Senior Planner at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Harvard University


Position Title: Senior Planner

Req ID: 67619BR

School or Unit: Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Description: Job Summary

The Office of Physical Resources & Planning (OPRP) provides complete and integrated planning and design services, construction management, and building renewal, maintenance, and operations management to maintain the physical resources of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences (FAS) campus.

The Senior Planner is responsible for the management of the planning and design associated with the capital projects within the Undergraduate House Renewal Program. The goal of Harvard University's Undergraduate House Renewal Program is to re-configure each House to meet the complex needs of today's students, relieve overcrowding, improve privacy, and comply with current building codes. The renovations aim to enhance program spaces to support students' academic and social development better and upgrade outdated building systems and infrastructure.

Position Description

The Senior Planner serves as a senior strategic partner responsible for the oversight of the initial planning and full design services for each House Renewal project.

• Management of the space program and ensure the project design meets the target House Renewal program
  • Ensure each project adheres to the programmatic goals of the College and the House Renewal space standards. This responsibility pertains to all areas of the House, including residential, program, academic, and outdoor space.
  • Ensure the goals of the House are met, to the greatest extent possible, while fitting within the HPPC (House Program and Planning Committee) program. Work with the Faculty Deans, Senior Project Managers, architects and planning team to manage expectations and ensure that the goals of all parties are met.
• Oversee the planning and design elements of each House Renewal project, allowing the Senior Project Manager to focus more on physical construction, budget, risk assessment, schedule, project controls, warranties, closeout, etc.
• Management of the Assistant Program Planning Manager; advise this position responsible for the oversight of space standards, document changes to the space program, and program-wide statistics
• Lead processes to conduct feasibility and utilization studies, often in partnership with Senior Project Managers, with primary responsibility for program development, options assessment, and as liaison to future users. This includes but is not limited to documenting project/program requirements for new or changing programs, preparing requests for proposals, participating in the designer selection process, overseeing stakeholder engagement and program confirmation, and ensuring program goals are addressed through all stages of design. Provide staff support and guidance to Client Committees for larger-scale studies and capital projects. Organize agendas, and oversee consultant work and interactions with stakeholders.
• Provide updates to and coordinate with other parties across the University on behalf of the project and serve as a contact point for the project ("client relations")
  • Communicate regularly with Faculty Deans, the College, senior administrators, and staff. Develop and maintain relationships with the project clients.
    • Coordinate proactively with the Development Office
      • Donor Naming Opportunities
      • Donor Signage
• Assist Director of House Renewal
  • Draft memos and communications to key stakeholders, inclusive of Executive Committee and Corporation Facilities Committee
  • Support in strategizing and planning for high-level presentations
  • Strategize on program-wide planning initiatives
• Serve on cross-school or cross-University committees as the need arises

Basic Qualifications

• BA/BS.
• Minimum of eight years of experience in space planning and management at an institution of higher education or professional school.
• Higher education experience working directly with faculty in program design and assessment for capital projects.
• The position requires familiarity with space utilization standards and the ability to assess the effectiveness of existing and proposed space configurations and adjacencies to support academic and administrative program goals.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The position demands excellent organizational and project management skills, and the ability to work independently and attend to multiple projects simultaneously. Must demonstrate the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion, work collaboratively and creatively with a wide range of people, present information clearly in oral and written form, and build consensus, and have strong interpersonal skills and a problem-solving orientation.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite; familiarity with Centerstone or other space management database systems, and facility with graphic design software helpful.

Working Conditions

Work is done in an office setting.

Additional Information

We regret that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

#LI-CK1

Department Office Location: USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code: 330059 Facilities & Oper SrSpecialist

Job Function: Facilities

Work Format: On-Site

Sub Unit: Administration and Finance

Salary Grade: 059

Department: Office of Physical Resources and Planning


Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status: Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening: Criminal, Education, Identity

Schedule: 9-5

Commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging: Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EOE Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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