About the job

Summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department, we operate on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives.

DWP Estates Directorate are accountable for the delivery of all aspects of real estate services and the work we do is critical in ensuring the vital work that the Department undertakes is enabled effectively. The DWP commercial estate is the largest within Government and our diverse national property portfolio reflects this scale. It is a unique mix ranging from modern corporate centres, multi-occupied Service Centres, to its frontline high street services.

We are responsible for the Department’s 900+ workplaces, that provide workplaces for 90,000 employees and a UK wide presence for all those that visit us. Ultimately, the Department relies on us to provide safe and secure buildings that are fit for purpose and meet the needs of the business.

The Department is also committed to delivering Sustainability and Net Zero Carbon improvements across its estate, demonstrating leadership in making the public estate smaller, better, greener. The work you will be undertaking is therefore crucial in us meeting the needs of all those who use our services.

From helping to defining the technical and architectural design strategy you will also have responsibility for ensuring project compliance, with agreed policy and standards, whilst also helping teams to apply appropriate guidance.

Job description

Key accountabilities

• Supporting the Workplace Design Standards Manager in the preparation and implementation of Design Guides and ensuring the products complement and support the Governments wider design strategy.

• Supporting the development of technical property standards for various building types across the portfolio ensuring, as a minimum, legal compliance but aspiring to the achievement of a ‘great place to work’ or engage with the DWP.

• Working with third party consultants to develop and implement guidance for technical assets such as HVAC systems, lighting, power, and Building Management Systems.

• 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.

• Driving targets on lifecycle/ total cost of ownership for all building assets.

• Ensuring the integrity of DWP’s 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.

• Developing and managing the furniture, fixtures and equipment product design standards and approving the supporting catalogues to ensure that the range and style offered delivers value and fits with the future vision for the department.

• Engaging with Suppliers to be fully informed of new products and innovations that could benefit the DWP.

• 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.

• Developing the departments BIM Strategy, working with Sodexo the DWP’s ‘Integrator’ to identify the Employers Requirements and Protocol definitions.

• Playing a key role in the team’s 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.

Responsibilities

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Architectural experience in a construction based role, able to evidence involvement in complex estate change in either office/ retail/ banking or educational environments.

• 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 of furniture, fixtures & equipment specifications within office environments with the knowledge to specify appropriate product types, fabrics and level of quality.

• Experience in reviewing plans, space planning, building test fits and analysing/ commenting on RIBA stage reports.

• Ability to set BIM Strategy, in line with Government requirements, to the benefit of the DWP through the full lifecycle of property assets.

• 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.

• Ability to work collaboratively with mixed teams, consultants and stakeholders.

• Comfortable challenging the status-quo to achieve a better outcome.

Leadership attributes and behaviours

• Reflect on own work, continuously seek and act on feedback to improve own and team’s performance. Ensure development objectives are set and achieved to address any gaps and improve delivery of current and future work.

• Have clear understanding of their role, responsibilities, and accountability within the team.

• Support continuous improvement of relevant standards, policies, processes, and governance relating to the role, identifying improvement opportunities and owning their implementation where applicable.

• Collaborate with team members and cross functional colleagues to identify and implement improvements in ways of working, policy, process and governance.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Desirable

• Degree/Masters in Architecture

• Working towards RIBA with a preference if already held

• Relevant Project Management Qualification (e.g. PRINCE2/APM/MSP etc.)

Behaviours

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

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