Director, Planning and Design

Yale NewHaven Health; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale NewHaven Health in New Haven, CT, is seeking a Director of Planning & Design to lead planning initiatives across the academic health system. This role requires oversight of master planning, space programming, and design standards, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in healthcare planning and is a licensed architect with leadership capabilities. This role involves collaboration with senior leaders to direct planning decisions and oversee building projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years' experience in planning at an academic medical center.
• Minimum of 5 years in a leadership role overseeing planning and design functions.
• Applicant must be a licensed architect.

Responsibilities

• Champion long-term vision and strategic direction for campus planning and design.
• Align physical planning efforts with organizational goals and financial frameworks.
• Lead creation and execution of comprehensive master plans and design guidelines.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and clinical stakeholders.
• Direct internal planning teams and external consultants.
• Provide oversight of project scope, cost estimates, and timelines.
• Ensure compliance with building codes and healthcare-specific regulatory requirements.
• Develop and refine architectural, MEP, and furniture standards.
• Represent planning and design function in executive leadership briefings.

Skills

Strategic Visioning

Leadership & Team Development

Stakeholder Engagement

Technical Expertise

Analytical Thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in architecture or a related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Overview

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

The Director of Planning & Design for Facilities Planning, Design and Construction is responsible for leading the strategic vision, development, and execution of planning and design initiatives across the academic health system. This role oversees master planning, space programming, facilities standards, and the development of construction documents, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, regulatory standards, and operational needs. This role works closely with the Director of Capital Planning to ensure that planning efforts support system-wide strategic priorities and capital investment goals. This position also manages the user group process, validates project scope and budgets throughout design, and ensures adherence to architectural, MEP, finish, and furniture design standards. The Director is a licensed architect with deep experience in healthcare planning and design. The Director of Planning and Design has direct oversight of the Senior Manager of Design, Senior Planners and Planners, and reports directly to the Executive Director of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

Responsibilities

• Champion the long-term vision and strategic direction for campus planning and design, ensuring alignment with organizational mission, values, and future growth objectives.
• Align physical planning efforts with broader organizational goals, system strategic priorities, and financial frameworks to support sustainable and impactful capital development.
• Lead the creation, maintenance, and execution of comprehensive master plans, design guidelines, and planning policies that promote consistency, innovation, and excellence in the built environment.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, clinical stakeholders, and external partners to guide planning decisions, ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and alignment with institutional needs.
• Direct internal planning teams and external consultants, optimizing resource allocation, performance, and project outcomes through effective leadership, contract management, and operational oversight.
• Provide expert oversight and validation of project scope, cost estimates, and timelines from schematic design through construction documentation. Ensure alignment with institutional priorities, risk mitigation strategies, and lifecycle cost considerations to support successful project delivery.
• Lead efforts to ensure all planning and design activities comply with applicable building codes, ADA standards, FGI Guidelines, and healthcare-specific regulatory requirements. Proactively monitor changes in regulations and integrate best practices to uphold safety, accessibility, and operational excellence.
• Develop, implement, and continuously refine architectural, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), interior finish, and furniture standards. Ensure consistency, quality, and sustainability across all capital projects, while supporting innovation and adaptability to evolving institutional needs.
• Represent the planning and design function in executive leadership briefings, governance committees, and external partnerships. Provide strategic insight and technical expertise to inform decision-making, foster alignment, and advance institutional planning objectives.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in architecture or a related field required. Master's degree is preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 15 years' experience in planning at an academic medical center. Minimum of 5 years in a leadership role overseeing planning and design functions.

LICENSURE

• Applicant must be a licensed architect.

SPECIAL SKILLS

• Strategic Visioning: Ability to translate institutional goals into physical planning strategies.
• Leadership & Team Development: Skilled in managing multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal skills to lead user groups and communicate with executive leadership.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of healthcare planning, design standards, and regulatory frameworks.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to validate scope, budgets, and design feasibility with a data-informed approach.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

• Moderate physical effort: intermittent standing, walking, and reaching is required without assistance. Close computer work with intense concentration more than half of the day. Ability to discern color, ability to hear conversations and telephone communications clearly. The physical working environment will be a well-lit and ventilated office space with a work area and access to plotters, scanners, and printers. Part time working environment will require visits to construction and renovation sites. Applicant must be able to navigate sites under construction including stairs and ladders unassisted.

YNHHS Requisition ID 181374