Principal Designer (Building Regs) | Manchester (Hybrid) | £48,000–£55,000

Take the next step in your design career and lead the Building Safety Act and Gateway process function for a long standing, highly reputable architecture studio.

Our client is looking for a Principal Designer, ideally a registered Architect, to join their Manchester-based team as Northern lead. This is a genuine leadership opportunity for someone ready to take ownership of Gateway approvals and grow a team around themselves as the studio scales in the North.

There's a clear, structured route to Director level, including shareholding.You'll lead Principal Designer duties across a varied and genuinely interesting sector base, working closely with design teams to ensure Building Safety Act compliance is built in from day one, not bolted on at the end.

What You'll Be Doing

• Acting as Principal Designer under the Building Safety Act, leading projects through Gateway 1 to 3.
• Acting as lead designer, holding design intent through statutory approval stages.
• Coordinating with design teams to close compliance gaps early, not at Gateway submission.
• Managing relationships with the Building Safety Regulator, Building Control bodies and design consultants.
• Building, structuring and mentoring a team as the Manchester office grows around you.
• Acting as the studio's technical and regulatory point of reference beyond your own projects.

What We're Looking For

• Registered Architect preferred, though candidates with equivalent experience in the role will be considered.
• Demonstrable experience operating as, or closely alongside, a Principal Designer through Gateway 2/3.
• Strong understanding of the Building Safety Act and Higher Risk Building requirements.
• Confident communicator, comfortable with clients, consultants and the Building Safety Regulator.
• Ready to take on responsibility and grow into a leadership and eventual ownership position.

Benefits

• 26 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Hybrid working, 3 days in the Manchester office, 2 from home.
• Structured progression into a Director role, including shareholding.
• Joining a studio that's already invested in Building Safety Act capability, not building it from zero.

Ready to apply?

Contanct matt.cassady@elliotthomasconsulting.co.uk directly or send your CV and I'll talk you through it confidentially.