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 withina 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.
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 effective governance oversight, engagement with operational teams and consistent standards across the estate.
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.
Closing Date: 15/05/2026
Salary and benefits: Salary range £70,000 to £90,000 dependant on experience plus an indicative bonus range of30–60%, 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.
Life today is increasingly complicated, uncertain and unpredictable. People move through different careers, face unexpected moments and navigate important choices. We offer our colleagues flexibility, trust and benefits that work for whatever life brings. In return we expect curiosity, connection, accountability and high standards. We make room for what matters - so you can bring your best, every day.
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’ll 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’ll ensure governance frameworks are embedded effectively across the estate.
With a strong focus on health & safety governance, organisational resilience and business continuity, you’ll 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 include:
1. Leading the development and ownership of the organisation’s workspace policy and governance framework
2. Establishing and maintaining clear standards for health & safety, statutory compliance and workspace risk management
3. Providing governance oversight and assurance across all workspace locations, including third‑party service providers
4. Overseeing ISO management systems, including ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 27001, and leading internal and external audit activity
5. Ensuring health & safety governance frameworks support safe, healthy and inclusive working environments
6. Leading workspace‑related business continuity and resilience planning in line with organisational risk frameworks
7. Maintaining oversight of compliance risks including fire safety, asbestos, water hygiene and statutory engineering obligations
8. Leading investigation, reporting and analysis of safety incidents, risks and trends
9. Providing expert advice to senior leaders on workspace governance, risk and compliance matters
10. Leading and developing the Workspace Policy & Governance team and specialist resources
Regular UK travel and will be required as part of this role.
What are we looking for?
We focus on essential capabilities and encourage applications from candidates whose experience may look different, but who bring strong governance leadership and judgement.
You’ll have:
11. Significant experience leading governance, compliance and/or health & safety functions within a corporate organisation, preferably within a financial services or other regulated environment.
12. Proven experience developing and implementing policy frameworks and governance structures
13. Strong knowledge of built‑environment regulatory requirements and workspace compliance obligations
14. Experience managing organisational risk and compliance frameworks at a strategic level
15. Demonstrated leadership experience managing specialist teams and influencing senior stakeholders
The following are desirable:
16. Experience working across multi‑site property portfolios
17. Experience supporting organisational resilience or business continuity activity
18. Professional qualifications such as NEBOSH Diploma or chartered IOSH membership
We want to hire the whole version of you.
We are 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.
We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so apply early to avoid missing out.