team meetings
• Excel in communication skills to both support colleagues and represent ADAM externally.
• Create and maintain good working relationships with all external teams working on projects.
• Liaise with clients, contractors, Building Surveyors, architects and others to fulfil duties under the Building Safety Act 2022 and CDM Regulations.
• Keep project managers fully informed of designated task progress and ensure copies of all relevant correspondence are maintained.
• Communicate with the Principal Contractor, sharing relevant information and considering their input on compliance with Building Regulations.
• Coordinate training and mentorship on building regulations to all levels of staff, identifying additional training requirements as necessary.
• Support team members by providing advice on building regulations and contributing to the preparation of documents in support of if required.
• Encourage cooperation, communication and coordination among the design team, the client, the Principal Contractor and other designers.
• Lead by example.
  
  

Organisation Management

• Effective time management, prioritisation of work and recording of time in line with job estimates for yourself and the wider team. Ensure whilst all work is completed efficiently it also meets or exceeds the required standard and quality.
• Support the Finance Manager with timely and accurate client invoicing.
• Assist in the development of adequate and suitable management arrangements for projects.
• Establish and implement procedures for collating and storing Health and Safety Information; a programme and procedure for reporting, management of changes and design co-ordination in relation to health and safety matters.
• Assist with the preparation of health and safety/CDM documentation for contractors, clients and others - such as Health and Safety Files throughout the project.
• Ensure all designers fulfil their duties under the BSA.
  
  

Qualifications

• Degree in Architecture, Building Surveying, Construction Management or similar.
• Membership to RICS, CABE, RIBA, CIAT, BSCF or CIOB