Director of Space Planning

Anduril•Costa Mesa, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a Director of Space Planning to join our rapidly growing team in Costa Mesa. As Director of Space Planning, you will lead our Occupancy Planning team within the Real Estate & Facilities (RE&F) organization. Reporting to the VP of Global Real Estate and Facilities, you will play a pivotal strategic role in shaping how our dynamic, multi-division organization uses its Southern California real estate to drive mission-critical outcomes. This is a high-visibility leadership position at the intersection of business strategy, workplace enablement, and operational excellence in a complex, growth-oriented environment. You will build and lead a high-performing team responsible for turning headcount forecasts, technical requirements, and cross-functional adjacencies into intelligent, executable space allocation and move strategies that support rapid scaling while optimizing utilization and employee experience.

Requirements

10 years of progressive experience in space planning, occupancy planning, workplace strategy, or facilities planning, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing complex, multi-building portfolios (ideally 2 M+ sq ft).
Demonstrated success in fast-growing manufacturing technology or similarly dynamic multi-division organizations. Experience supporting R&D, industrial, and office environments is highly preferred.
Strong ability to translate business forecasts and technical requirements into actionable space plans. Proficiency with space management software (e.g., IWMS, CAFM, Stack Planning tools), data analytics, and scenario modeling.
Track record of building high-performing teams and influencing senior executives and cross-functional stakeholders in matrixed environments. Excellent facilitation and communication skills.
Experience planning and executing large-scale moves and portfolio transformations in growth settings.
Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Real Estate, Facilities Management, Business, or related field (Master’s or relevant certifications like COREnet, IFMA, or AIA a plus).
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities.

Responsibilities

Lead Occupancy Demand Forecasting: Partner closely with leaders across business divisions (each with multiple product lines) and G&A functions to develop and maintain rolling 18-24 month space demand forecasts. Integrate headcount projections for office/desk needs with detailed technical/light industrial space requirements (e.g., labs, integration/test areas, specialized infrastructure). Refresh forecasts quarterly.
Drive Adjacency and Portfolio Optimization: Analyze and incorporate complex adjacency requirements to foster collaboration, innovation, and operational efficiency across divisions. Develop and present multiple space allocation plan options that balance individual and enterprise needs, then facilitate cross-organizational governance processes to secure decisions on building-level assignments. Refresh comprehensive portfolio allocation plans biannually.
Transition Planning: Partner with Facilities Workplace teams and Design and Construction teams to develop execution of detailed occupancy and construction plans, drive change management and phasing strategies to relocate teams efficiently with minimal disruption to critical defense programs.
Team Leadership & Capability Building: Lead, mentor, and grow a Space Planning team. Implement best-in-class tools, processes, and data-driven methodologies (e.g., stack planning, utilization analytics, scenario modeling) to elevate the function. Own and drive this function across our Southern California real estate portfolio. Own and drive the global planning program methodologies and approach to be used across RE&F.
Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Alignment: Serve as a trusted advisor to business division leaders, G&A executives, and RE&F peers. Collaborate with Design & Construction, Facilities Operations, and Workplace teams to ensure plans align with broader portfolio strategy, workplace standards, and business priorities.
Portfolio-Wide Impact: Contribute to longer-term portfolio strategy as the company scales toward 10-12 million square feet globally, with heavy emphasis on the Southern California hub.