Hybrid Technical and Principal Designer

Role Overview: We are seeking an experienced and confident Technical Designer & Principal Designer (Building Regulations) to join our Banking Team, delivering fast‑paced retail banking fit‑out projects nationwide. This hybrid position requires an individual who can immediately and independently discharge the statutory duties of Principal Designer (Building Regulations), while also contributing as a skilled Technical Designer within our multi‑disciplinary project workflows. The successful candidate will lead Building Regulations compliance from project inception through detailed design, ensuring all design work is coordinated, compliant, and fully evidenced. You will work closely with designers, contractors, security specialists, banking stakeholders, and Building Control bodies, taking a proactive role in managing compliance risk and safeguarding design integrity across multiple concurrent branch projects. Experience with Higher‑Risk Buildings (HRBs) is advantageous but not essential, a strong command of Building Regulations, design‑compliance leadership, and multi‑disciplinary coordination is the priority. Roles and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Principal Designer (Building Regulations) – Core Duties: * Act as the appointed PD:BR on retail banking fitout projects, taking full responsibility for planning, managing, monitoring and coordinating all design compliance activities. * Lead the evaluation of design information against the Building Regulations and verify that all proposals are safe, compliant, and supported by traceable evidence. * Manage project-specific Building Regulations Compliance Trackers, Golden Thread documentation, and design-compliance audit trails. * Drive coordination between architecture, MEP, fire safety, security, structural and specialist design disciplines. * Challenge and resolve compliance gaps, design risks, departures, and technical inconsistencies. * Liaise with Building Control bodies, prepare compliance documentation, and support submissions. * Educate and guide designers, suppliers and subcontractors on compliance expectations and duty holder responsibilities. * Oversee and record design changes, ensuring proper change control, traceability and regulatory approval. * Ensure all compliance decisions and design-justifications are captured for project handover and long-term safety documentation. Technical Designer Responsibilities: * Produce and refine technical drawings, fit-out layouts, security-sensitive layouts, joinery packs, and interface details for retail banking environments. * Translate brand guidelines, corporate specifications and security requirements into fully coordinated technical solutions. * Carry out site surveys, existing condition checks and design verification. * Coordinate technical inputs from internal teams, suppliers, security partners, MEP and specialist subcontractors. * Support tender packages, construction issue drawings and site clarifications. Skills, Knowledge & Experience: * Proven ability to act as a Principal Designer (BR) with immediate readiness to undertake the statutory PD:BR role. * Strong technical background in architecture, interior design, fit‑out or related construction design discipline. * Excellent working knowledge of the Building Regulations and compliance strategies across multiple disciplines. * Skilled in reading, analysing and challenging drawings, specifications, and test evidence. * Ability to manage multiple fast‑paced fit‑out projects and prioritise compliance‑critical decisions. * Clear, confident communication and coordination skills—able to influence designers, clients and contractors. * Proficiency in AutoCAD and familiarity with common data environments. * Retail fit‑out or banking‑sector experience highly advantageous. * HRB experience is beneficial but not required. Ideal Candidate Profile: * Operate confidently as a compliance leader, not just a reviewer. * Combines technical design expertise with rigorous, methodical compliance management. * Enjoys a fast‑paced environment involving multiple simultaneous projects. * Have a strong eye for detail and a proactive approach to resolving risks and non‑compliance. * Thrives in a collaborative environment with banking clients, security specialists, and multi‑disciplinary teams. * Can evidence PAS 8671‑level competence