Head of Spaces

About the Role:

As Head of Spaces based in London, you will be responsible for ensuring our teams operate in environments that are not only functional and safe—but scalable, adaptable, and built for the pace of high-growth product development. From brownfield build-outs to continuous upgrades, you will translate company-wide requirements into fit-for-purpose, high-performance facilities.

You will own the planning, delivery, and management of all physical environments that enable engineering and company operations—from collaborative workspaces and lab floors to test zones and logistics areas. You will lead brownfield and retrofit programmes across our sites, ensuring they meet the exacting needs of modern robotics engineering

This is a highly cross-functional, technically grounded leadership role. You’ll partner with hardware, software, and operations teams to turn functional requirements into physical reality—ensuring that space never becomes a blocker to speed, safety, or innovation.

This role also includes accountability for general office management, including oversight of our workplace operations team and front-of-house function. You’ll ensure the daily experience in each site reflects our culture and values—providing a seamless, well-run environment for employees, visitors, and partners.

What You’ll Do:

Facility Strategy & Planning

• Define and lead the physical environment strategy across lab, workspace, test, integration, prototype manufacturing, and office areas
• Translate functional and technical requirements from all parts of the business into clear, scalable space plans
• Lead site assessments, feasibility studies, and future planning across global locations
• Develop and maintain design standards for our labs and shared workspaces 

Programme Delivery (Brownfield & Fit-Out)

• Own the full lifecycle of facility programmes: scoping, budgeting, planning, contractor management, delivery, and commissioning
• Oversee brownfield upgrades to enable evolving R&D, prototype manufacturing, and testing needs
• Manage external architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants
• Coordinate delivery timelines with product, hiring, and operational roadmaps

Prototype Manufacturing & Lab Readiness

• Ensure infrastructure supports mechatronics-heavy workflows including actuator assembly, sub-system integration, electronics rework, and test rig operation
• Define layouts and utility requirements (power, ESD, ventilation, compressed air, equipment mounting, etc.) for in-house prototyping and low-volume builds
• Establish protocols for safe operation, material flow, and flexible reconfiguration of physical spaces

Office Operations & Workplace Experience

• Lead general office and workplace management across all global sites
• Oversee a dedicated office and reception team, ensuring smooth daily operations, visitor experience, and front-of-house service
• Maintain a welcoming, professional, and functional workplace aligned with our culture and operational rhythm
• Partner with People and IT to ensure workspaces support hybrid collaboration, new joiner onboarding, and employee well-being

Facility Operations & Lifecycle Management

• Set up and oversee systems for space allocation, access control, maintenance, and infrastructure monitoring
• Lead improvements in facility uptime, utilisation, safety, and team experience
• Manage shared infrastructure including lab services, AV, security, physical IT, and environment monitoring
• Maintain compliance with local codes, safety regulations, and relevant R&D standards

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with stakeholders across engineering, manufacturing, people, logistics, IT, and workplace operations
• Work with executive leadership to develop long-term facilities strategy, capital planning, and space forecasting
• Represent facilities in company-wide planning processes, including headcount growth and program milestones
• Drive alignment between physical infrastructure and company objectives

We’re Looking For:

• 10+ years of experience in facilities, technical operations, or capital project delivery in R&D or advanced manufacturing environments
• Proven track record managing brownfield retrofits and complex fit-out programmes
• Strong technical understanding of infrastructure requirements for labs, prototype manufacturing, and mixed-use technical spaces
• Experience overseeing general office operations, reception, and workplace experience functions
• Fluency across building systems (power, HVAC, ventilation, ESD, security, etc.) and health & safety best practices
• Highly organised, delivery-focused, and skilled in leading cross-functional capital programmes from start to finish

Nice to have

• Experience in robotics, aerospace, automation, or electromechanical product development
• Familiarity with ISO/cleanroom environments, build/test zones, or controlled lab standards
• Track record building or scaling physical infrastructure in high-growth organisations
• Experience with real estate strategy, landlord/tenant negotiations, or hybrid campus models