The Opportunity
We are supporting an established architectural practice in the appointment of a Principal Designer Lead — Head of Service Designate.
This is a genuine succession opportunity for an experienced Principal Designer who is ready to progress into a senior service leadership role.
You will initially work alongside the Partner currently leading the Principal Designer service, with a structured handover of technical, client, team and commercial responsibilities. Over time, you will progressively take ownership of the service, with the long-term intention of becoming Head of Principal Designer Services.
The role is approximately 90% Principal Designer delivery and business development, with 10% focused on internal technical guidance, mentoring and knowledge sharing.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver Building Regulations Principal Designer commissions across a range of projects.
- Deliver or oversee CDM Principal Designer services, understanding the distinct duties of each regime.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams and review design information, identifying compliance, coordination and design-risk issues.
- Work closely with clients, designers, contractors, consultants and building control bodies.
- Support higher-risk building projects and Building Safety Regulator requirements where within your competence.
- Manage project scope, resources, fees, risks and delivery.
- Provide technical oversight, mentoring and development to the Principal Designer team.
- Develop consistent procedures, quality assurance and technical standards.
- Build strong client relationships and support business development, bids and new commissions.
- Progressively take responsibility for team leadership, client management and the commercial performance of the service.
About You
We are looking for an experienced Principal Designer or senior technical professional with:
- A relevant professional qualification in architecture, architectural technology, building surveying, building control or a related discipline.
- Significant experience in design and construction delivery.
- Demonstrable experience delivering Building Regulations Principal Designer services.
- Practical experience with CDM Principal Designer duties.
- Strong knowledge of the Building Regulations, Building Safety Act framework and CDM Regulations.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and reviewing technical information.
- Strong client-facing, communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience leading projects, mentoring colleagues and managing resources.
- Experience with scopes, fees and commercial/project performance.
- Sound professional judgement and an understanding of when specialist advice or escalation is required.
- The ambition to progress into a wider service leadership position.
Desirable: Experience with higher-risk buildings, BSR/Gateway processes, golden thread information, Principal Designer competence assessment, Design & Build, BIM or working within an architectural practice.
Progression
This role offers a clear succession pathway:
Principal Designer delivery → Team leadership → Client & commercial responsibility → Head of Principal Designer Services
Progression will be supported by an agreed development and handover plan, with formal reviews every six months. Salary will be reviewed as responsibilities increase and on appointment to the full Head of Service role.
If you are an experienced Principal Designer looking for the opportunity to combine technical leadership, client management, business development and genuine career progression, we'd be very interested in hearing from you.
