Principal Consultant - CDM & Construction Safety (London and South East)

Position

Principal Consultant – Lead delivery of CDM and construction safety services across complex and high‑value projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of CDM Principal Designer duties across multiple projects.
• Take ownership of design risk management strategy, ensuring risks are identified, challenged and reduced through design.
• Chair and lead design risk workshops, coordination meetings, and project reviews.
• Provide clear, authoritative advice to clients on statutory duties under CDM and the Building Safety Act.
• Oversee and assure quality of key CDM deliverables:
• Pre‑Construction Information (PCI)
• Design Risk Registers / Hazard Logs
• Health and Safety Files (HSF)

Act as Principal Designer under the Building Safety Act where required.

Influence design teams to drive practical and proportionate risk reduction.

Manage project delivery in line with agreed scope, programme and commercial expectations.

Support preparation of proposals, scopes and fee submissions.

Contribute to development of internal standards, tools and best practice.

Leading CDM / PD delivery on projects or programmes.

Acting as a key point of contact for clients, building and maintaining trusted relationships.

Providing technical oversight and quality assurance across project outputs.

Supporting and mentoring junior and senior consultants.

Driving consistency and improvement in how services are delivered.

Identifying opportunities for repeat work and service expansion.

Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive experience in a CDM / construction safety role, including leading PD appointments.
• Strong, demonstrable knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and their practical application.
• Experience undertaking or leading Principal Designer duties under the Building Safety Act.
• Strong understanding of design processes and RIBA stages, with the ability to influence design development.
• Proven ability to lead risk management discussions and challenge design decisions effectively.
• Experience managing multiple projects, priorities and client relationships.
• Commercial awareness, including understanding of scope, fees and delivery expectations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Degree or equivalent in construction, engineering, health & safety or related field (or HNC/HND with significant relevant experience).
• NEBOSH Construction Certificate (or equivalent) expected.
• Chartered or working towards Chartered membership of IOSH, APS or IIRSM.

Benefits

• Work‑life balance – hybrid working policy: work from home up to two days a week.
• Health & Wellbeing – Thrive programme, virtual GP, gymflex scheme, menopause support, and reasonable workplace adjustments.
• Flex your time – “WSP My Hour,” part‑time and flexible working arrangements, additional leave, and bank holiday entitlement.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

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