Director of Facilities and Space Planning

Arizona State University; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences seeks a Facilities Manager 4 to plan, organize, and direct the operations of the Facilities and Space Planning Department to support its academic, research, and service mission. The role leads long-range facilities and capital planning, aligns with university processes, and provides senior leadership on facilities planning.

This position partners with deans, academic units, and campus partners, supervises staff, manages budgets, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 9 years of experience including 5 years managerial experience.
• Equivalent combination of experience and/or training accepted.
• Strong leadership and strategic facilities planning experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct operations of Facilities and Space Planning.
• Develop long-range facilities and capital planning strategies.
• Lead cross-functional coordination with university partners.
• Provide executive leadership on facilities planning and operations.

Skills

Managerial experience

Strategic planning

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

Space management software

Project management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Profile:

Facilities Manager 4

Job Family:

Facilities Management

Time Type:

Full time

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and nine (9) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including five (5) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Description:

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, and directs the operations of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (The College) Facilities and Space Planning Department to ensure the effective, efficient, and strategic delivery of facilities, space planning, project support, and operational services aligned with the College’s academic, research, and service mission. Develops and implements short- and long-range facilities, space, and capital planning strategies that address The College’s evolving programmatic, research, and operational needs while aligning with University planning processes, capital investment priorities, and institutional policies.

Provides operational leadership for integrating The College’s needs across strategic planning, project planning and delivery, space management, facilities coordination, and administrative support functions to ensure effective resource utilization, consistent service delivery, and continuity of operations. Serves as The College’s principal technical and operational advisor to executive leadership on facilities planning, space management, infrastructure impacts, and capital planning considerations affecting The College’s long-term academic and research objectives. Provides senior technical and managerial leadership for department planning activities, including research facilities programming, space administration, capital project planning and delivery, space administration, and operational coordination.

Serves as The College’s primary liaison with university leadership and operational partners—including Facilities Development and Management, Capital Programs Management Group, Enterprise Planning, Office of the University Architect, Environmental Health & Safety, and other institutional stakeholders to represent and integrate The College’s academic, research, and operational priorities within University planning, capital investment, design, construction, maintenance, and operational processes. Supervises, mentors, develops, and evaluates professional staff while establishing departmental priorities, performance expectations, and professional development opportunities that promote excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Works closely with The College’s Deans and serves as the primary facilities liaison to academic departments, centers, and faculty to assess evolving programmatic needs, develop strategic facilities solutions, and support long-term academic and research objectives.

Salary Range:

$150,000 - $170,000 per year; DOE

Essential Duties:

• Hires, supervises, mentors, develops, and evaluates professional staff; establishes departmental priorities, assigns workloads and resources, and builds organizational capability in facilities planning, project delivery, space management, and operational coordination and customer service.
• Leads the development and implementation of short- and long-range facilities, space, and capital planning strategies by collaborating with The College deans, academic units, research centers, faculty, and university partners to assess programmatic needs, evaluate space utilization, and develop strategic facilities planning recommendations that support executive decision-making, long-range facilities investments, capital planning priorities, and The College’s academic, research, enrollment, and operational objectives.
• Directs the preparation of planning analyses and recommendations, including space utilization studies, occupancy analyses, architectural programming, conceptual planning documents, cost estimates, project schedules, and capital planning recommendations; coordinates participation of The College in facilities assessments and feasibility studies with Enterprise Planning and other university partners; and develops performance metrics, dashboards, and portfolio analyses to support executive decision-making, long-range facilities planning, capital investment priorities, and effective resource allocation.
• Directs the facilities planning and project delivery program of The College, including strategic space planning, architectural programming, research laboratory planning, project scope development, consultant coordination, design review, construction administration, furniture and equipment planning, research relocations, infrastructure coordination, and related planning activities to ensure priorities are effectively represented throughout University planning and project delivery processes.
• Provides operational oversight of The College facilities project portfolio by serving as final departmental technical reviewer of project scopes, programming documents, budgets, schedules, design concepts, and project priorities; provides technical leadership, project governance, quality assurance, mentorship, and risk management for complex renovation and capital projects.
• Oversees The College’s space management program, including space inventory, room data management, occupancy and utilization reporting, temporary space assignments, swing space planning, and backfill planning to support effective stewardship of College space resources.
• Serves as the primary operational liaison with university partner leadership, integrating The College’s planning, operations, projects, and stakeholder engagement needs across Facilities Development & Management, Capital Programs Management Group, Enterprise Planning, Office of the University Architect, Environmental Health & Safety, and other partner organizations.
• Directs and oversees departmental operations, including facilities coordination, space management, maintenance coordination, customer service, stakeholder communications, reporting, and administrative support; develops, recommends, and implements departmental policies, procedures, planning standards, and space management practices consistent with University policies to ensure effective service delivery, organizational alignment, and continuity of operations.
• Develops the department’s operating budget; develops analyses and recommendations supporting capital improvement planning and resource allocation decisions; establishes departmental priorities, allocates resources, and monitors departmental performance in support of strategic objectives.
• Represents The College on university committees, planning initiatives, complex or high-visibility project meetings, safety and security committees, and other facilities-related groups.
• May be required to travel to multiple campuses, work non-traditional hours as operational needs dictate, and respond to facilities-related emergencies.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of administrative, supervisory, and management principles and practices in a complex academic, research, or institutional environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to changing operational demands, analyze complex technical and operational issues, and exercise sound judgment in a collaborative environment.
• Formal degree in planning, construction, architecture, engineering, or related field; proficiency interpreting architectural, engineering, and construction documents.
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic facilities planning, capital planning, space management, organizational planning, and facilities portfolio management
• Strong technical knowledge of building systems, infrastructure, architectural programming, research facility or renovation planning
• Demonstrated knowledge in change management, project governance, and risk management.
• Evidence of effective communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Experience using industry-standard facilities planning and project management technologies, including AutoCAD, Bluebeam, space and project management software, and Microsoft Office applications.

Working Environment:

• Activities are performed in a variety of office, campus, construction, laboratory, and field environments.
• Most work is performed in an environmentally controlled office setting requiring extended periods of sitting, computer use, data analysis, report preparation, and participation in meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Regular travel between university campuses, research facilities, and project sites is required. The position may require work outside normal business hours to support project activities, operational needs, emergency response, or critical facility issues.
• Field activities include project site visits, construction inspections, facility assessments, infrastructure reviews, and coordination meetings that may require walking extended distances; navigating uneven surfaces, active construction sites, laboratories, mechanical spaces, tunnels, rooftops, and confined areas; climbing stairs and ladders; bending, reaching, crouching, crawling, and lifting or moving materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• The position may involve temporary exposure to extreme temperatures, elevated noise levels, dust, mechanical and electrical equipment, hazardous materials, construction activities, and other environmental conditions requiring adherence to established safety procedures and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Department Statement:

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (The College) is the largest college at ASU and is organized in a divisional structure comprised of Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. The atmosphere is collegial, priorities are fluid and demands for assistance come from many directions. This position provides an opportunity to exercise initiative, work with populations and enhance leadership skills.

The College operates in over 60 buildings on the Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, and Polytechnic campuses to serve its educational, research and service missions. The College’s research centers and institutes address large, complex problems and challenges facing society in hopes of finding solutions and making the world a better place. From pursuing cutting-edge research in archaeology and digital antiquity to studying the oldest materials in the solar system and analyzing NASA mission data, our centers and institutes are working toward local, national, and global impact.

Academically, The College offers the greatest choice and diversity of studies of any school at Arizona State University, the largest public university in the United States. In addition to top academic programs, award-winning faculty, and state-of-the-art lab and research facilities, The College offers unique opportunities to explore a vast spectrum of academic disciplines - from science and math to languages and philosophy - that few other colleges and universities can provide. The College has 90+ undergraduate majors and 140+ graduate degrees housed in 23 interdisciplinary schools and departments. The College is redefining liberal arts and sciences education for the 21st century.

Driving Requirement:

Driving is not required for this position.

Location:

Campus: Tempe

Funding:

No Federal Funding

Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience.

ASU Statement:

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation’s fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.

ASU’s comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASU Compensation Estimator

Employment Verification Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement:

A fingerprint check is not required for this position.