Workplace Design Standards Manager

Job description

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

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement of no more than 1000 words against the essential criteria as outlined above. You will also be asked to provide a short CV.

Your CV should be fairly short and just evidence very brief details of your work history and Qualifications.

While your CV is not formally scored it will be used to validate the evidence of your Personal Statement.

Please do not submit a speculative application where you do not meet at least 50% of the essential criteria as these applications will be unsuccessful. Do not include Behaviour examples within your application as these will not be assessed in the sift and will only be used at interview stage.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

There will be an initial sift of applications based on the Personal Statement only, so please ensure you evidence how you meet the Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience requirement contained in the vacancy in this section. This will form a short list for interview.

If we receive a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift on the Lead Criteria only. If you pass the initial sift you will be progressed to full sift or directly to interview.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single virtual video interview.

There you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the vacancy.

You will also be asked questions to validate your knowledge which will be measured against the essential criteria as specified in the vacancy. Your will also be asked some Behaviour & Strength questions.

Currently the sift is scheduled to take place w/c 26th October 2026and interview dates w/c 9th November 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place virtually and dates are subject to change.

Presentation

If invited to interview you will be required to do a 5 minute presentation at the start of your interview. Details of the presentation and what is required will be supplied as part of the invite to interview.

Further Information

Important Information Visa Sponsorship

For these vacancies, we strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed.

Hybrid Working

This role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work.

If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted working hours from your DWP office.

If you have a disability, caring responsibilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet the minimum office attendance requirement, please discuss this with us using the contact details in this advert.

Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business.

Location

Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.

Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027

For candidates requesting to work in Blackpool Peel Park, please note these roles will initially be based at Blackpool Peel Park and will then move to Blackpool Fylde View by April 2027

For candidates requesting to work in Sheffield Hartshead Square, please note these roles will initially be based at Hartshead Square and then move to 1 West Bar by early 2028

Further Information

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub .

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

• If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Reasonable Adjustments

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the Reasonable Adjustments section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

- Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own

- Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

To process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.

Important

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWPs Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.

Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at the Childcare Choices Website.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants
Job contact :

• Name : Matt Pepper
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB) Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview Opens in new window (pdf, 635kB)