Workplace Design Standards Manager

Job summary

For jobs located in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is one of the governments largest public service departments with a sizeable annual budget, serving over 20 million citizens.

The estate spans1.4 million square metresacross800+ sitesand supports around78,000 colleagues.

Our vision includes DWPcolleagues,supply chain, partners and,most fundamentally, the customers theDepartment exists to serve. They are the reasonfor our existence.

We are responsible for theday-to-day operationof our vast Estate by managing a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as Security Guarding, Maintenance, Property and Leasehold Management, Construction, Cleaning and Facilities Management.

DWP Estates is not just about maintaining buildings - its about transformation. Our strategic goals include:

• Transitioning to a smaller, more affordable, and adaptable estateto meet future needs
• Investing in infrastructurethrough planned replacement works
• Embedding sustainabilityin line with Government Greening Commitments (GGCs)
• Delivering cost-effective serviceswhile maintaining high standards
• Creating a professional, best-in-class working cultureacross the Government Property profession

Our Estates strategy ambitions have been refreshed to take us through to 2030:

OPTIMISE: Continue to transition to a more affordable and adaptable DWP estate that creates productive environments

INVEST: Investment in an improved environment that better meets the needs of customers and colleagues and minimises service disruption

SUPPORT the drive for sustainability throughout DWP

DELIVER: Expertly deliver improving, cost-effective services for DWP

THRIVE: Continue to develop a working culture for DWP Estates that is best in class across government

There is no better time to join the award winning DWP Estates team.

The Design Standards team works from project inception through post occupancy evaluation to ensure that the DWPs property portfolio is aspirational in its approach to design, inclusivity and sustainability.

Job description

Government Property Profession Career Framework (Link)

This role sits within the following:

• Job Family Technical Specialism and Assurance
• Core Role - Design
• Level - Practitioner

Key accountabilities

• Supporting the Workplace Design Standards Lead in the preparation and implementation of Design Guides and ensuring the products complement and support the Governments wider design strategy
• Inspiring innovation in design, introducing sustainable alternatives to improve the workplace environment and contributing actively towards Net Zero Carbon 2050 targets and Greening Government Commitments
• Ensuringthe integrity of DWPs Estate portfolio, confirming that new and upgraded properties are fit for purpose and comply with the standards necessary to maintain a robust, consistent, integrated technical infrastructure to support business continuity
• Ensuring all projects comply with the agreed DWP brand, colour palette and signage/ wayfinding requirements
• Providing timely direction and technical advice to external designers and supply chain consultants to ensure the developing proposals meet quality standards and the operational requirements of the Department
• Managing and resolving technical issues with significant legal or commercial risk
• Advising senior business stakeholders, throughout the RIBA project stages, to demonstrate advocacy of smart working and the creation of effective and inclusive workspaces
• Reviewing and commenting on floor plans, test fits and schedules at key project stages
• Approving compliance with or justifiable variance from the standards for all Real Estate projects. All Business Cases will require approval of their technical strategy and architectural design by the team before submission for approval
• Playing a key role in the teams continuous improvement programme, based on the collection and analysis of data. Attending site to review live projects to capture lessons learned and avoid repeated mistakes or missed opportunities in the future
• Carrying out Post-Occupancy Evaluation and stakeholder engagement sessions and converting feedback into changes required in the Design Standards documentation
• Running regular training sessions with the various supporting teams and consultants to improve performance and understanding of key areas for development
• Providing a link between the Estates team and wider DWP, as well as with other Government Departments on technical and performance improvement matters. Sharing best practice and attending cross government workshops, working groups or conferences as appropriate

Person specification

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Architectural/Interior Design experience in a construction-based role, able to evidence involvement in complex estate change in either office/ retail/ banking/ healthcare or educational environments Lead Criteria
• Experience of dealing with technical, legal, or regulatory design issues at a policy and practical level
• Good knowledge of statutory processes, Building Regulations, British Standards, and a comprehensive understanding of construction related UK legislation
• Experience in reviewing plans, space planning, building test fits and analysing/ commenting on RIBA stage reports
• Ability to use evidence alongside analytical thinking to make decisions
• Ability to present, sometimes in larger forums, in a clear and concise style varying the presentation according to the target audience
• Experience in training and knowledge sharing to enhance the capability and understanding of design standards within the team and supply chain
• Ability to collaborate with mixed teams, consultants, and stakeholders, sometimes managing large stakeholder groups with conflicting views
• Comfortable challenging the status-quo to achieve a better outcome
• Good knowledge of inclusive design principles, standards, and awareness of how this is applied across all aspects of the building design
• Knowledge of industry best practices and trends to develop and implement innovative design solutions.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Desirable

• Interior Architecture, Interior Design or Architecture Degree
• Working towards RIBA with a preference if already held
• Working towards RICS (MRICS/FRICS) with a preference if already held

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 44,447, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 12,876 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (prorata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 years continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT
. click apply for full job details

3203366528