Job Title: Workplace Design Standards Manager (Contract)\nLocation: Any major UK hub outside London. hubs include Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Cardiff, Glasgow or Newcastle\nContract Length: Until 31 March 2025 (potential extension)\nRate: Up to £500 per day (inside IR35, via umbrella)\nSecurity Clearance: BPSS\nOnsite Requirement: 3 days per week\n\nThe Opportunity\nWe 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.\n\nWhat You'll Be Doing\n\nOverseeing design assurance across up to 300 simultaneous projects\n\nDeveloping, implementing and evolving workplace design and technical property standards\n\nEnsuring compliance with relevant regulations and accessibility requirements (for example, BS8300)\n\nAdvising on sustainable, inclusive and efficient workspace solutions\n\nProviding strategic input across all RIBA stages\n\nConducting post-occupancy evaluations and promoting continuous improvement\n\nCollaborating closely with internal teams, senior stakeholders and external contractors\n\nAssessing the costs, logistics and practicalities of office design proposals\n\nWhat We're Looking For\n\nProven experience in architecture or interior design, ideally in commercial or retail sectors\n\nStrong knowledge of workplace design for large, complex estates\n\nSolid understanding of inclusive design and accessibility\n\nConfident in engaging and influencing senior stakeholders and presenting to large audiences\n\nSkilled in writing, reviewing and evolving design standards\n\nGood understanding of UK Building Regulations and RIBA processes\n\nDesirable\n\nDegree or Master's in Architecture or Interior Design\n\nRIBA membership (or working towards)\n\nProject management qualifications such as PRINCE2 or APM\n\nExperience in large estates such as healthcare or education\n\nWhy This Role?\nThis 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