Senior Design Manager / Principal Designer – CDM

Senior Design Manager / Principal Designer – CDM (Birmingham) Location: Birmingham (Hybrid working available) Contract Type: Full-time, hybrid contract Duration: 25 January 2026 – 24 July 2026 IR35 Status: Inside IR35 Rate: Negotiable based on experience MRR Infrastructure is recruiting on behalf of a leading consultancy recognised for delivering large-scale infrastructure projects across the UK transmission and distribution industry. The business provides innovative solutions in engineering, safety and project delivery, and is actively strengthening its CDM and Principal Designer capabilities. We are seeking a Senior Design Manager / Principal Designer (CDM) to join the team in Birmingham. This role will lead on health and safety design compliance, ensuring adherence to the CDM 2015 Regulations across all pre-construction and construction phases of major energy infrastructure projects. You will work closely with internal engineering teams, principal contractors, and clients to deliver a professional and billable safety-in-design service. This is a key position suited to someone with proven experience leading on design risk management, compliance coordination and safety integration within complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Key Responsibilities Include: * Acting as Principal Designer under CDM 2015 for assigned projects * Leading health and safety planning, coordination and design-stage compliance * Managing risk through all stages of the project lifecycle * Conducting HazID reviews and ensuring risk mitigation actions are implemented * Supporting and advising designers, contractors, and client teams on their CDM duties * Ensuring documentation and records are maintained to demonstrate compliance * Supporting internal development of CDM procedures, templates, and tools * Providing training and guidance to internal design teams on safety-in-design best practices * Contributing to business development through delivery of professional, billable services Required Qualifications & Experience: * Relevant degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or similar * Professional Health & Safety qualification (NEBOSH Certificate/Diploma or equivalent) * In-depth knowledge of CDM 2015 and associated industry guidance * Proven experience as Principal Designer or CDM Lead within infrastructure or utilities * Strong understanding of design risk management principles and safety legislation * Stakeholder management skills and commercial awareness of billable services * Ability to manage multiple projects and coordinate across multi-disciplinary teams Desirable: * Chartered membership of IOSH, ICE, RICS, RIBA or similar * Experience in delivering training or mentoring in safety-in-design * Prior consultancy experience in a client-facing environment