Principal Designer

PRINCIPAL DESIGNER (PD)

Contract: Government

Location: Birmingham (B37 7ES)

Hours of work: 40 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced Principal Designer to lead the safe, compliant delivery of major projects from day one. This is a senior, high‑impact role with clear legal accountability and real influence over how complex programmes are shaped, governed, and delivered.

As the organisation’s trusted PD expert, you’ll own health and safety through pre‑construction—bringing together designers, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure projects are fully planned, legally sound, and ready to proceed. You’ll provide strategic leadership across large programmes, managing risk, setting direction, and ensuring delivery meets business objectives, budget, and quality expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, plan, manage, and coordinate all health and safety activities during the pre‑construction phase
• Compile, manage, and communicate pre‑construction information, ensuring timely and effective sharing with designers and contractors
• Identify, eliminate, or control health and safety risks through design and planning
• Provide leadership across large‑scale, multi‑disciplinary projects with multiple interdependent workstreams
• Act as the principal authority on compliance, ensuring adherence to all relevant legislation, regulations, and internal standards
• Define project scope, secure appropriate resources, and manage stakeholder expectations
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks that could affect programme delivery
• Deliver strategic oversight, governance, and accountability to ensure successful project outcomes

About You

You are a confident and credible Principal Designer with the experience and judgement to operate at scale and influence at senior levels. Essential experience and skills:

• Demonstrable experience as a Principal Designer, with competence aligned to PAS 8671
• A strong track record of delivering large, complex projects involving multiple teams and stakeholders
• Sound knowledge of construction processes, with the ability to interpret drawings and technical specifications
• Working knowledge of NEC4 contracts
• Proven experience managing budgets exceeding £1m
• In‑depth understanding of health and safety legislation and best practice
• FESS Certificate (essential)
• Level 3 qualification (desirable)
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills
• Proficiency in MS Project, Excel, and PowerPoint
• A full UK driving licence, with flexibility to travel as required

The Company

ISS is a global leader in workplace and facilities management, helping organisations create environments where people and businesses can thrive. We partner with clients across sectors—from healthcare to finance—to deliver smart, sustainable solutions that improve everyday experiences.

We’re proud to be an inclusive employer, committed to diversity, wellbeing, and supporting the Armed Forces community.

As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible. If you require any adjustments, please contact our Resourcing Team—we’ll be happy to support you.

Join ISS and be part of something bigger.