At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design standards and manage consultants for impactful infrastructure projects.
- Company: Public Sector organisation in Edinburgh with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, potential extensions, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence strategic decisions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of public infrastructure while enhancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in building or engineering and experience in design management.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
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 project 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.
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 others 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 – co-ordinating 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 co-ordinating 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.
Essential Experience
- Degree level qualification in building or engineering discipline (Architecture, Architectural Technology and variants, Building or Building Engineering, Building Surveying, Construction, Construction Management and other equivalents) or HND in a construction related discipline.
- Comprehensive experience of design, design management and process, specially related to significant infrastructure projects. Demonstrating your ability to negotiate with and positively influence others to achieve desired project outputs and deliverables.
- Experience in undertaking, researching and developing strategic and/or specific responses to an estates business need.
Desirable Experience
- Experience of defining and setting technical standards and monitoring performance, progress and delivery, initiating corrective actions and improvements as required.
- Expert knowledge of Scottish Government strategies and policies relating to the built environment, planning and construction, building standards and related statutory legislation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Standards Manager in Edinburgh
✨Get your portfolio ready!
When applying for that temporary architecture gig, make sure your portfolio is top-notch. Showcase your best projects, even if they were just uni assignments or side hustles. Include visuals and a brief description to show your design process and creativity.
✨Tap into local architecture events
Check out local architecture exhibitions, talks, and meetups. These events are brilliant for networking and you never know who might be looking for temporary help or just has a contact that could lead you to the right opportunity. Plus, it's a great way to stay updated on trends in the field!
✨Leverage temporary recruitment agencies
Consider registering with recruitment agencies that specialise in architecture roles. They often have access to temporary positions that aren’t advertised elsewhere. It's an easy way to find that next role without much fuss, plus they can help you polish your approach!
✨Show up where the architects are
Join online architecture forums or social media groups where professionals share opportunities. Engaging with these communities not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to job leads and collaborations. Don't underestimate the power of a simple message introducing yourself!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Standards Manager in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Aesthetics:In the architecture game, your portfolio is your best friend. Make sure it showcases a range of your projects, highlighting both your design skills and technical ability. Don't just list what you've done – tell a story behind your designs, and show us how you think spatially!
Emphasise Collaborative Projects:Since this is a temporary role, showing you can work well with others is key. Highlight any collaborative projects in your CV or cover letter. Let us see how you’ve contributed in team settings – we want to know that you can hit the ground running alongside our crew at ASA Recruitment.
Tailor Your Application for the Short Term:For temporary gigs, focus on your flexibility and how quickly you adapt to new environments. In your cover letter, mention your eagerness to learn and contribute immediately. We want to see that you’re ready to bring your skills to ASA Recruitment without needing a long onboarding process!
Stay Up-to-Date with Trends:Architecture is constantly evolving, so make sure your application reflects your awareness of current design trends, software tools, and sustainable practices. Mention any relevant certifications or courses you've taken recently – it shows that you're serious about staying on top of your game for that temporary role.
How to prepare for a job interview at ASA Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
When interviewing for a temporary role in architecture, it’s crucial that we bring along a strong portfolio that highlights our best projects. Make sure to include a variety of work that showcases your design skills, technical drawings, and even any 3D models or visualisations. This will help the interviewers at ASA Recruitment see your creative process and your ability to tackle different challenges in architectural design.
✨Brush Up on Software Skills
Be prepared to answer questions about architectural software like AutoCAD, Revit, or SketchUp, since many firms, including ASA Recruitment, heavily rely on these tools. If possible, brush up on your skills with quick tutorials beforehand, and be ready to discuss how you used these tools in past projects. This shows that you’re not just a pretty face but also technically savvy!
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability
Temporary roles often require us to jump into projects mid-flow, so highlight experiences where you've quickly adapted to new teams or changing project scopes. Talk about your problem-solving strategies and how you handle unexpected challenges — this will show ASA Recruitment that you can seamlessly integrate into their ongoing work without missing a beat.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your critical thinking and design choices in real-time. Practice answers where you explain how you would approach specific architectural challenges or collaborate with different stakeholders. This will not only demonstrate our thought process but also show how we can contribute meaningfully to the team at ASA Recruitment from day one.
