Workplace Strategy and Planning

Roche; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 227,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche seeks a Workplace Strategy & Space Planning Lead to direct design, master planning, and operational strategy for its campus, transforming office and laboratory environments into sustainable hubs of scientific excellence.

You will bridge global architectural vision with day-to-day R&D needs, directing capital projects up to $5M, and leading change management to keep research teams performing at their best.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management or related field; 5+ years in workplace design, space planning or facilities management.
• 3+ years managing laboratory space portfolios in pharma/life sciences with lab design standards, safety regs (BSL, chemical fume hoods) and GMP/GLP (preferred)
• Proven track record leading cross-functional teams and capital projects up to $5M; PMP preferred
• Proficiency with IWMS or lab-specific tools (LIMS, equipment tracking) to analyze occupancy metrics and space workflows
• Strong collaboration with scientific leadership, R&D and global facility partners to align workspace design with business objectives
• Experience driving workplace experience initiatives, change management and occupancy transitions

Responsibilities

• Direct all project delivery phases (budgets up to $5M, vendor coordination, timelines) for new construction and renovations across office and laboratory environments
• Lead space optimization strategies to meet biosafety/GLP/GMP standards and operational workflows
• Manage campus laboratory space assignments and track utilization metrics for capacity planning
• Maintain campus workplace policies, design guidelines, and safety/ergonomic standards with R&D, SHE and Quality teams
• Develop and execute comprehensive change management and transition plans to maximize adoption
• Collaborate with local and global partners to align capital projects with campus master planning and long-term R&D objectives
• Oversee sustainability, furniture reuse, and donation programs with environmental and safety goals

Skills

Project management

Space planning

Facilities management

IWMS

Lab design

GMP/GLP knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management

Tools

IWMS

LIMS

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

At Roche, we believe our physical spaces shape the future of science. As our Workplace Strategy & Space Planning Lead, you will champion the design, master planning, and operational strategy for our campus, transforming office and high-complexity laboratory environments into inspiring, sustainable hubs of scientific excellence. In this role, you’ll bridge the gap between global architectural vision and day-to-day R&D needs—directing capital projects up to $5M, driving data-informed space allocation, and leading change management initiatives that keep our research teams performing at their best.

The Opportunity

• Direct all project delivery phases (budgets up to $5M, vendor coordination, timelines) for new construction and renovations across office and laboratory environments
• Lead interior and exterior space optimization strategies, ensuring lab designs meet scientific requirements, biosafety/GLP/GMP standards, and operational workflows
• Manage campus laboratory space assignments, tracking utilization metrics to make data-driven recommendations for capacity planning and reallocation
• Maintain campus workplace policies, design guidelines, and safety/ergonomic standards in close partnership with R&D, SHE, and Quality teams
• Develop and execute comprehensive change management and transition plans to maximize adoption of new workspace strategies with minimal business disruption
• Collaborate with local and global partners to align capital projects with campus master planning and long-term strategic R&D objectives
• Oversee sustainability, furniture reuse, and donation programs to ensure alignment with corporate environmental and safety goals

Who You Are

• Education & Core Experience: Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management, or related field with 5+ years in workplace design, space planning, or facilities management
• Life Sciences & Lab Expertise: 3+ years managing laboratory space portfolios in a pharmaceutical/life sciences setting, with working knowledge of lab design standards, safety regulations (e.g., BSL, chemical fume hoods), and GMP/GLP compliance (preferred)
• Project & Financial Management: Proven track record leading cross-functional teams and managing end-to-end capital project deliverables with budgets up to $5M (PMP certification preferred)
• Technical & Analytics Systems: Proficiency with Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) or lab-specific tools (LIMS, equipment tracking) to analyze occupancy metrics and execute space allocation workflows
• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement: Strong ability to collaborate directly with scientific leadership, R&D teams, and global facility partners to align workspace design with business objectives
• Change Management Leadership: Demonstrated experience driving workplace experience initiatives, communication plans, and occupancy transitions to minimize operational disruption

This position is not eligible for relocation.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is $122,360 - $227,240 USD Annual. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer and strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination based upon an individual's race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, mental/physical disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.