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About the Role

As a Space Planning Manager, you will manage space planning projects from inception to completion including the planning and design of space; the procurement and installation of furniture, floor and window coverings; and the logistics of staff relocations. You will contribute to the management of the off-site carpet and furniture store and will manage space utilisation surveys from implementation to analysis and presentation of results in order to ensure the best efficiency of space use for the University.  You will undertake the preparation and implementation of contracts for the provision of furniture; flooring; window coverings; and removal services to the University.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages space planning projects varying in complexity and value from single person moves up to multiple departmental moves (between 1 and circa 500+ staff). Negotiates Unit/Faculty requirements with representatives (including Deans, Directors and Heads of Unit) at the University's Walton Hall campus, Nation and Regional offices and distribution warehouse. Ensures compliance with current procedures and regulations, agreed project timescales and budget. Manages installations carried out by external suppliers ensuring compliance with existing contracts. Ensures space planning team projects are fully co-ordinated with other services provided by Estates and other departments through both formal and informal meetings and other means of communication. Ensures that all works are carried out to the highest standard with due compliance of up to date health and safety, fire regulations and ensuring that the process has a minimal impact upon University business.  This may involve occasional out of hours and weekend attendance.
• Provides professional space planning and interior design advice, making recommendations, influencing clients on furniture, flooring, window coverings and removals in order to ensure best value for money, sustainability and suitability for purpose in line with strategic plans, current procedures and regulations. Establishes project timescales and produces project brief. Co-ordinates the involvement of external suppliers and consultants as well as other Estates and University departments. Obtains cost estimates from contracted suppliers and others to formulate project budget.
• Uses AutoCAD and SketchUp to produce, update and alter detailed furniture layouts. Designs and produces these layouts based upon the design brief negotiated and agreed with Faculties and Units. Ensures compliance with all systems and processes.
• Provides the University with professional advice on all aspects of space planning including interior design, particularly in the context of colours, finishes and furniture. Keeps abreast of current developments and trends in space planning, health and safety, fire regulations, the Equality Act and other relevant regulations.
• Specifies and procures furniture, flooring, window coverings and removals works for between 1 and circa 500+ staff from within a recurrent budget set each year. Contributes to the annual budget setting process. Utilises the database system to track and manage work.
• Undertakes the preparation and implementation of tenders for new contracts for the provision of furniture, floor coverings and fitting, window coverings and removals services; including liaison with the University Procurement Team. Ensures the efficient running of all contracts including management of contractor’s performance and improvement.
• Leads on the preparation and implementation of utilisation studies, including supervision of temporary staff/consultants, analysis of results, and reporting and presentation of findings. Puts forward ideas on the most efficient use of space incorporating current methods and trends in space planning. Contributes to the strategic space planning process.
• Contributes to the continued development and maintenance of up to date furniture layouts; and furniture and flooring replacement programmes for all properties within the University’s portfolio.
• Contributes to the management of the off-site furniture and carpet store.
• Travel to University premises in the UK Nations & Regional offices including overnight stays (where necessary and as required by business needs).
• Any other duties as directed by the Director of Estates.

About You

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant professional experience with a high standard of written English grammar and mathematics commensurate with the role.
• Excellent knowledge of current developments and trends in space planning, health and safety, fire safety, The Equality Act and other relevant regulations.
• Strong practical experience of interior design refurbishment and project management of space planning moves ranging from single person to multiple departmental moves.
• Advanced working knowledge of AutoCAD, knowledge of SketchUp or equivalent software package and experience of space planning & design in projects.
• Advanced ability to use Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint and experience of using databases to produce management information and reporting.
• Experience of working as an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team with the ability to work unsupervised in an organised, conscientious manner and within a clean and safe working environment.
• Experience in budget management, including preparation, monitoring, and forecasting.
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and customer service skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills when working with estates teams, contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Highly self-motivated and adaptable, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work flexibly, and the ability to carry out the role in a way that is consistent with equality legislation and University policies.

Desirable:

• Experience in the analysis of data for the production of reports and final recommendations.
• Experience of information gathering techniques and the production of written reports.
• Experience in the management of temporary agency staff, external consultants or contractors in the execution of their duties.
• Experience in a Higher Education environment.
• A full UK Driving Licence.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d anticipate this to be a minimum of 3 times per week with one of thos days being a Monday or a Friday. It is also expected that on occasion when necessary and in response to business needs, you will also need to travel to other University premises in the UK, including overnight stays.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

We anticipate that face-to-face interviews for this role will be taking place on-site at our Milton Keynes campus during the week commencing 27 July 2026. 

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.

If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following documents:

• CV
• A personal statement of up to 1000 words. You should set out in your statement why you are interested in the role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job description.

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.