Sr Director, Planning; Space Planning & Operations

Sr Director, Planning (Space Planning & Operations)

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 who provide 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.

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.

• 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…