Vacancy Detail

Construction Health & Safety Advisor

Greys Specialist Recruitment is supporting an established multidisciplinary construction consultancy in the appointment of a Construction Health & Safety Advisor covering the M4 Corridor.

The consultancy provides Construction Health & Safety, CDM, Principal Designer, surveying, quality-control and wider technical advisory services to developers, construction clients and project teams across the UK.

This is a client-facing consultancy role combining practical construction H&S advice, site-compliance activity and support relating to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of client appointments, undertake construction site inspections and provide competent advice to clients, designers, Principal Designers, Principal Contractors and other project stakeholders.

Although the position includes operational site-safety activity, the M4 Corridor vacancy has a greater emphasis on CDM compliance than the equivalent regional H&S position. Candidates must therefore be able to understand and apply CDM 2015 in practice, not simply demonstrate general awareness of the regulations.

Previous experience working as a CDM Advisor or supporting Principal Designer appointments would be particularly valuable. Candidates with strong construction H&S experience who have regularly advised clients and project teams under CDM may also be considered.

The position is home-based, with frequent travel to construction sites, client offices and project meetings throughout the M4 Corridor. Occasional wider UK travel and overnight stays may also be required.

Key responsibilities

  • Represent the consultancy as a principal H&S and CDM contact for assigned clients and construction projects.
  • Plan, manage, monitor and coordinate the delivery of Construction Health & Safety services across a portfolio of client appointments.
  • Provide competent and practical advice on the application of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
  • Explain the duties placed on clients, designers, Principal Designers, Principal Contractors and contractors under CDM 2015.
  • Help clients establish suitable arrangements for managing construction health and safety throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Support the CDM team in reviewing project arrangements, construction information and dutyholder compliance.
  • Liaise with clients, designers, project managers, contractors and other consultants to ensure relevant H&S information is communicated effectively.
  • Review, prepare, coordinate and distribute relevant health and safety information to design and project-team members.
  • Review Construction Phase Plans prepared by Principal Contractors and provide clear written advice on their suitability.
  • Review risk assessments and method statements and issue formal review reports where required.
  • Consider whether submitted documentation reflects the actual project risks, construction methods and site arrangements rather than simply checking for the presence of paperwork.
  • Attend active construction sites to conduct SHE, compliance and general H&S inspections.
  • Identify unsafe conditions, practices or management arrangements and provide clear, proportionate recommendations.
  • Raise high-risk issues with the client and line manager before leaving site, seeking to agree an appropriate resolution wherever reasonably possible.
  • Prepare and issue accurate inspection reports within 24 hours of each visit.
  • Attend and, where required, chair project, design-team and client meetings.
  • Provide clear advice to clients regarding their wider legal duties under UK health and safety legislation.
  • Undertake audits, gather and record H&S information and monitor agreed actions through to completion.
  • Support clients in developing and maintaining suitable H&S management systems aligned with ISO 45001.
  • Prepare and update client policies, procedures, risk assessments, templates, checklists and other H&S documentation.
  • Deliver construction H&S, CDM and client-system training when required.
  • Manage multiple client appointments, site visits, meetings and reporting deadlines simultaneously.
  • Deliver services within the agreed appointment, programme, scope and budget.
  • Maintain accurate electronic project records, including correspondence, reports and meeting minutes, ensuring a complete and current audit trail.
  • Take responsibility for invoicing completed work promptly and meeting agreed personal and team delivery and invoicing targets.
  • Liaise with the accounts team regarding project invoicing and provide relevant information where payments remain outstanding.
  • Prepare fee proposals and identify work falling outside an existing client appointment.
  • Notify clients of additional charges and ensure relevant purchase orders or written authorities are secured before additional work is delivered.
  • Attend weekly team meetings to coordinate workload, project allocation, deadlines and commercial performance.
  • Support and mentor junior colleagues, sharing construction H&S and CDM knowledge across the wider team.
  • Identify opportunities to provide additional services to existing clients and contribute to the continued development of the regional client base.
  • Support improvements to internal procedures, reporting tools and service delivery.
  • Maintain current knowledge of legislation, industry guidance, construction methods and CDM practice through regular CPD.

Essential experience and qualifications

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

  • Previous experience working as a Construction Health & Safety Advisor, Construction Safety Consultant, CDM/H&S Advisor or in a closely related position.
  • Significant and recent experience within the construction or built-environment sector.
  • A strong practical understanding of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
  • Experience applying CDM requirements to live construction projects rather than possessing purely academic or theoretical knowledge.
  • The ability to advise clients and project teams on CDM dutyholder responsibilities.
  • Experience reviewing Construction Phase Plans, risk assessments, method statements and associated contractor documentation.
  • Experience undertaking independent H&S and compliance inspections on active construction sites.
  • A thorough understanding of relevant UK legislation, including:
    • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
    • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
    • Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
  • A recognised H&S qualification, ideally the NEBOSH Construction Certificate, NEBOSH Diploma or an equivalent qualification.
  • Current IOSH membership at a minimum of TechIOSH level.
  • Strong knowledge of construction methods, sequencing, site risks and project-delivery processes.
  • The ability to understand and interpret design and construction drawings.
  • The judgement to identify material project risks and provide proportionate, practical recommendations.
  • Strong client-facing communication skills and the confidence to advise senior stakeholders and construction professionals.
  • Excellent written communication and report-writing ability, including the capacity to issue detailed reports within tight deadlines.
  • The ability to handle challenging conversations calmly, professionally and diplomatically.
  • Strong organisation and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple appointments without close supervision.
  • Commercial awareness and an understanding that this is a fee-earning consultancy position.
  • Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain complete project records and audit trails.
  • Confidence using Microsoft Office, electronic reporting tools, mobile applications and general operating systems.
  • A full, clean UK driving licence.
  • The willingness to travel frequently throughout the M4 Corridor and occasionally elsewhere in the UK.
  • The flexibility to undertake overnight stays where required by the project portfolio.
  • The right to live and work in the United Kingdom.

Strongly preferred CDM experience

The strongest candidates are likely to have some or all of the following:

  • Previous experience working as a CDM Advisor, CDM Consultant or Principal Designer.
  • Experience supporting or delivering Principal Designer appointments under CDM 2015.
  • Experience advising construction clients during the pre-construction and construction phases.
  • Experience working directly with design teams to identify, eliminate or control foreseeable construction risks.
  • An understanding of Pre-Construction Information, design-risk management and Health and Safety File requirements.
  • Experience assessing whether clients, designers and contractors have suitable skills, knowledge, experience and organisational capability.
  • Experience coordinating H&S information between clients, designers and contractors.
  • Previous employment within a construction, property, CDM or multidisciplinary consultancy.

A candidate does not necessarily need to have held the formal title of Principal Designer. However, someone whose experience is limited to contractor-side site inspections, with no meaningful client-side or design-phase CDM exposure, is unlikely to be the strongest fit.

Additional desirable experience

The following would also strengthen an application:

  • A NEBOSH Diploma, Level 6 H&S qualification or progression towards one.
  • CertIOSH, CMIOSH or active progression towards chartered status.
  • A degree or equivalent qualification in construction, engineering, architecture or another built-environment discipline.
  • Membership of a relevant professional body such as APS, CIOB, CABE, RICS, RIBA, ICE or IStructE.
  • Experience supporting ISO 45001 management systems.
  • A NEBOSH Fire Safety Certificate or comparable fire-safety qualification.
  • Experience developing and delivering H&S or CDM training and presentations.
  • Experience preparing consultancy fee proposals and managing project invoicing.
  • Experience mentoring junior H&S or CDM professionals.

The person

This position would suit someone who is:

  • Technically credible in both construction health and safety and CDM compliance.
  • Capable of moving between live-site inspections, design-team discussions and senior client meetings.
  • Practical and proportionate rather than overly theoretical or enforcement-led.
  • Confident enough to challenge unsuitable project arrangements while maintaining productive client relationships.
  • Comfortable explaining complex legal responsibilities in clear, usable language.
  • Able to identify the difference between meaningful CDM coordination and paperwork produced solely for compliance purposes.
  • Self-motivated and comfortable working independently from home.
  • Highly organised and capable of managing competing projects, meetings, reports and commercial deadlines.
  • Calm under pressure and able to work effectively with a wide range of personalities and professional disciplines.
  • Commercially aware without compromising professional or technical standards.
  • Interested in continuing to develop their CDM, Principal Designer and wider consultancy expertise.

Working arrangements

  • The position is home-based.
  • Regular travel will be required throughout the M4 Corridor.
  • The postholder will attend construction sites, client offices, design-team meetings and other company locations.
  • Occasional attendance at the consultancy’s head office will be required for induction, meetings or training.
  • Wider UK travel and overnight stays may be required depending on project allocation.
  • Contracted hours are a minimum of 40 hours per week.
  • Start and finish times are reasonably flexible, provided client, project and business requirements are met.
  • Additional hours may occasionally be necessary to meet inspection, reporting or project deadlines.

Package and benefits

  • Salary of £40,000–£45,000 depending on experience.
  • Annual car allowance of £4,800.
  • 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
  • An additional birthday day off may be available following successful completion of probation.
  • Non-contractual holiday buy-back scheme.
  • Employer pension contribution currently set at 4% following three months’ service.
  • Private medical insurance following successful completion of probation.
  • Options to extend medical cover to family members or add dental cover through personal contribution.
  • Six-month probationary period.
  • Ongoing professional development within a supportive and collaborative consultancy team.
  • The opportunity to broaden existing CDM knowledge and develop further Principal Designer capability.

Please contact Max Painter at Greys Specialist Recruitment


Location: Thames Valley | Salary: £40000 - £45000 per year | Job type: Permanent | Posted: 12/08/2026

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