Principal Designer & CDM Advisor

(Based in either Birmingham or Bristol)

Are you passionate about health and safety in construction? Wakemans, a thriving multi-disciplinary consultancy, is expanding our successful Health & Safety department. We’re looking for an experienced Principal Designer and CDM Advisor to provide expert construction health and safety guidance, CDM advice, and take on the Principal Designer role.

You’ll work across diverse sectors, including commercial, education, civil, housing, leisure, and logistics, managing exciting projects that make a real impact.

We’re seeking a driven professional who thrives on learning and personal growth, excels both independently and in a team, and can confidently manage projects, deadlines, and priorities.

At Wakemans, you’ll find opportunities for development, collaboration with a skilled team, and an environment where your expertise is valued.

Requirements

•  A confident individual who understands their abilities and limitations.
•  A detail-oriented and well-organised thinker with strong self-motivation, capable of working independently under broad direction.
•  A team player with the ability to manage individuals and collaborate effectively with colleagues.
•  Strong commercial acumen.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•  Effective time management and the ability to plan and organise workload to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
•  Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite for generating reports and documents.
•  Comprehensive understanding of CDM 2015 regulations and health and safety standards.
•  Proven experience as a CDM 2015 Principal Designer.
•  Construction site health and safety experience is essential; experience across diverse industry sectors is desirable.

Experience

•  Proven experience as a Principal Designer, including delivering both Principal Designer and Client CDM Advisor roles.
•  A NEBOSH General/Construction Certificate or Diploma, along with relevant professional memberships in health and safety.
•  Strong track record of building and maintaining relationships with project team members, as well as identifying and developing opportunities with both existing and new clients.
•  Demonstrated expertise in developing and improving management systems.
•  Extensive experience managing CDM projects, with the ability to oversee and drive them to successful completion.
•  Comprehensive understanding of health and safety within the construction industry, supported by on-site experience.

Roles / Responsibilities

•  Effectively communicate with contractors, designers, and clients through Design Team Meetings and Risk Workshops.
•  Review and monitor designers’ compliance with CDM 2015 regulations.
• Plan, coordinate, and manage the pre-construction phase of projects to ensure all CDM requirements are met.
• Provide relevant information to contractors, enabling them to manage health and safety effectively throughout the construction phase.
• Ensure consistent implementation of the company’s CDM policies and procedures.
• Conduct interim health and safety inspections and review on-site records to ensure compliance.
• Evaluate contractors’ Construction Phase Health & Safety Plans for adequacy and compliance.
• Prepare, review, and deliver the Health & Safety File to the client at project completion.

Candidates should hold a full driving licence and have access to their own vehicle and a willingness to travel for work.

Wakemans offer an individually focused and competitive package for the right candidate DOE; inclusive of Pension, Car allowance, 25 days holiday, Healthcare (after successful completion of probation period) Life Insurance and paid professional subscriptions.

Building Surveyor

An opportunity to join a recognised and well-respected consultancy who offer the full range of Building Surveying services. Wakemans are looking to recruit an assistant building surveyor to join an existing team which is currently experiencing a period of expansion with an imminent move to a new larger office set up. The position is in the Birmingham Office although Wakemans service it’s Clients on a national level.

The candidate should be able to evidence a working knowledge of a range of building surveying services. They should be able to work independently but have a strong team spirit and a positive attitude to service delivery. They should also have at least 3 years post degree experience and be either working towards final assessment with the RICS or have recently taken their APC exam.

The candidate should show some experience or understanding in delivering core building surveying services such as:-

•  Contract Administration.
•  Dilapidations.
•  Party Wall.
•  Landlord and Tenant.
•  Defect Analysis and Rectification.
•  Developing a Client Brief.
•  Project delivery.
•  JCT Contract Administration (Minor and IF).
•  Technical Compliance (Planning & Building Regulations).
•  Specification writing.
•  Producing schedules of work.

Candidates should also have an awareness of:-

•  The Principal Designer role.
•  Design (Experience of using AutoCAD).
•  NEC Contracts (Option C).
•  Project Cost Control.

The candidate should present a professional image especially when client facing and able to demonstrate a confident persona, have good communication and negotiation skills. Good writing and numeracy skills are also a key requirement.

Candidates should hold a full clean driving licence have access to their own vehicle and a willingness to travel for work.

Wakemans offer an individually focused and competitive package for the right candidate; inclusive of Pension, 25 days holiday, Healthcare (after successful completion of probation period) Life Insurance and paid professional subscriptions.  Provision of a car allowance will be considered.

Candidates should apply in writing attaching their current curriculum vitae and salary expectations to:- careers@wakemans.com

Maintenance / Archive / Gardener Key Duties

We are seeking an enthusiastic maintenance / archive / gardener Handy Person to carry out basic preventative and reactive maintenance including carpentry, basic plumbing, decorating, changing light tubes and general maintenance upkeep.

Your duties will be varied and you will be responsible for maintaining the gardens / car park in a tidy condition as well as assisting with archiving and health and safety duties.  For a full job description please click here.

Hours are 2 days per week (15 hours).
Own transport is essential.

Candidates should apply in writing indicating their experience in relation to the above job description to:- careers@wakemans.com