PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

The Design Standards & Governance Lead is responsible for establishing and maintaining workplace and facility design standards across U.S. office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.

This role ensures that all design solutions are consistent, scalable, and aligned with safety, regulatory, and operational requirements, while integrating workplace experience, efficiency, and compliance. The leader serves as a key bridge between design intent and execution, enabling high-quality, standardized outcomes across the portfolio.

This role reports to the Head of US Office, Lab & Plant Real Estate & Corporate Security.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Design Standards & Governance

• Develop, implement, and maintain workplace and facility design standards for U.S. offices, laboratories, and manufacturing sites.
• Ensure consistency, scalability, and quality across all design outputs and project types.
• Establish governance frameworks to guide design decisions, approvals, and compliance.
• Continuously evolve standards to reflect business needs, regulatory changes, and industry best practices.

Design Support & Project Enablement

• Provide design guidance and support for new builds, renovations, relocations, and reconfigurations.
• Review and validate design concepts to ensure alignment with established standards and requirements.
• Support project teams in applying standards consistently across diverse asset types.
• Partner with Design & Space Planning and Construction teams to ensure alignment between standards and execution.

Regulatory, Safety & Operational Alignment

• Ensure all design standards and solutions align with safety, regulatory, and operational requirements, particularly for lab and manufacturing environments.
• Partner with Compliance, EHS, and operational stakeholders to integrate requirements into design frameworks.
• Maintain awareness of evolving regulations and ensure standards are updated accordingly.

Workplace Experience & Efficiency Integration

• Integrate workplace experience principles into design standards, enhancing employee engagement, productivity, and collaboration.
• Drive efficiency through standardization, modularity, and repeatable design solutions.
• Balance user experience with operational functionality and cost considerations.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate closely with Construction, Space Planning, Facilities Management, and Corporate Security teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Ensure design standards incorporate requirements from security, facilities operations, and technical environments.
• Act as a central point of alignment across functions for design-related decisions.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate with Design & Space Planning, Construction, Facilities Management, Corporate Security, IT, and business stakeholders.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on design standards and governance across the portfolio.
• Partner with the Global Real Estate Center of Excellence (CoE) to align with global standards and best practices.
• Support executive reporting and provide insights on design consistency and performance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimal domestic travel is expected for this position.  

SUPERVISION:

• Manages a team of professionals

EDUCATION AND REQUIRED CREDENTIALS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, or related field required
• Advanced degree preferred
• Professional certifications (e.g., AIA, NCIDQ, or equivalent) preferred

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• 10+ years of experience in design, architecture, or real estate design leadership
• Strong experience across multi-asset environments (offices, laboratories, manufacturing)
• Deep understanding of design standards, governance, and regulatory requirements
• Experience integrating safety, compliance, and operational requirements into design frameworks
• Strong collaboration skills across design, construction, and operations teams
• Ability to drive standardization while accommodating specialized requirements
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

If your location allows for pay/benefit transparency, please click the link below to request further information on this position.