Senior Facilities Planner

Job Description

The Facility Services Department (FSD) is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory complex in support of the research mission. It also furnishes the design, engineering, and construction needs of the Laboratory, addressing its ever-changing program requirements. The department's overarching goal is to provide prompt, quality service in a wide spectrum of responsibilities in compliance with state and federal codes, and manage many services that impact the workplace quality of life for the Laboratory's population. FSD is seeking a motivated and creative Sr. Planner to support the department in its mission to ensure a productive stewardship of critical resources for physical space and design.

The Sr. Facilities Planner serves as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) in workplace planning, ensuring that Enterprise space requirements align with strategic objectives and governance set forth by the Space Utilization Board (SUB). This role is responsible for leading and optimizing all five phases of the space management lifecycle, driving efficient utilization, adaptability, and future-readiness of physical space. The Space Planner collaborates with the Space Points of Contact (POCs) from each Technical Division and Service Department, business leaders, facilities teams, and other key stakeholders to facilitate data-driven decisions that enhance purposeful workplace functionality, employee experience, and long-term sustainability.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience.
• Experience leading space planning initiatives, portfolio optimization, workplace strategy, and occupancy analytics in highly regulated or secure environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior leadership on facilities strategy and organizational change initiatives.
• Background working in highly regulated, secure, laboratory, or government environments.
• Proven capacity to quickly learn, adapt to, and effectively leverage new or upgraded software platforms, planning tools, and technology systems to enhance facilities analysis, reporting, and operational performance.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Masters preferred, in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.  Ability to work with all levels of management and consultants. 
• Brings deep industry knowledge and expertise in workplace design, space utilization principles and facility planning.
• Strong knowledge of architecture, engineering, construction and project management principles.
• Familiarity with building codes and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to provide creative and innovative solutions.
• Process improvement experience and implementing change.
• Proficient in Bluebeam, OpenBlue (FM Systems), Revit, AutoCAD, PowerPoint, Excel, Power BI and Procore.
• Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and advanced critical thinking skills, with the ability to anticipate downstream impacts, analyze data sets, and develop comprehensive, forward-looking facilities strategies.

Areas of Responsibility

• Directly reporting to Manager of Facilities Planning and assisting with strategic planning initiatives and project planning.
• Conduct briefings for internal clients and Laboratory Leadership.
• Leads feasibility and planning exercises of facilities projects that involve changes to the workplace, ensuring that they meet the specific needs of the organization, the Enterprise, and follow state & federal codes.
• Collaborates with Space POCs and stakeholders to define project requirements, develop conceptual plans, assess operational and cost impacts, and integrate recommendations with the Enterprise Master Plan.
• Conducts regular reviews of how spaces are being used to identify underutilized areas, aligning findings with Enterprise policies and guidelines to maximize space effectiveness and provide actionable insights.
• Ensuring that facilities related data is accurate, accessible, and useful for decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Lead the formal hand-off of fully developed and approved planning packages to the Execution Team (Project Management and Engineering/Architecture), ensuring clear scope definition, documented assumptions, budget alignment, and design intent, while providing ongoing follow-up, clarification, and active support throughout design and construction to maintain alignment with the original planning objectives.

Working Conditions

• Option of office-based or hybrid.