Campus Planner

University at Buffalo; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University at Buffalo is seeking a Campus Planner to support campus planning and space management aligning with the university's strategic goals. Reporting to the Campus Planning Manager, the role focuses on shaping the physical campus to enhance academic, research, and community missions.

Responsibilities include master planning, space utilization analysis, and early project development. Strong collaboration with faculty and administrative units is essential to translate needs into

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, planning, interior design or related field with 2 years of experience in building programming, project management, space planning and master planning.
• Authorized to work in the United States by start date. The University at Buffalo does not guarantee sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Assist in development and implementation of campus master plans aligning infrastructure with institutional goals.
• Contribute to planning efforts to adapt facilities to evolving academic and operational needs.
• Conduct assessments of space utilization and recommend optimization strategies.
• Support planning for new construction, renovations, and expansions aligned with priorities.
• Collaborate with faculty and administrative units to translate needs into programmatic plans.
• Analyze data on space utilization and enrollment trends to inform planning.
• Prepare and share insights with stakeholders to support evidence-based decisions.
• Serve as the planner during early project development phases and lead program development with stakeholders.
• Provide university support for capital projects during program development and verification.
• Coordinate with end users to translate needs into programmatic requirements.
• Verify program accuracy through stakeholder interviews and workshops.

Skills

Space planning

Project coordination

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, planning, interior design or related degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Classification Title Assistant Facilities Program Coordinator

The Office of Campus Planning seeks a Campus Planner to support campus planning and space management initiatives aligned with the University’s strategic goals. Reporting to the Campus Planning Manager, this position will focus on shaping the physical campus environment to enhance the institution’s academic, research, and community missions.

The Campus Planner role includes, but is not limited to the following responsibilities:

• Assist in the development and implementation of campus master plans, aligning physical infrastructure with institutional goals.
• Contribute to planning efforts to ensure campus facilities adapt to evolving academic and operational needs.
• Conduct assessments of space utilization and recommend strategies for optimization.
• Support planning for new construction, renovations, and expansions that align with academic and research priorities.
• Collaborate with faculty and administrative units to translate programmatic needs into actionable plans.
• Analyze data on space utilization, enrollment trends, and other metrics to inform planning recommendations.
• Prepare and share insights with stakeholders to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Serve as the planner during early project development phases.
• Lead and facilitate program development processes with stakeholders to define project scope, goals, and requirements.
• Provide University support for capital projects administered by the SUNY Construction Fund during program development and verification phase.
• Coordinate with faculty and administrative units and other end users/occupants to understand their needs and translate their needs into programmatic requirements.
• Conduct validation and benchmarking of space requirements against institutional standards and peer data.
• Conduct site assessments to compile necessary measurements and data.
• Verify program accuracy through stakeholder interviews, workshops, and utilization analysis.
• Identify risks, gaps, and scope inconsistencies during program verification.
• Provide detailed program documentation to support design and budgeting phases.
• Develop project scopes and justifications to obtain cost estimates for rehabilitation projects.
• Ensure all program elements align with master plans, capital plans, and funding constraints.
• Work with Design & Construction staff to ensure compliance with building codes, accessibility standards, and safety regulations.

Design Phase Support

• Integrate planning principles and knowledge into project scope and implementation strategies to ensure alignment from concept through execution.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, and project managers during early project phases.
• Develop adjacency diagrams, blocking plans, and conceptual layouts.
• Prepare and present program and layout proposals to stakeholders.
• Facilitate approvals and maintain documentation through design development.
• Review design documents, provide written professional comments during review periods, and address any discrepancy or issues to ensure design meets the needs established during the program phase.

Campus-Community Engagement

• Assist in fostering partnerships with local governments, businesses, and community organizations to support shared development initiatives.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure planning efforts consider the needs and values of the surrounding community.
• Collaborate with various departments to align planning efforts.
• Build relationships across the University to understand diverse needs and foster effective communication.

To succeed in this role, the Campus Planner should demonstrate strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication abilities and a proactive mindset to navigate planning initiatives effectively within a dynamic environment.

Working at UB comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards including comprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also focus on creating and sustaining a healthy mix of work, personal and academic pursuit – all in an effort to support your work-life effectiveness. Visit our benefits website to learn about our benefit packages.

About The University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America’s leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home, UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others every day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree is required in architecture, planning, interior design or related degree with 2 years of experience involving building programming, project management, space planning and master planning.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States by their start date. The University at Buffalo does not guarantee that it will sponsor, support, or otherwise assist with obtaining work authorization.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master’s degree with 3 years experience working within a higher education institution involving programming, project management, space planning and master planning.

Physical Demands

The position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods; move throughout campus to attend meetings and conduct site visits; perform inspections; and occasionally move or transport light materials, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Driving Requirements

Driving Requirements Driving is not a required duty for this position. Employees who choose to operate university vehicles for business purposes must be enrolled in the LENS program to verify a valid Class D driver’s license.

Salary Range

75,000 - 85,000

Additional Salary Information

The salary range reflects our good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, the role and associated responsibilities, and the experience, education, and training of the selected candidate.

Job Type

Full-Time

Campus

All Campuses

Background Check Required

Yes

Background Check Notification

For non-internal applicants: a selected candidate will have to complete and pass a background check prior to appointment.

Number of References Required

3

UB is an EOE and welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Arrangements will be made if an applicant has a disability in order to provide access to the application, interview and selection process upon request. Reasonable accommodation requests must be made in a timely manner by email at [e-mail] or by phone [phone].