Principal Designer (PD)
| Posting date: | 02 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 02 May 2026 |
| Location: | B37 7ES |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | ISS Facilities Services |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 153579 |
Summary
Principal Designer (PD)
Contract: Government
Location: Birmingham, B37 7ES - hybrid role
Hours of work: 40
Contract Type: Permanent
We are seeking a Principal Designer (PD) to take legal responsibility for overseeing health and safety during the pre-construction phase of projects.
The role ensures that all health and safety considerations are properly planned, coordinated, and addressed before any project is approved to proceed, providing assurance that projects meet procedural and regulatory requirements.
Job Description
The Principal Designer will act as the subject matter expert, bringing together pre-construction information and working closely with designers, contractors, internal teams, and external partners.
The role also provides strategic leadership across large, complex projects, ensuring delivery aligns with business objectives, legal obligations, budgets, and quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
Plan, manage, and coordinate all health and safety activities during the pre-construction phase.
Collate and manage pre-construction information and ensure it is shared appropriately with designers and contractors.
Ensure health and safety risks are identified, eliminated, or controlled through design and planning.
Lead and manage large-scale, cross-functional projects with multiple linked workstreams.
Act as the subject matter expert, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, and company standards.
Define project scope, secure resources, and manage stakeholder expectations.
Identify, assess, and manage risks that could impact project delivery.
Provide strategic oversight, governance, and accountability for successful project outcomes.
Professional and Personal Competencies/Qualifications
Level 3 qualification – desirable.
FESS Certificate – required.
Experience leading large-scale, cross-functional projects.
Proven experience managing budgets exceeding £1m.
Good knowledge of PAS 8671.
Conversant with NEC4 contracts.
Strong understanding of relevant health and safety legislation.
Good knowledge of construction processes, with the ability to read and interpret drawings and specifications.
Excellent leadership and communication skills.
Proficient in MS Project, Excel, and PowerPoint.
UK driving licence required, with flexibility to travel as needed.
The Company
ISS is a world-leading workplace and facility management company, connecting people and places to make the world work better. Working with customers day by day, side by side, we understand every aspect of the user experience.
Through a unique combination of intelligent solutions, high standards and people who care, to help our customers achieve their purpose, whether it’s hospitals healing patients, businesses producing the next great innovation, or airports bringing passengers home to their families. ISS is committed to doing business the right way, taking its corporate responsibility very seriously. Our passion is people.
We offer you a challenging and exciting career in an organisation with people at its heart. In ISS, everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and make a difference. #Becomewhoyouwant, #Bepartofsomethingbigger,
#aplacetobeyou,
#facilitiesmanagement
ISS is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer.
ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.
We are proud to be a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award holder and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising our commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, and military families. Through our Joint Forces Programme, we provide mentoring and support to members of the Armed Forces community and their spouses as they transition into civilian careers.
We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government’s Disability Confident scheme.
Our passion for inclusivity and diversity makes ISS a more creative, productive and happy place to work.
If you have any further queries regarding this role, please contact the Resourcing Team by emailing resourcing.team@uk.issworld.com
Contract: Government
Location: Birmingham, B37 7ES - hybrid role
Hours of work: 40
Contract Type: Permanent
We are seeking a Principal Designer (PD) to take legal responsibility for overseeing health and safety during the pre-construction phase of projects.
The role ensures that all health and safety considerations are properly planned, coordinated, and addressed before any project is approved to proceed, providing assurance that projects meet procedural and regulatory requirements.
Job Description
The Principal Designer will act as the subject matter expert, bringing together pre-construction information and working closely with designers, contractors, internal teams, and external partners.
The role also provides strategic leadership across large, complex projects, ensuring delivery aligns with business objectives, legal obligations, budgets, and quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
Plan, manage, and coordinate all health and safety activities during the pre-construction phase.
Collate and manage pre-construction information and ensure it is shared appropriately with designers and contractors.
Ensure health and safety risks are identified, eliminated, or controlled through design and planning.
Lead and manage large-scale, cross-functional projects with multiple linked workstreams.
Act as the subject matter expert, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, and company standards.
Define project scope, secure resources, and manage stakeholder expectations.
Identify, assess, and manage risks that could impact project delivery.
Provide strategic oversight, governance, and accountability for successful project outcomes.
Professional and Personal Competencies/Qualifications
Level 3 qualification – desirable.
FESS Certificate – required.
Experience leading large-scale, cross-functional projects.
Proven experience managing budgets exceeding £1m.
Good knowledge of PAS 8671.
Conversant with NEC4 contracts.
Strong understanding of relevant health and safety legislation.
Good knowledge of construction processes, with the ability to read and interpret drawings and specifications.
Excellent leadership and communication skills.
Proficient in MS Project, Excel, and PowerPoint.
UK driving licence required, with flexibility to travel as needed.
The Company
ISS is a world-leading workplace and facility management company, connecting people and places to make the world work better. Working with customers day by day, side by side, we understand every aspect of the user experience.
Through a unique combination of intelligent solutions, high standards and people who care, to help our customers achieve their purpose, whether it’s hospitals healing patients, businesses producing the next great innovation, or airports bringing passengers home to their families. ISS is committed to doing business the right way, taking its corporate responsibility very seriously. Our passion is people.
We offer you a challenging and exciting career in an organisation with people at its heart. In ISS, everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and make a difference. #Becomewhoyouwant, #Bepartofsomethingbigger,
#aplacetobeyou,
#facilitiesmanagement
ISS is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer.
ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.
We are proud to be a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award holder and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising our commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, and military families. Through our Joint Forces Programme, we provide mentoring and support to members of the Armed Forces community and their spouses as they transition into civilian careers.
We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government’s Disability Confident scheme.
Our passion for inclusivity and diversity makes ISS a more creative, productive and happy place to work.
If you have any further queries regarding this role, please contact the Resourcing Team by emailing resourcing.team@uk.issworld.com
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.