Director, Planning and Design

Yale New Haven Health • New Haven, CT

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Planning & Design for Facilities Planning, Design and Construction is responsible for leading the strategic vision, development, and execution of planning and design initiatives across the academic health system. This role oversees master planning, space programming, facilities standards, and the development of construction documents, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, regulatory standards, and operational needs. This role works closely with the Director of Capital Planning to ensure that planning efforts support system-wide strategic priorities and capital investment goals. This position also manages the user group process, validates project scope and budgets throughout design, and ensures adherence to architectural, MEP, finish, and furniture design standards. The Director is a licensed architect with deep experience in healthcare planning and design. The Director of Planning and Design has direct oversight of the Senior Manager of Design, Senior Planners and Planners, and reports directly to the Executive Director of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in architecture or a related field required.
• Minimum of 15 years' experience in planning at an academic medical center.
• Minimum of 5 years in a leadership role overseeing planning and design functions.
• Applicant must be a licensed architect.
• Strategic Visioning: Ability to translate institutional goals into physical planning strategies.
• Leadership & Team Development: Skilled in managing multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal skills to lead user groups and communicate with executive leadership.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of healthcare planning, design standards, and regulatory frameworks.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to validate scope, budgets, and design feasibility with a data-informed approach.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Champion the long-term vision and strategic direction for campus planning and design, ensuring alignment with organizational mission, values, and future growth objectives.
• Align physical planning efforts with broader organizational goals, system strategic priorities, and financial frameworks to support sustainable and impactful capital development.
• Lead the creation, maintenance, and execution of comprehensive master plans, design guidelines, and planning policies that promote consistency, innovation, and excellence in the built environment.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, clinical stakeholders, and external partners to guide planning decisions, ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and alignment with institutional needs.
• Direct internal planning teams and external consultants, optimizing resource allocation, performance, and project outcomes through effective leadership, contract management, and operational oversight.
• Provide expert oversight and validation of project scope, cost estimates, and timelines from schematic design through construction documentation. Ensure alignment with institutional priorities, risk mitigation strategies, and lifecycle cost considerations to support successful project delivery.
• Lead efforts to ensure all planning and design activities comply with applicable building codes, ADA standards, FGI Guidelines, and healthcare-specific regulatory requirements. Proactively monitor changes in regulations and integrate best practices to uphold safety, accessibility, and operational excellence.
• Develop, implement, and continuously refine architectural, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), interior finish, and furniture standards. Ensure consistency, quality, and sustainability across all capital projects, while supporting innovation and adaptability to evolving institutional needs.
• Represent the planning and design function in executive leadership briefings, governance committees, and external partnerships. Provide strategic insight and technical expertise to inform decision-making, foster alignment, and advance institutional planning objectives.

What This Job Offers

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