The Building Safety Levy Is Reshaping the Talent Landscape
With the Building Safety Levy (BSL) coming into force in less than two months, on 1 October 2026, the UK construction sector is entering one of its most significant regulatory shifts since the introduction of the Building Safety Act.
The levy is a government charge on most new residential developments in England, introduced to help fund the remediation of unsafe residential buildings with historic fire safety defects.
For developers, the focus is understandably on the financial impact. It becomes an additional cost to be factored into the financial viability of projects, alongside land, construction, financing and planning costs.
For multidisciplinary consultancies, however, the levy represents something else entirely: a surge in demand for specialist expertise that helps clients navigate the increasingly complex compliance, design and risk requirements surrounding the Building Safety Act and the Gateway 2 approval process.
As the implementation date approaches, consultancies are already seeing a significant increase in demand for experienced professionals across building safety, engineering, design and regulatory advisory.
Below, we explore some of the most-in-demand roles ahead of the levy's introduction, why they are critical, and how they fit into today's evolving building safety landscape.
1. Principal Designer (BSR‑Competent)
The Principal Designer has become one of the most strategically important roles in the pre‑construction phase, to ensure that design work complies with building regulations and as far as reasonably possible.
Why demand is rising: Gateway 2 submissions must demonstrate compliant design. Developers are therefore relying heavily on consultancies to provide Principal Designers who can lead safety‑driven design by confidently managing the Golden Thread of information.
2. Fire Engineer
Fire engineers are facing unprecedented demand, particularly those with experience in higher‑risk buildings (HRBs) and the new second‑staircase requirements.
Why demand is rising: Fire strategy is one of the biggest determinants of levy‑eligible design. Any late changes to evacuation routes, compartmentation, or staircase configuration can trigger redesign cycles that delay Gateway 2 approval, hence the role of the Fire Engineer becoming ever more critical.
3. Building Control Surveyor (BSR‑Registered)
With Building Control Surveyors now acting as the sole building control authority for HRBs, registered surveyors are in short supply.
Why demand is rising: Developers need early building control input to avoid failed Gateway 2 submissions. Consultancies offering BSR‑registered surveyors are seeing a spike in demand for pre‑application reviews and compliance audits and have to call on surveyors of this ilk more and more.
4. Risk Consultant / Safety Case Specialist
Risk consultants are becoming essential for levy‑readiness planning.
Why demand is rising: Developers need safety case‑aligned design reviews to ensure that hazards are identified and mitigated before submission. Consultancies with strong risk advisory teams are helping clients avoid levy‑triggering redesigns, and are all seeking to bolster their risk management speciliast resources.
5. Design Manager / Technical Coordinator
Design managers are the glue between architects, engineers, and safety specialists.
Why demand is rising: Gateway 2 requires near‑complete coordinated design packages. Developers are increasingly turning to consultancies to provide qualified and experienced design managers who can integrate multidisciplinary inputs and maintain compliance throughout the design process.
6. Structural Engineer (HRB‑Experienced)
Structural engineers with HRB experience are in high demand due to the increased scrutiny on robustness and load paths.
Why demand is rising: Structural changes late in the design process can trigger levy recalculation. Consultancies are being asked to provide senior engineers who can deliver early, accurate, and compliant structural packages across the board to ease the burden of late changes.
7. Digital Compliance / BIM Safety Specialist
Digital compliance roles are emerging as one of the fastest‑growing categories.
Why demand is rising: Building Information Management safety specialists help ensure that models, data, and documentation align with BSR expectations and BSL requirements - this way of working ensures that accident risks and structural hazards are "designed out" before physical construction begins
8. Project Manager (Gateway‑Experienced)
Project managers with regulatory experience are becoming invaluable within the BSL landsape.
Why demand is rising: Developers have an ever-expanding need for PMs who understand the sequencing of Gateway submissions, levy payment triggers, and the coordination required to avoid delays.
9. Clerk of Works / Quality Inspector
As the BSL deadline approaches, quality assurance roles such as Clerks of Works and Quality Inspectors are seeing renewed importance.
Why demand is rising: Early QA reduces the risk of design changes that could impact levy liability. Consultancies are seeing a heightened supply need for inspectors to support pre‑construction quality reviews.
10. Cost Consultant / Quantity Surveyor (Levy‑Modelling)
QS teams are consistently being asked to provide levy‑impact modelling and cost‑risk forecasting.
Why demand is rising: Developers want clarity on how design decisions affect levy costs. Consultancies with strong cost advisory teams are managing to fill this gap but only when they have sufficient resources in their QS department.
The Bottom Line
The Building Safety Levy is accelerating demand for specialist roles that support compliance, design assurance, and risk management. Multi‑disciplinary consultancies have a critical window to help clients prepare for Gateway 2, and to secure the talent needed to deliver that support.
Need to strengthen your team?
Construction Professionals Recruitment (CPR) specialises in sourcing building safety, fire engineering, surveying, engineering and project delivery professionals across the UK construction consultancy sector.
Whether you're hiring now, planning ahead or already feeling the resource pinch brought about by the BSL, we're here to help you find the right people. Let's start the conversation.
