Senior Space Planner

Department: Facilities & Campus Operations

Classification: Program Admin Specialist 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience - $125,000 max

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University Facilities & Campus Operations ensures a quality physical environment supporting the mission of the university. We will be the technical and business experts of choice with the total trust and confidence of our students, faculty, and staff.

About the Position:

The Senior Space Planner supports strategic and operational space planning across George Mason University campuses, including Fairfax, Manassas, Arlington, and satellite locations. Reporting to the Director of Interior and Space Planning, this role plays a key part in evaluating space needs, analyzing utilization data, and coordinating space assignments and moves. The Space Planner is the primary data owner and user of George Mason’s space management platforms, ensuring data integrity and usability to support decision-making. While not responsible for IT administration, the Space Planner works closely with Facilities IT and other stakeholders to ensure systems meet planning needs.

Responsibilities:

Space Planning & Analysis:

• Collaborate with the Director to manage space requests, including reviewing requests and developing recommendations aligned with institutional priorities. Prepare documentation, including justification, options, and recommendations, for review by the Space Administration Committee; 
• Ensure collaboration with project managers and move coordinators to assess space needs, assign space, and coordinate moves across academic, administrative, and research units;
• Analyze space utilization data to identify inefficiencies, consolidation opportunities, and areas for reallocation or redesign;
• Develop space programs and concept diagrams that reflect unit needs, institutional priorities, and progressive space use models (e.g., shared workspaces, hoteling, hybrid work);
• Conduct space feasibility assessments, including adjacency studies, occupancy modeling, and fit plans;
• Support the development of long-term space plans as part of the annual budget cycle, incorporating historical context, leadership vision, and competing priorities; 
• Participate in planning meetings with unit stakeholders to gather requirements, document space needs, and propose solutions; and
• Maintain awareness of industry benchmarks and trends in higher education space planning to inform recommendations.

Space Data Management & Software Use:

• Ensure space data supports the Director’s strategic planning efforts by maintaining accuracy and providing actionable insights within Archibus and Lambent. The records shall be accurate and up-to-date space records, including room attributes, occupancy, departmental assignments, and utilization metrics;
• Coordinate with Facilities IT and external consultants on software upgrades, integrations, and enhancements from a user perspective;
• Collaborate with Facilities IT to ensure space standards and guidelines are documented and integrated into planning workflows;
• Create and maintain dashboards, reports, and visualizations using Archibus, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Teams to support space planning and executive decision-making;
• Develop and deliver user training for departmental Archibus users and support onboarding of new users; and
• Document and implement continuous process improvements in space data workflows and reporting. 

Reporting & Surveys:

• Prepare recurring and ad-hoc reports, graphics, and presentations for internal stakeholders, including space utilization metrics, occupancy data, and planning scenarios;
• Support the bi-annual SCHEV Space Inventory and Classroom Utilization reporting in coordination with Institutional Effectiveness and Planning;
• Assist with Facilities & Administrative (F&A) audits and functionalization surveys in collaboration with Fiscal Services;
• Lead or support twice-yearly academic and administrative unit location inventory audits, ensuring data accuracy and completeness; and
• Respond to data requests from university committees, leadership, and external agencies, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as a key liaison to academic and administrative units for space planning and data validation;
• Collaborate with the Interiors and Space Planning team to coordinate moves, renovations, and space assignments;
• Facilitate discussions with unit stakeholders to understand operational needs, constraints, and long-term goals;
• Translate stakeholder input into actionable planning documents and visual presentations for executive review;
• Communicate planning recommendations and committee decisions to stakeholders in coordination with the Director; and
• Support space-related initiatives and committee work as assigned by the Director. 

Other Related Duties as Assigned:

• Related tasks assigned by the supervisor and department head.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Generally, a minimum of 5 years of experience in space planning, facilities data management, or related functions in higher education, corporate, or institutional settings;
• Demonstrated knowledge of space management software such as Archibus, AutoCAD, or similar platforms;
• Demonstrated knowledge of space utilization metrics and how to apply them to planning decisions;
• Skill in analyzing space data and translating findings into actionable recommendations;
• Skill in managing complex datasets and maintaining accurate records;
• Skill in coordinating space assignments and moves in collaboration with project managers and move coordinators;
• Skill in developing space programs, concept diagrams, and feasibility assessments;
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including academic and administrative units;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to synthesize complex data into executive-level presentations and infographics; and
• Ability to support continuous improvement in space planning processes and technologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• B.S. in interior design preferred;
• Experience working in a higher education environment;
• Experience supporting move coordination and space assignment processes;
• Knowledge of SCHEV reporting requirements and F&A functionalization audits; and
• Familiarity with GIS, Lambent, eBuilder, and Microsoft Teams integration for space planning.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Senior Space Planner at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application, including three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Posting Open Date:  September 16, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  September 30, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes