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The government has committed to a multi-billion-pound investment in UKHSA’s new laboratory facilities – the most significant investment the UK has made in biosecurity infrastructure in a generation. These state-of-the-art laboratories, to be built at a new site in Harlow, will replace UKHSA’s existing facilities at Porton Down and Colindale and will be critical to the UK’s public health resilience and national security for decades to come.

This decision marks a pivotal moment for UKHSA and the wider government science landscape. The new facility will bring together world-class capability under one roof, enabling cutting-edge research, pandemic preparedness, and the protection of the UK from major biological threats.

We are looking for a Head of Technical and Design to lead the programmes

The Head of Technical Services & Design will join the UK Health Security Campus Programme. The overall aim of the programme is to deliver new modern fit for purpose science facilities, creating a hub for the critical scientific capabilities the UK needs to deliver on key health security objectives and National Biosecurity. The UK Health Security Campus Programme aims to enhance and replace existing UKHSA critical infrastructure, most importantly its aging high containment laboratories, which are essential for protecting the nation against potentially highly infectious diseases.

The programme has a small civil service core team to deliver high value complex capital infrastructure construction programme of works. It leads, directs, manages and controls the day-to-day work. Overall, this is headed by the Programme Director, supported by Lead Project Manager, project teams, PMO and technical assurance team. The programme is supported by professional services delivery partners appointed through framework of specialist suppliers for design, technical, project management, commercial and cost management and other disciplines.

As Head of Technical and Design, you will be responsible for managing and implementing the technical specifications and design guides for the UK Health Security Campus Programme by working closely with end-users, scientific facilities, scientists and Subject Matter Experts (SME).

You will lead the Technical Assurance Team and use your knowledge, experience and drive to implement and embed existing strategies into the UK Health Security Campus Programme, whilst continuing working with scientific facilities, scientists and Subject Matter Experts (SME) to develop and improve technical specifications and design guides for the future.

You will act as the lead or intelligent client to turn operational requirements into building design solutions and deliver an enhanced user experience by creating great places to work.

This role may include offsite design in Modern Methods of Construction. Tracking measurable results, you will hold responsibility for the compliance for policies and standards in support of projects throughout delivery across all design aspects, ensuring all new-build, renovation, change and fit out works follow approved guidelines.

The role will require senior management engagement and will develop a suite of fit for purpose and forward-thinking design guides, fostering innovation, share lessons learned, and promote technical standards internally and externally to move the construction industry forwards. This is excellent opportunity to balance your senior management skills with your technical expertise.

Responsibilities include:

• Overall leadership and management of the programme Technical Assurance team, providing clear direction and focus, visibly championing the changes which deliver greater efficiencies.
• Ownership of Specifications & Design Guides for the UK Health Security Campus Programme.
• Ensuring that design standards, specifications and guides are compliant with legislation, fit for purpose and provide value for money.
• Continuing to rationalise specifications and seek avenues to harmonise across the agency’s assets and wider Government Departments.
• Supporting the project teams in all design matters where specialist advice is needed to overcome challenges or uncertainty.
• Considering and make decisions on all Value Engineering that relates to technical specifications and consider all non-compliance requests through a derogation process.
• Supporting both new and existing suppliers understanding of UKHSA’s requirements and where applicable oversee the product testing procedure and product acceptance criteria.
• Continuing to improve processes and develop strategies to implement on projects at differing stages.
• Supporting the business case team with the development of the programme business case, providing expert input where required.
• Gathering and challenging operational requirements, and develop appropriate, cost effective and timely design solutions through RIBA stages.
• Overseeing the maintenance and development of a Building Information Modelling (BIM) technical standards library
• Leading on all aspects of building planning for a diverse workforce/service user, working in partnership with the supply chain to ensure innovative solutions including off site construction where appropriate.
• Providing direction and advice to consultants to ensure designs meet the operational needs of service users.
• Championing inclusive and accessible design.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of this role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Essential Criteria

• Undergraduate Degree or equivalent industry experience/knowledge in a related subject (e.g. project management, quantity surveying, design/architectural, civil/structural/Mechanical/Electrical engineering, building surveying, construction or relevant technical subject matter).
• Experience of leading a varied and senior team of professionals to deliver ambitious targets.
• Ability to set technical design and assurance strategy for the UK Health Security Campus Programme.
• Experience of working with complex and high value project/framework procurement processes.
• Knowledge and experience of risk management and benefits realisation.
• A strong communicator and able to present confidently to a wide range of audiences.
• Knowledge of RIBA stages and experience of construction projects.
• A strong delivery and commercial focus with understanding of potential cost reduction strategies and leveraging purchasing power to drive savings and benefits.
• Extensive knowledge of statutory regulations & processes, Planning & building regulations and construction related legislation.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of the wider (global) construction methods including offsite market.
• Financial management experience.
• Contract management experience such as PPC 2000, NEC3 forms of contracts and contract remedies.
• Understating of Project Management techniques and processes.
• Awareness of Government Property Profession.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information: UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers

Job contact :

• Name : Sarah Handy
• Email : sarah.handy@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk