Architecture Lab Planning Director

WSP • New York, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This Opportunity Provides strategic leadership, technical expertise, and client advisory services for complex Science & Technology, Life Sciences, Higher Education, Healthcare Research, and Advanced Technology projects nationwide. Serves as a trusted advisor to clients and project teams throughout the planning, programming, design, and delivery of large-scale laboratory and research facilities. Leads multidisciplinary teams in the development of innovative, high-performance environments that support scientific discovery, research operations, and institutional growth. Responsible for driving project excellence, client satisfaction, business development, and market growth while overseeing the design and delivery of complex projects from master planning and programming through construction. Guides senior clients and stakeholders through critical facility planning, operational, and capital investment decisions while ensuring technical quality, regulatory compliance, and alignment with business objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture or closely related discipline.
• 12+ years of relevant post-education experience in architecture, laboratory planning, programming, and science and technology facility design.
• Registered Architect required.
• Demonstrated expertise in laboratory planning and programming for life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic research, healthcare research, and advanced technology projects.
• Extensive experience leading planning and design efforts for large-scale, complex projects exceeding 100,000 square feet and involving multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory operations, research workflows, equipment planning, safety requirements, and facility programming methodologies.
• Advanced understanding of building planning, space programming, project planning, design development, construction documentation, and construction administration.
• Well-developed knowledge of applicable building codes, accessibility requirements, laboratory design standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams while maintaining quality, schedule, and budget objectives.
• Proficiency with Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and other industry-standard architectural software platforms.
• Demonstrated high level of self-leadership with attention to detail, project prioritization, and quality assurance/quality control practices.
• Proven track record of supporting major institutional, university, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare research, and corporate R&D clients.
• Ability to travel as required for project and client needs.

Nice To Haves

• NCARB certification preferred.
• Master's Degree in Architecture, Planning, or related discipline.
• Experience serving as a Senior Laboratory Planner, Laboratory Programmer, Project Architect, or Science & Technology Market Leader.
• Experience with biomedical research facilities, pharmaceutical research and development campuses, cleanrooms, cGMP facilities, and higher education science buildings.
• Established relationships within life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, and higher education markets.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior laboratory planning and architectural subject matter expert for major Science & Technology, Life Sciences, and Higher Education pursuits and projects
• Develop and maintain executive-level client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor on facility strategy, laboratory operations, campus planning, and capital project initiatives.
• Lead large, multidisciplinary project teams across multiple offices and project delivery phases.
• Direct laboratory programming efforts, facility master plans, strategic planning studies, and complex project pursuits.
• Mentor architects, planners, and designers while fostering technical excellence and professional growth throughout the practice.
• Contribute to business development, proposal strategy, client presentations, conference participation, and market visibility initiatives.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and support strategic growth within the Science & Technology and Life Sciences sectors.
• Provide executive oversight of project scope, budgets, schedules, risk management, quality assurance, and client satisfaction.

Benefits

• Coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life
• Retirement savings
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation (or other personal time)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior