CDM Principal Designer Lead
🚧 We're Hiring: CDM Principal Designer Lead
📍 National role based from Manchester or Dartford | Multi-Sector Portfolio | Senior Design Leadership
Do you believe great design starts with safety?
Are you passionate about embedding health and wellbeing into every design decision?
Ready to lead the integration of safety across some of the UK's most complex infrastructure projects?
Then this could be the opportunity for you.
Why this role matters:
At Laing O'Rourke, we're delivering some of the UK's most ambitious and technically advanced projects – across sectors including healthcare, defence, life sciences, transport, energy, and major civils. As CDM Principal Designer Lead, you'll play a vital role in ensuring safety is a driving force behind every design decision – from early concept to final handover.
What you'll do:
🔹 Lead the implementation of CDM Principal Designer duties across a diverse portfolio of projects
🔹 Act as the Designated Individual in line with HSE CDM 2015 regulations
🔹 Collaborate with design, health and safety, and technical delivery teams to drive safe-by-design thinking
🔹 Build internal capability and champion safety-led design from preconstruction through to delivery
🔹 Engage with design partners and the wider supply chain to promote best practice and compliance
What we're looking for:
✅ Based in or able to travel regularly to our Manchester or Dartford office
✅ Chartered Architect with significant experience in a CDM Principal Designer role
✅ 10+ years working on complex infrastructure or major projects
✅ Strong communicator and influencer, able to lead across disciplines
✅ Accredited PD training (e.g. CITB, CIOB, ICE) and IOSH certified
What's in it for you?
🏗️ Influence the design of flagship infrastructure projects across the UK
🚀 Play a senior leadership role in a team driving innovation and excellence
🌱 Be part of a Technical Function committed to safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement
📍 Flexible working from Manchester or Dartford, with travel as needed across our projects
Inclusion matters:
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences. We're committed to building a diverse team that reflects the society we serve – and creating an environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.
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