Principal Consultant – Safety Advisory (Construction & Workplace Safety) – London and South East

Overview

In this Principal Consultant role, you lead Safety Advisory across construction and operational environments, spanning the full asset lifecycle from design through occupancy. You act as a trusted advisor to clients, guiding risk management, compliance, and assurance to protect people and projects. You will work across multiple service lines, shape safety outcomes, and drive continuous improvement. This senior position offers the chance to influence major projects, lead multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to WSP’s culture of innovation and inclusion.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid working policy with two days from home
• flexible working arrangements
• gymflex scheme up to 40% off gym memberships
• Thrive wellbeing programme and Virtual GP
• managerial support for training/Chartership
• bank holiday entitlement flexibility

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of CDM Principal Designer duties across projects and programmes
• Develop and own design risk management strategies to eliminate or reduce risks
• Chair design risk workshops, coordination meetings and project reviews
• Provide authoritative CDM advice and ensure compliance
• Oversee production and quality of PCI, risk registers/hazard logs, and health and safety files
• Influence design and delivery teams to enhance risk management
• Lead safety advisory services for post-occupancy estates
• Advise on H&S management systems, compliance and risk control
• Oversee audits, inspections and assurance activities
• Support client relationships and delivery to meet scope, programme and commercial goals
• Drive consistency and improvement across safety advisory services
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and senior stakeholders
• Lead multidisciplinary engagement across design, construction and operations
• Provide technical leadership across construction and workplace safety
• Mentor and develop junior and senior team members
• Influence behaviours to improve safety outcomes and compliance
• Identify opportunities for repeat work and service growth
• Lead projects in line with scope, programme and commercial expectations
• Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and capability development

Key requirements

• Significant experience in construction safety / CDM advisory, including leading PD roles
• Experience in workplace or operational health & safety (audits, compliance, FM environments)
• Strong knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and UK H&S legislation
• Ability to operate across both project and operational environments
• Proven experience managing client relationships and project delivery
• Commercial awareness including understanding of scope, fees and delivery performance
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Degree or equivalent in construction, engineering, health & safety or related field (or HNC/HND with significant relevant experience)
• NEBOSH General or Construction Certificate (or equivalent)
• Membership of a relevant professional body (IOSH, APS or similar)
• Strong technical expertise across construction and workplace safety

• Leadership
• Stakeholder management
• Communication
• CDM advisory
• Risk management (design risk, PCI, hazard logs)
• H&S compliance and audits

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