Regional Workplace Services Delivery Government Soft Landings GSL Lead (1 x LONDON and 1 x North)

Government Recruitment Service; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Manchester is seeking a GSL Lead to oversee the implementation of Government Soft Landings (GSL) policies across projects. The role involves managing stakeholder engagement, ensuring compliance with sustainability practices, and facilitating effective project delivery within the construction environment. Candidates should have a relevant degree or equivalent experience, and a strong understanding of project management and GSL processes. This is an opportunity to contribute to transformative government projects with significant social impact.

Benefits

Public sector pension scheme

Opportunities for professional development

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in managing large scale projects in the construction or real estate sector.
• Understanding of sustainability practices and compliance regulations.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of Government Soft Landings (GSL) policy in workplace services.
• Engage with stakeholders to facilitate effective project delivery.
• Monitor compliance and assist in the commissioning process.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Project management

Knowledge of GSL processes

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

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 transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern, cost-effective real estate service solutions.

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. And we’re dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service. Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (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.

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.

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do.

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.

Our vision is a transformed, shared, sustainable and value for money Government estate supporting civil servants to work productively in every nation and region of the UK.

GSL is a key element of the GPA process of briefing design, construction and handover process, to maintain a ‘golden thread’ of the facility’s purpose and enables structured monitoring of performance standards during delivery and facility operation.

The key areas of responsibility are listed, but not limited to those detailed below and working as part of a team, the jobholder will also be expected to work under their own initiative coping with rearranging priorities and maintaining a friendly and courteous attitude at all times. There will be occasions when you are asked to step into other areas of operations across the UK.

Government Soft Landings (GSL) Leads work across a region ensuring that where Capital Projects are developing buildings in that region that appropriate engagement between Capital Projects and Workplace Services Delivery (including it’s delivery partners – Hard/Soft FM, Security and Catering etc). and Workplace Services Assurance, to enable effective transitions from development into live and enduring operations providing a fully functional, statutorily compliant, client occupied building.

However due to the fluidity of projects, timing and workload the GSL Regional Lead will also support project delivery in other regions as needs arise.

Whilst the GSL Regional GSL Lead reports to the G6 Regional Workplace Manager within their region, they will have dotted line accountabilities to the G7 Head of Compliance and Handover (GSL) Manager with Workplace Services Assurance. This is to ensure GSL is implemented consistently across the portfolio. In addition, the GSL Lead would have close liaison with any appointed GSL champion from the project delivery team, and the GSL Specialist Services Partner, GPA GSL Manager (Capital Projects), and Capital Projects Compliance & Handover Manager (GSL Lead).

The Workplace Service Delivery GSL Lead ensures the GSL policy, processes and themes are correctly applied in the Workplace Services environment. Key to success is evidence of engagement with outputs tracked; keeping all relevant stakeholders involved at relevant RIBA Stages; recording key GSL activities and decisions; and storing the record in an appropriate place.

The GSL Lead is not accountable for managing the Construction and Fitout project – but for ensuring the correct level and timeliness of engagement to support outcomes, and therefore requires a proactive approach with excellent communication skills.

The GSL Lead will represent WSD and be the voice at the table at each stage listed below within the project environment, they are also responsible for consulting, informing and effectively communicating with throughout all stages of the RIBA Plan of Work.

Stage 0 – Strategic Definition

Stage 1 – Preparation & Briefing

Stage 2 – Concept Design

Stage 3 – Spatial Coordination

Stage 4 – Technical Design

Stage 5 – Manufacturing & Construction

Stage 6 – Handover

Stage 7 – Use - Initial Aftercare

Stage 8 - Use – Extended Aftercare

Engagement can be on any relevant issue. But, at a minimum, it should cover the following areas:

• Functionality (what purpose we want the building or equipment to serve)
• Operating cost (generally, any staff needed to run the facility)
• Energy and environmental performance (water, fuel, SD issues)
• Facilities management (maintenance time and cost in particular)
• Catering strategy and provision/delivery
• Training, commissioning and handover (everything that needs to be done to ensure end users can operate the building effectively from first day after handover)

Critical WSD GSL Contributions – Items listed below is an overview and not an exhaustive list.

Stage 0 - 1 – Drive clarity about operational objectives to influence operational outcomes

Stage 0 – 1 Contribute and active involvement in lessons learnt from other projects.

Stage 0 – 1 Collaborate & support GPA Customer Experience colleagues & frameworks (to aid in educating & exciting), to aid in clarifying customers experience and desired outcomes.

Stage 2 – Representing WSD to ensure the primary output is a well-defined project which considers end user and FM requirements, aligned with measurable performance targets. Establishment of SMART success and performance targets. Early establishment of aftercare, FM strategy and benefits monitoring plan.

Stage 3 - Using BIM Optioneering, Design Studies, Engineering Analysis and Cost Analysis, to test Architectural Concept and Strategies to ensure spatial coordination.

Stage 3 - Support GPA Customer Experience Framework (Gather and Baseline) Help clients plan their workplace strategy and prepare for transition to a smarter working environment and hub occupation.

Stage 3 – Engage FM Service Partners Mobilisation leads and commence building up services, JS2, service matrix, costs and partners Mobilisation Programs

Stage 4 – Monitor & review the design and constructed capital works which has been tested to ensure that it will meet performance targets, requirements and will meet the end-user’s needs.

Stage 4 – 5 - Monitor & review well considered and effective commissioning and pre-handover activities.

Stage 4 – 5 Engage & prepare FM service partners, chair, lead and drive action & outcomes at FM partner Mobilisation & Transition meetings & workshops.

Stage 4 – 5 Evidence that operational targets, regulations and user needs (incl accessibility) can be delivered.

Stage 6 – Ensure accurate “As-built” PIM is in place and data effectively transferred to the Board’s asset management systems.

Stage 6 – Ensure Estates and operational stakeholders are trained and familiar with the completed capital works.

Attend Project Boards and Cat B/ Capital Projects handover meetings with the Cat B / Cat C contractors.

Lead and ensure full statutory compliance handover, including but not limited to, Regulation 38, Red-line documentation & BIM documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Assuring that the GPAs Government Soft Landings policy and processes are effectively applied from a Workplace Services Delivery perspective across the RIBA Plan of Work – where the projects are led by the GPAs Capital Projects Team and on a GSL Lite version with Lifecycle replacement and NetZero projects.
• The GSL Lead will work closely with the GPA Capital Projects team in relation to the buildings in development within their geographic region, and will ensure collaboration with Workplace Services delivery partners for Hard/Soft FM, Security and Catering at the appropriate RIBA stage.
• Support the Workplace Services Compliance and Handover (GSL) Manager in their role of progressing, supporting and documenting the Asset Transfer process, with active participation in Lessons Learnt/post Delivery Reviews.
• The GSL Lead will engage with relevant stakeholders habitually to ensure real time updates, understand all perspectives and enable buy-in.
• Identify potential risks to delivery of a project where Workplace Services engagement is critical to project success and effective transfer into ready for service, and seeking resolution.
• During construction phases to develop relationships with Clients as we develop/implement FM delivery models across their building.
• RISK: Identify, track, and manage GSL-specific risks and opportunities in the project's dedicated schedule, collaborating with the Project Manager to ensure the GSL Opportunities and Risks Schedule forms a component of the main project risk register.