Sr Director, Planning (Space Planning & Operations)

Job Details

Sr Director, Planning (Space Planning & Operations)

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title
Sr Director, Planning (Space Planning & Operations)

Job Profile Title
Director D, Facilities

Job Description Summary
The Sr Director of Planning is the senior administrative leader and functional subject matter expert for the Perelman School of Medicine ("PSOM") campus architectural, design, and planning initiatives. This position oversees a team of architect planners whose work provides counsel and support to the PSOM Dean's Office, including the Senior Vice Dean of Finance & Operations, the Chief Scientific Officer, all Research and Medical Educational Department Chairs and staff as an expert advisor for PSOM facilities planning and design excellence.

The Space Planning and Operations organization serves as the facilities management arm of PSOM working in full partnership with University and Health System facilities service providers of design & construction project management, as well as operations & maintenance for on-campus, leased properties, and PSOM space within health system buildings. The University Facilities & Real Estate Services (FRES) and University of Pennsylvania Health System Real Estate, Design & Construction (REDC) are the two primary facilities management service providers for which daily liaison and partnership are critical. Other key partners having jurisdiction on campus and for which liaison is important include Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS), Fire and Emergency Services (FES), University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR).

The Senior Director of Planning collaborates with and between internal and external parties to provide strategic direction and oversight for PSOM facilities master planning. The position oversees staff preparation and presentation of space plans accommodating wet and dry biomedical laboratory research, academic teaching and support space for faculty recruitment, larger departmental space reconfigurations and building renovations, including new fit-outs and new construction to senior leadership, ensuring alignment with long-term institutional goals in partnership with the Dean's key administrators.

The Senior Director oversees the analysis of need, programming, capital project formation and feasibility analysis, interiors planning, scope and budget estimate development for project initiation, and sustainability for PSOM facilities-related initiatives. The position works in close collaboration with the PSOM and SPO leadership and cross-functional teams, translating strategic priorities into actionable plans, measurable outcomes, and sustainable operational frameworks to ensure effective use of facility resources, providing planning analysis, and developing design and implementation solutions that meet operational, research, and educational needs at the School and University levels.

This position is considered "essential."

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and supervise the planning team in supporting the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of the PSOM's strategic plan across its ~2.9M NSF built environment campus.
• Align academic and research priorities with institutional and health system strategies for basic science and clinical departments as well as research core facilities.
• Facilitate long-range planning processes, including multi-year academic, faculty, space, projections that consider facility renewal, operational alignment, and overall life-cycle cost of physical resources.
• Collaborate with department chairs and program directors on growth modeling and program evaluation.
• Support accreditation planning (LCME, etc.) and ensure strategic alignment with regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Finance to develop multi-year financial models, capital planning strategies, and ROI analyses for major initiatives.
• Lead scenario planning and risk assessment for faculty recruitment, vivaria space resources, specialized laboratories (CLIA, GLP, etc.), funding shifts, etc.
• Coordinate academic and research space planning, aligned with the SPO leadership in collaboration with both University Facilities and Health System partners (FRES and REDC) providing design & construction project management and operations & maintenance services to PSOM.
• Build strong partnerships with PSOM academic and research departments, university leadership, the health system leadership, and external partners and stakeholders.
• Build and lead a high-performing planning and analytics team. Leverage and develop the talent of the Planning Team and continually lead the pursuit of enhanced synergies and connections within SPO and PSOM, as well as with the greater University and Health System partners and stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of service-oriented collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Present planning proposals and capital strategies to senior leadership and Board committees on a recurring basis.
• Oversee the management of floor plans and space data related to all School space assets (owned and leased) on all campus locations.
• Consider, define, and revise as required space standards and work in partnership with interiors team on furniture concepts and selections.
• Lead PSOM sustainability initiatives in coordination with University and Health System campus planning partners in alignment with the University climate action plan, advancing PSOM specific goals.

Education: Bachelor's degree in architecture or related field is preferred, or equivalent work experience required. Master's degree is preferred.

Professional Experience: 7-10 years required. 10+ preferred of relevant work experience preferably in a medical school or academic environment

Job Knowledge and Personal Skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Significant leadership experience and solid people skills. Accurate and precise, organized, and willing to follow procedures/regimen. Ability to manage concurrent projects while meeting project deadlines and navigating a political landscape with internal and external stakeholders. Ensures accountability, demonstrates self-awareness and resilience, and values differences. Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage conflict and ambiguity. Nimble learning and self-development skills. Ability to work in a collaborative environment and instill trust with supervisor, peers, and constituents.
• Dynamic leader with excellent communication skills. Outstanding organizational skills, resilience, and an inclusive attitude. Understands the commitment to client service, and desire to work within a diverse, collaborative, and professional environment. A self-motivated professional, who can work independently. Ability to work with a team, build relationships, and interact effectively with diverse stakeholder groups. Flexible enough to adapt to shifting priorities. Ability to effectively manage time, prioritize deliverables, organize workload.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (MS Project, PowerPoint, & Excel)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The Perelman School of Medicine is a multi-building research and teaching complex with emphasis on biomedical research. As such, and to ensure successful fulfillment of its mission (research and education), the School Community requires a much higher level of support service delivery than usually experienced in a typical academic environment. Problems that would be mere annoyances in some facilities have the potential of destroying thousands of dollars and months or years of often-irreplaceable work. The Department of Space Planning & Operations is responsible for coordinating and assuring uninterrupted delivery of the necessary utility and other support services.

All employees of the Space Planning & Operations department are considered "essential."

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range
$133,000.00 - $200,000.00 Annual Rate