Senior Space Planner

Cooperative Education; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Winter break benefit

Tuition assistance (up to 12 credits)

Commuter transit benefit

VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan

Patriot Perks discounts

Health, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

George Mason University is seeking a Senior Space Planner to lead strategic and operational space planning across campuses, including Fairfax, Manassas, Arlington. Reporting to the Director, you will evaluate space needs, analyze utilization data, and coordinate space assignments and moves.

You will be the data owner for space management platforms, ensure data integrity, and collaborate with Facilities IT and other stakeholders to align planning with institutional priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience.
• 5+ years in space planning or facilities data.
• Experience with Archibus or AutoCAD.
• Ability to analyze space data and make recommendations.
• Strong report writing and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage space requests and develop recommendations.
• Coordinate moves across units.
• Analyze utilization data to identify inefficiencies.
• Develop space programs and feasibility plans.
• Create dashboards and reports.
• Lead or support space audits and inventories.

Skills

Space planning

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Archibus

AutoCAD

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Department: Facilities & Campus Operations

Classification: Program Admin Specialist 1

Job Category:Classified Staff

Job Type:Full-Time

Work Schedule:Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type:Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility:Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band:04

Salary: Salarycommensurate with education and experience - $125,000 max

Criminal Background Check:Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University Facilities & Campus Operations ensures a quality physical environment supporting the mission of the university. We will be the technical and business experts of choice with the total trust and confidence of our students, faculty, and staff.

About the Position:

Join the George Mason University Patriot Team!

A fantastic new opportunity is available at George Mason University. If you're ready to start a rewarding new career, we're ready to welcome you to our team. As a Virginia state employee, you will work on our beautiful Fairfax campus, home to 677 acres of scenic wooded landscape, and become an important part of the George Mason University community. We have the work and the opportunity. Now we are looking for a dependable team member who takes pride in their work and is eager to make a meaningful contribution to the university's educational facilities. We value employees who are reliable, motivated, and trusted to get the job done. The Facilities & Campus Operations Department is committed to providing a safe, functional, and clean environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

What's In It For You?

Outstanding Employee Benefits:

• Generous paid time off, including annual leave, holidays, and sick leave;
• Paid two-week winter break (please note this benefit is subject to annual approval and is not guaranteed every year);
• Free tuition for up to 12 credit hours during the academic year, plus professional development opportunities. Earn a college education while earning a salary;
• Commuter Choice Transit Benefit;
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Hybrid Retirement Plan; and
• Patriot Perks discounts on restaurants, events, entertainment, and more.

Benefits for You and Your Family:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; and
• Tuition benefit for eligible dependents (restrictions apply).

The Senior Space Planner supports strategic and operational space planning across George Mason University campuses, including Fairfax, Manassas, Arlington, and satellite locations. Reporting to the Director of Interior and Space Planning, this role plays a key part in evaluating space needs, analyzing utilization data, and coordinating space assignments and moves. The Space Planner is the primary data owner and user of George Mason’s space management platforms, ensuring data integrity and usability to support decision-making. While not responsible for IT administration, the Space Planner works closely with Facilities IT and other stakeholders to ensure systems meet planning needs.

Responsibilities:

Space Planning & Analysis:

• Collaborate with the Director to manage space requests, including reviewing requests and developing recommendations aligned with institutional priorities.Prepare documentation, including justification, options, and recommendations, for review by the Space Administration Committee;
• Ensure collaboration with project managers and move coordinators to assess space needs, assign space, and coordinate moves across academic, administrative, and research units;
• Analyze space utilization data to identify inefficiencies, consolidation opportunities, and areas for reallocation or redesign;
• Develop space programs and concept diagrams that reflect unit needs, institutional priorities, and progressive space use models (e.g., shared workspaces, hoteling, hybrid work);
• Conduct space feasibility assessments, including adjacency studies, occupancy modeling, and fit plans;
• Support the development of long-term space plans as part of the annual budget cycle, incorporating historical context, leadership vision, and competing priorities;
• Participate in planning meetings with unit stakeholders to gather requirements, document space needs, and propose solutions; and
• Maintain awareness of industry benchmarks and trends in higher education space planning to inform recommendations.

Space Data Management & Software Use:

• Ensure space data supports the Director’s strategic planning efforts by maintaining accuracy and providing actionable insights within Archibus and Lambent.The records shall be accurate and up-to-date space records, including room attributes, occupancy, departmental assignments, and utilization metrics;
• Coordinate with Facilities IT and external consultants on software upgrades, integrations, and enhancements from a user perspective;
• Collaborate with Facilities IT to ensure space standards and guidelines are documented and integrated into planning workflows;
• Create and maintain dashboards, reports, and visualizations using Archibus, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Teams to support space planning and executive decision-making;
• Develop and deliver user training for departmental Archibus users and support onboarding of new users; and
• Document and implement continuous process improvements in space data workflows and reporting.

Reporting & Surveys:

• Prepare recurring and ad-hoc reports, graphics, and presentations for internal stakeholders, including space utilization metrics, occupancy data, and planning scenarios;
• Support the bi-annual SCHEV Space Inventory and Classroom Utilization reporting in coordination with Institutional Effectiveness and Planning;
• Assist with Facilities & Administrative (F&A) audits and functionalization surveys in collaboration with Fiscal Services;
• Lead or support twice-yearly academic and administrative unit location inventory audits, ensuring data accuracy and completeness; and
• Respond to data requests from university committees, leadership, and external agencies, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as a key liaison to academic and administrative units for space planning and data validation;
• Collaborate with the Interiors and Space Planning team to coordinate moves, renovations, and space assignments;
• Facilitate discussions with unit stakeholders to understand operational needs, constraints, and long-term goals;
• Translate stakeholder input into actionable planning documents and visual presentations for executive review;
• Communicate planning recommendations and committee decisions to stakeholders in coordination with the Director; and
• Support space-related initiatives and committee work as assigned by the Director.

Other Related Duties as Assigned:

• Related tasks assigned by the supervisor and department head.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Generally, a minimum of 5 years of experience in space planning, facilities data management, or related functions in higher education, corporate, or institutional settings;
• Demonstrated knowledge of space management software such as Archibus, AutoCAD, or similar platforms;
• Demonstrated knowledge of space utilization metrics and how to apply them to planning decisions;
• Skill in analyzing space data and translating findings into actionable recommendations;
• Skill in managing complex datasets and maintaining accurate records;
• Skill in coordinating space assignments and moves in collaboration with project managers and move coordinators;
• Skill in developing space programs, concept diagrams, and feasibility assessments;
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including academic and administrative units;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to synthesize complex data into executive-level presentations and infographics; and
• Ability to support continuous improvement in space planning processes and technologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• B.S. in interior design preferred;
• Experience working in a higher education environment;
• Experience supporting move coordination and space assignment processes;
• Knowledge of SCHEV reporting requirements and F&A functionalization audits; and
• Familiarity with GIS, Lambent, eBuilder, and Microsoft Teams integration for space planning.

Posting Open Date: September 16, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: September 30, 2026

Open Until Filled:Yes