Planner/Architect

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 79,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University is seeking a Planner/Architect to shape Duke's campus through strategic planning, space programming, and master planning. You will lead cross-disciplinary efforts across campus with faculty, staff, and leadership to translate needs into sustainable, inspiring spaces.

You will guide surveys, data collection, and concept development while ensuring alignment with the Duke Master Plan and regulatory requirements. Strong communication and project management are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Planning, Interior Design, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 4 to 6 years of relevant professional experience in planning, architecture, space planning, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience with programming, space planning, design, and master planning within a university, institutional, or complex campus environment.
• Strong understanding of space utilization metrics, benchmarking methodologies, and planning best practices.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite (including InDesign), Microsoft Office Suite, and related planning and design software.
• Strong graphic communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, presentations, planning studies, and recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing demands, and work independently while maintaining a high level of accountability.

Responsibilities

• Partner with campus departments, user groups, and university leadership to understand facility and space needs and translate them into planning solutions.
• Develop space programs, test fits, conceptual plans, and layouts for academic, administrative, and support functions both on and off campus.
• Design and distribute surveys, questionnaires, and data-gathering tools to collect planning and space utilization information.
• Analyze space utilization data and apply industry best practices and planning metrics to support informed decision-making.
• Utilize knowledge of building, accessibility, and regulatory requirements when developing planning concepts and space studies.
• Ensure proposed projects align with Duke University's Master Plan and long-term campus development objectives.
• Support planning committees, working groups, and stakeholder teams by providing planning expertise and recommendations.
• Stay informed on emerging trends, innovative planning practices, higher education pedagogy, and workplace strategies.
• Evaluate existing campus space and planning conditions and recommend solutions that support strategic and facilities planning initiatives.
• Conduct comprehensive space utilization studies and assessments for university clients.
• Assist with the selection and coordination of planning, design, and architectural consultants.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to develop preliminary project budgets and implementation schedules.
• Prepare presentations, reports, graphics, and planning documentation to communicate recommendations and outcomes.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Strong graphic communication

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Presentation skills

Ability to manage multiple projects

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Planning, Interior Design, or a closely related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

InDesign

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As a Planner/Architect, you will play a critical role in shaping the physical environment of one of the nation's leading research universities. You will collaborate with faculty, staff, administrators, and consultants to translate diverse campus needs into thoughtful space, facility, and campus planning solutions that support Duke's academic, research, and operational missions.

As part of the Office of Planning & Design, you will join a multidisciplinary team of professionals with expertise in campus planning, architecture, landscape architecture, space planning, CAD, and GIS. Together, you'll help guide the future of Duke through strategic planning, innovative design, and responsible stewardship of university facilities.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Planning, Interior Design, or a closely related field.

Experience

Minimum of 4 to 6 years of relevant professional experience in planning, architecture, space planning, or a related discipline.

Be Bold.

Help shape the future of Duke's campus through strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and impactful design initiatives. In this role, you will lead planning efforts that transform ideas into functional, sustainable, and inspiring spaces for our campus community.

What You'll Do:

• Partner with campus departments, user groups, and university leadership to understand facility and space needs and translate them into planning solutions.
• Develop space programs, test fits, conceptual plans, and layouts for academic, administrative, and support functions both on and off campus.
• Design and distribute surveys, questionnaires, and data-gathering tools to collect planning and space utilization information.
• Analyze space utilization data and apply industry best practices and planning metrics to support informed decision-making.
• Utilize knowledge of building, accessibility, and regulatory requirements when developing planning concepts and space studies.
• Ensure proposed projects align with Duke University's Master Plan and long-term campus development objectives.
• Support planning committees, working groups, and stakeholder teams by providing planning expertise and recommendations.
• Stay informed on emerging trends, innovative planning practices, higher education pedagogy, and workplace strategies.
• Evaluate existing campus space and planning conditions and recommend solutions that support strategic and facilities planning initiatives.
• Conduct comprehensive space utilization studies and assessments for university clients.
• Assist with the selection and coordination of planning, design, and architectural consultants.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to develop preliminary project budgets and implementation schedules.
• Prepare presentations, reports, graphics, and planning documentation to communicate recommendations and outcomes.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Planning, Interior Design, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 4 to 6 years of relevant professional experience in planning, architecture, space planning, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience with programming, space planning, design, and master planning within a university, institutional, or complex campus environment.
• Strong understanding of space utilization metrics, benchmarking methodologies, and planning best practices.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite (including InDesign), Microsoft Office Suite, and related planning and design software.
• Strong graphic communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, presentations, planning studies, and recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing demands, and work independently while maintaining a high level of accountability.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll have the opportunity to help shape a world-class campus that supports innovation, discovery, learning, and community. Your work will directly influence how students, faculty, staff, and visitors experience Duke's spaces today and in the future.

Join a collaborative team that values creativity, strategic thinking, inclusion, and professional growth while making a lasting impact on one of higher education's most dynamic environments.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $79,456.00 to USD $127,090.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goesbeyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).