Workplace Design Standards Manager

ZipRecruiter; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Workplace Design Standards Manager for a strategic role in workplace design assurance across multiple projects in the UK. The role involves overseeing design standards, ensuring compliance, and engaging with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in architecture and strong knowledge of workplace design, particularly in large, complex estates. This contract offers up to £500 per day and a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial or retail sectors.
• Understanding of UK Building Regulations and RIBA processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee design assurance across up to 300 projects.
• Develop and implement workplace design standards.
• Ensure compliance with accessibility requirements.
• Provide strategic input across RIBA stages.
• Conduct post-occupancy evaluations.

Skills

Proven experience in architecture or interior design

Strong knowledge of workplace design

Solid understanding of inclusive design

Confident in engaging and influencing stakeholders

Skilled in writing and reviewing design standards

Education

Degree or Master's in Architecture or Interior Design

Project management qualifications such as PRINCE2 or APM

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Workplace Design Standards Manager (Contract)

Location: Any major UK hub outside London. Hubs include Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Cardiff, Glasgow, or Newcastle.

Contract Length: Until 31 March 2025 (potential extension)

Rate: Up to £500 per day (inside IR35, via umbrella)

Security Clearance: BPSS

Onsite Requirement: 3 days per week

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced workplace design professional to take on a strategic, high-impact role ensuring design excellence across a large portfolio of workplace and customer-facing spaces. This is not a hands-on design role.

Instead, you will be the driving force behind design assurance, compliance, and innovation for hundreds of concurrent projects.

What You'll Be Doing

1. Overseeing design assurance across up to 300 simultaneous projects
2. Developing, implementing, and evolving workplace design and technical property standards
3. Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and accessibility requirements (for example, BS8300)
4. Advising on sustainable, inclusive, and efficient workspace solutions
5. Providing strategic input across all RIBA stages
6. Conducting post-occupancy evaluations and promoting continuous improvement
7. Collaborating closely with internal teams, senior stakeholders, and external contractors
8. Assessing the costs, logistics, and practicalities of office design proposals

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in architecture or interior design, ideally in commercial or retail sectors
• Strong knowledge of workplace design for large, complex estates
• Solid understanding of inclusive design and accessibility
• Confident in engaging and influencing senior stakeholders and presenting to large audiences
• Skilled in writing, reviewing, and evolving design standards
• Good understanding of UK Building Regulations and RIBA processes

Desirable

• Degree or Master's in Architecture or Interior Design
• RIBA membership (or working towards)
• Project management qualifications such as PRINCE2 or APM
• Experience in large estates such as healthcare or education

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to shape the design quality of workspaces across a major portfolio. You will work in a role with visibility at senior levels, a diverse set of projects, and the chance to influence design outcomes that directly affect thousands of users. If you thrive on variety, enjoy working strategically, and can balance design vision with practical delivery, this contract offers both challenge and reward.