Senior Campus Planner

Senior Campus Planner is responsible for project initiation, including review of alignment with university strategic planning, space programming, and project feasibility, budget and schedule development. This position assists in the project approvals process and in project implementation, starting in the pre-design phase through occupancy.  

Senior Campus Planner plans and coordinates all tasks, critical dates, campus client relations, performance quality and customer satisfaction, budget and project management, and administration for each assigned project. This role coordinates work completion by internal teams and third-party service providers such as design firms and consultants.

This position will report to the Assistant Vice President of Campus Planning and Design with an indirect reporting line to the Vice President of Campus Planning and Design. 

Responsibilities

 Campus and Space Planning

• Understands the needs and advocates for functional and achievable solutions within the institutional context.
• Provides high level expertise and assistance on all aspects of campus and space planning.
• Applies advanced planning concepts and objectives to resolve complex space planning issues.
• Develops short- and long-range plans related to campus environment and assists in providing relevant data for capital budgeting.
• Leads feasibility studies for capital projects and major renovations as well as campus development projects.
• Evaluates space needs, develops space programs, and recommends alternative solutions/strategies.
• Responsible for pre-project planning including program development, test fits, application of space allocation metrics, preliminary cost estimates, identification of initial code and zoning requirements, schedule, enabling constraints, and campus impact.
• Develops and/or collaborates with consultants in the development of detailed program documents that serve as the basis for project scoping and design.
• Assists in developing capital project scopes, budgets, and timelines.
• Prepares reports and presentations on complex planning issues.
• Assists in the development of the University’s comprehensive plan. 

Project Management

• Independently manages assigned planning projects. Develops project narratives, budgets, schedules, and other reporting and managing documents.
• Provides subject matter and expertise regarding campus planning, space planning, space allocation during appropriate project phases
• Develops project scopes; prepares RFQs/RFPs; participates in and organizes selection of planning, architectural, landscape design, and engineering firms.
• Assists in preparation, execution, management, and/or amendment of contract agreements with awarded external consultants, architects, contractors, vendors, and other professionals in collaboration with Legal Affairs and Risk Management. 

Data Analysis and Studies

• Collaborates with GIS/space inventory manager, other unit partners, and campus partners in utilizing data and space related databases. 
• Provides analyses related to allocation, reallocation, and utilization of space.
• Provides relevant data to support space planning for of the campus, and capital projects and major renovations. 

 Outreach and Collaboration

• Collaborates closely with the campus planning team on projects and initiatives across the University’s portfolio.
• Provides outreach to campus constituents on planning projects.
• Advances campus accessibility and inclusion goals and objectives.
• Collaborates with users to determine needs, scope of work, and makes recommendations on space planning for capital projects and tenant improvement projects.
• Assists and coordinates with consultants to address state and federal permitting requirements.
• Liaises with permitting officials and recommends course of action during project entitlement phase.
• Collaborates with and provides direction to assigned coordination staff.  

Quality Control and Standards

• Develops campus planning and space planning related guidelines and standards. 
• Assists in the development and updating of architectural, construction, and interior design standards, guidelines and specifications that are consistent with the University strategic master plan and goals.
• Conducts quality control reviews of project documents to ensure consistency with campus planning and space planning guidelines and standards.
• Contributes to architectural quality and design excellence through the lens of space planning.  

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads and manages planning documents reviews by the appropriate and relevant campus departments, including but not limited to Facilities Management, IS&T, Risk Management/ Environmental Health & Safety, Fire & Life Safety, Parking & Transportation, and Public Safety.
• Coordinates internal approvals from appropriate parties as required.
• Assists during coordination with Facilities Management on projects related to occupant relocations and move-ins.  

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in architecture, physical planning, or other closely related field.
• Seven (7) years of experience in managing planning and/or major capital projects, including facilities planning, programming, pre-design, comprehensive campus planning, and space planning, preferably on institutional or large-scale projects. 
• Demonstrates ability to work with a diverse workforce and population and to respect and value differences. An ability and commitment to work effectively in a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. 
• Knowledge of local building codes, ADA Accessibility Guidelines, zoning and entitlements, and related regulations. 
• Experience and ability to develop and apply space planning guidelines and standards. 
• Skills in effective use of applicable technology/systems (i.e., AutoCAD, ARCHIBUS, ESRI ArcGIS, FME Platform, PeopleSoft, 25Live, Campus Solutions, and other space data software).  
• Strong verbal, written, and graphic communication skills. 
• Ability to support a mission and strategic vision
• Instructional, training, and teambuilding skills to strengthen and cultivate relationships.