Head of Workspace Policy & Governance

Job Description

We're looking for a Head of Workspace Policy & Governance to provide strategic leadership of workspace governance, policy and compliance across Standard Life's UK property portfolio.

This is a senior role with accountability for ensuring our workspace environments operate within a robust governance framework, supporting statutory compliance, risk management, organisational resilience and workspace wellbeing. Acting as the authority for workspace policy and governance, you'll define standards, oversee compliance and provide assurance that workspace risks are effectively managed across all sites.

If you bring strong experience in governance, health & safety and risk leadership within a corporate organisation, preferably within a financial services or other regulated environment, and enjoy working at the intersection of policy, compliance and operational delivery, this is an opportunity to shape how workspace governance supports a safe, resilient and inclusive working environment.

The role

As Head of Workspace Policy & Governance, you'll lead the development, implementation and oversight of workspace governance and compliance frameworks across Standard Life's property portfolio.

You will be responsible for defining and maintaining workspace policies, standards and governance arrangements that ensure compliance with statutory obligations, regulatory requirements and internal risk frameworks. Working closely with operational teams, risk, compliance and people functions, you will ensure governance frameworks are embedded effectively across the estate.

With a strong focus on health & safety governance, organisational resilience and business continuity, you will provide assurance to senior leaders that workspace risks are identified, managed and controlled, and that workspaces are safe, resilient and aligned to colleague wellbeing and inclusion objectives.

Key responsibilities

• Leading the development and ownership of the organisation's workspace policy and governance framework
• Establishing and maintaining clear standards for health & safety, statutory compliance and workspace risk management
• Providing governance oversight and assurance across all workspace locations, including third‑party service providers
• Overseeing ISO management systems, including ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 27001, and leading internal and external audit activity
• Ensuring health & safety governance frameworks support safe, healthy and inclusive working environments
• Leading workspace related business continuity and resilience planning in line with organisational risk frameworks
• Maintaining oversight of compliance risks including fire safety, asbestos, water hygiene and statutory engineering obligations
• Leading investigation, reporting and analysis of safety incidents, risks and trends
• Providing expert advice to senior leaders on workspace governance, risk and compliance matters
• Leading and developing the Workspace Policy & Governance team and specialist resources

Qualifications and experience

We focus on essential capabilities and encourage applications from candidates whose experience may look different, but who bring strong governance leadership and judgement.

You will have:

• Significant experience leading governance, compliance and/or health & safety functions within a corporate organisation, preferably within a financial services or other regulated environment.
• Proven experience developing and implementing policy frameworks and governance structures
• Strong knowledge of built‑environment regulatory requirements and workspace compliance obligations
• Experience managing organisational risk and compliance frameworks at a strategic level
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing specialist teams and influencing senior stakeholders

The following are desirable:

• Experience working across multi‑site property portfolios
• Experience supporting organisational resilience or business continuity activity
• Professional qualifications such as NEBOSH Diploma or chartered IOSH membership

Benefits

Salary range £70,000 to £90,000 dependant on experience plus an indicative bonus range of 30-60%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, income protection, career breaks, 3 volunteering days and much more.

Hybrid working is supported with regular travel required across UK office locations (Edinburgh, Birmingham, London and Telford). You will spend time on site to support effective governance oversight, engagement with operational teams and consistent standards across the estate.

Flexible working options (part‑time, job share and other types of flexibility) are available and will be discussed during the recruitment process.

EEO Statement

We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome. If your experience looks different from what we've advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you.

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