Design Standards Manager

ASA Recruitment’s client, a Public Sector organisation in Edinburgh, is currently looking to recruit a Design and Standards Manager to start as soon as possible until May 2027 (with potential extensions) on a rate of c.£250-300/day inside of IR35 (based on experience).

The Role:

The postholder shall provide support to the Estates Head of Professional and Technical Services in developing specific projects or initiatives as requested by the Head of Estates and Technical Services. This shall include the management, including any framework management, of any consultants appointed to provide design or other professional services (CDM advice, building control services and suchlike), directing design commissions in support of projects where appropriate, overseeing the direct appointment and management of consultants for specific appointments and tasks.

The post holder shall act as design champion and ensure that a standard suite of suitable design standards are available and kept under review, providing project specific guidance, advice and assistance in the delivery of projects with the aim to ensuring the delivery of high quality outcomes; promotion of quality design in its role in contributing to the aims of the organisation and in ensuring delivery positive outcomes for the users of the buildings and estate; and co-ordinating business and design improvement initiatives. The job shall include maintaining contact with UK judicial authorities, other governmental groups (Scottish and UK) and advisory organisations.

Responsibilities:

• Strategy – Inputting into development plans, option and feasibility studies, research and investigations to develop strategic and/or specific responses to Estates business needs.
• Framework and Contract Management – Undertaking the management of, including any framework management, any consultants appointed to provide design or other professional services (CDM advice, building control services and suchlike); directing design commissions in support of projects where appropriate; and overseeing the direct appointment and management of consultants for specific appointments and tasks. This role includes monitoring progress of commissions, monitoring delivery and performance of suppliers, initiating corrective actions and improvements, and checking consistency and adequacy of deliverables; generally administering the delivery of any commission; and reviewing, analysing and disseminating outputs. Additionally, as Framework Manager support the use of frameworks by other in Estates.
• Design Standards – Developing and maintaining the set of Estates Design Standards including specialist systems and specifications. Using a continuous improvement process and gathering data from a number of sources and, working with other Estates specialists, maintaining the standards up to date reflecting requirements and best practice; disseminating information as required regarding content and use of standards; and initiating the development of new standards as required.
• Project Assistance – Tailoring design standards to meet specific project needs - Inputting into initial stages of projects at business case and feasibility stages; assisting appointed Project Sponsors and Project Managers throughout design stages, attending design meetings as required; advising on design needs and co-ordination, assessing design outputs and deliverables, assisting in the preparation of tender documentation, tender / proposal evaluation and providing continual assistance through construction and handover stages in regards to design issues.
• Improvement – Coordinating a programme of post occupancy and post completion reviews from basic ‘lessons learned’ assessments to full independent post occupancy reviews. Proactively reviewing other sources of potential improvements including project risk and issues logs, project variations, on-site inspection reports, contractors’ reports, occupant and operational feedback, defect management and coordinating input regarding improvements from other estate staff.
• Specialist Knowledge – Developing a specialist knowledge of the estate for input into FOI’s, investigations and enquiries. Maintaining expert knowledge of Scottish Government strategies and policies relating to the built environment, planning and construction, building standards and related statutory legislation. Developing contacts with other SG or UK governmental organisations including MOJ/NOMS/Home Office, HMPS, NIPS, police and other security or custody related organisations. In addition, initiating trials of new products and providing investigation reports.