Head of Workplace Design

Government Recruitment Service; Swindon; On-site; GBP 71,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service is seeking a Head of Workplace Design in Swindon to lead the development and delivery of innovative, compliant workplace standards across government spaces. This role shapes strategy, guides policy updates, and ensures projects meet GPAs high-quality requirements.

You will work with cross‑government teams, oversee lifecycle design through RIBA stages, and advocate inclusive, accessible design.

Qualifications

• Lead the Workplace Design Team and strategy.
• Develop and update the Workplace Design Guide and policies.
• Ensure designs meet GPA standards and guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Workplace Design Team and strategy.
• Develop and update the Workplace Design Guide and policies.
• Ensure designs meet GPA standards during all RIBA stages.
• Collaborate with GPA, Integrated Delivery Team and partners.

Skills

Leadership

Workplace Design

Policy Development

Stakeholder Management

Job description

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the government’s office estate.

We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading ignificant transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme. We are also delivering cost-effective property services such as asset management, lifecycle replacement and workplace services.

Innovation and progress underpin our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. Our four core values are at the heart of everything we do. They shape our culture and guide how we work, lead and grow together:

Striving for excellence- We always aim to deliver great results

Empowering through respect- We insist on fair treatment for all, always

Acting with integrity- We consistently do the right thing

Succeeding together- We rely on each other to achieve success

We are committed to representing the communities we serve by making Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) part of everything we do. Our strong emphasis on EDI is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth.

We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

Head of Workplace Design

Company: Government Recruitment Service Salary: £70,968 to £76,742 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Swindon Working pattern: On-site Job type: Permanent Posting date: 2 Nov 2026 Closing date: 2 Dec 2026

Essential requirements

• Lead the Workplace Design Team
• Lead the evolution of the Workplace Design Guide and Workplace design policies and specifications - for example our upcoming Inclusive Design annex.
• Seek assurance from stakeholders that designs for new build offices and renovations are compliant with GPAs standards, policies and guidance in respect of
• Workplace Design - throughout each RIBA stage of a project’s lifecycle. In addition to test this assurance via an evidence based approach.
• Work collaboratively with a range of specialist staff across GPA, the Integrated Delivery Team and wider Government.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.