At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead workspace transformation initiatives to enhance productivity and collaboration.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a leader in retirement solutions with a focus on customer commitment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, private medical cover, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Flexible roles available; we value diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on workspace environments and organisational performance.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading complex workspace transformation programmes and engaging stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Here at Standard Life, we guide millions of people through some of life’s biggest decisions. We’re searching for a Head of Workspace Transformation who shares our commitment to putting customers first, aiming high and working together to join our Property & Workspace function. This is a senior leadership role with accountability for shaping and delivering workspace transformation programmes that align with our future operating model, ways of working and long‑term business strategy.
You’ll translate strategic direction into practical transformation initiatives, ensuring our workspaces support productivity, collaboration, cultural development and organisational performance. If you bring strong experience leading complex workspace transformation programmes, enjoy working across property, people and change agendas, and thrive in translating strategy into delivery at scale, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on how and where our organisation works.
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Edinburgh or Birmingham. Hybrid working is supported with regular travel required across UK office locations (Edinburgh, Birmingham, London and Telford). You’ll spend time on site to support programme delivery, stakeholder engagement and effective oversight of workspace transformation initiatives.
Flexible working: All roles are open to part‑time, job‑share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.
Salary and 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.
Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.
The role: As Head of Workspace Transformation, you’ll lead the development and delivery of the organisation’s workspace transformation strategy, ensuring our workspace environments evolve in line with the Target Operating Model, business priorities and ways of working. You’ll provide strategic oversight of workspace transformation programmes across the estate, leading complex initiatives such as workspace redesign, estate reconfiguration and the introduction of new workspace models.
Working closely with colleagues across Property & Workspace, HR Change, Technology and Finance, you’ll ensure programmes are delivered within agreed governance, timelines and budgets. With a strong focus on programme leadership, stakeholder engagement and change management, you’ll ensure transformation initiatives are effectively adopted and deliver tangible benefits for the organisation and its colleagues.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the development and implementation of the organisation’s workspace transformation strategy
- Defining long‑term workspace transformation roadmaps aligned to the Target Operating Model
- Providing strategic oversight of workspace transformation programmes across the property portfolio
- Leading the planning and delivery of complex workspace redesign and estate reconfiguration initiatives
- Partnering closely with HR Change to align workspace programmes with wider organisational change activity
- Developing business cases and investment proposals for transformation initiatives
- Driving effective change management, engagement and communication throughout transformation programmes
- Ensuring transformation initiatives operate within risk and governance frameworks and comply with statutory and organisational requirements
Regular UK travel will be required as part of this role.
What are we looking for?
We focus on essential, senior‑level capabilities and encourage applications from candidates whose experience may look different, but who bring strong programme leadership and strategic judgement. You’ll have:
- Significant experience leading workspace transformation or large‑scale organisational change programmes
- Proven experience developing and presenting business cases for executive approval
- Experience managing complex, multi‑disciplinary programmes within large organisations
- Strong strategic planning, programme governance and delivery capability
- Experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders
- Experience delivering workspace or estate‑related initiatives within corporate environments
- Experience delivering hybrid working or modern workspace strategies
- Experience in regulated or large corporate environments
We want to hire the whole version of you. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. 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. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.
Head of Workspace Transformation in Birmingham employer: Phoenix Group
At Standard Life, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values flexibility, collaboration, and personal growth. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer generous benefits including 38 days of annual leave, private medical cover, and opportunities for career development, all within a supportive hybrid working environment in vibrant locations like Edinburgh and Birmingham. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a culture that champions curiosity, accountability, and high standards.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Workspace Transformation in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or attend industry events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their workspace transformation goals and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets them.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your past experiences in leading complex programmes can translate into success for their workspace initiatives. Keep it concise and impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Workspace Transformation in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in workspace transformation. We want to see how your skills align with our goals, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior role, we’re looking for strong programme leadership. Use your application to demonstrate how you've successfully led complex initiatives in the past. Share specific examples that illustrate your impact!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences. Bullet points can help highlight key achievements!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Phoenix Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Standard Life's workspace transformation initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their current projects and how they align with the future operating model. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of their goals and how your experience can contribute.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Workspace Transformation, you'll need to exhibit strong programme leadership. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led complex transformation programmes. Highlight your ability to engage stakeholders and manage change effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you might need to outline how you'd approach specific challenges in workspace transformation. Think about how you would align workspace strategies with organisational change.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the company's vision for workspace transformation or how they measure the success of their initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
