Planning and Design Section Supervisor – Design and Construction Group

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

13h

About The Position

Are you ready to lead planning and design efforts for Architectural, Engineering and Construction initiatives supporting national security, space exploration, and scientific discovery? Do you thrive on delivering results through collaboration, precision, and innovation? If so, we’d love to have you join our team. APL is preparing for a new era of growth, with more than $3 billion in capital investments planned in new construction and facility modernization projects. To support this initiative, we are seeking an experienced Planning and Design Section Supervisor to lead a dedicated team within our Facilities Design and Construction Group. This position will play a key role in shaping the Laboratory’s long-range campus development, space planning and facility design strategies, bridging current and future infrastructure needs as envisioned in APL’s Site Master Plan. Job Summary Reporting to the Assistant Group Supervisor of the Facilities Design and Construction Group, the Planning and Design Section Supervisor will lead a multidisciplinary team of Architects, Engineers, Space Planners and technical professionals. You will oversee the planning, design, and execution of complex facilities projects in a highly technical, fast-paced research and development environment. You will define section priorities, implement policies, provide coaching and mentoring, and foster a culture of innovation, and continuous improvement. You will collaborate with Laboratory leadership, Howard County officials, and internal partners to ensure alignment with APL’s operational and strategic objectives. Leadership and Organizational Excellence Lead and manage a section of approximately 12–14 professionals who compose architectural, engineering, space planning, and support projects Establish and foster a climate conducive to creativity, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration Define business processes, prioritize section work, and implement best management practices to ensure compliance with APL policies Collaborate across departments and Laboratory divisions to maximize impact and foster cross-enterprise integration Lead long-range campus planning and development initiatives in support of the overall campus framework Partner with leadership to develop strategies and frameworks that support near-term and long-term campus growth and flexibility Strategic Space Alignment: Ensure Enterprise spaces are optimized for efficiency and functionality by evaluating present and upcoming utilization needs. Enable systematic data-driven space planning that supports organizational growth, collaboration, and innovation. Enterprise Space Planning Leadership: Implement and enforce space planning principles, policies, and governance frameworks, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and the organization’s strategic goals set forth by the Strategic Growth and Space Utilization Team. Collaborator Engagement & Happiness: Ensure that space users and collaborators are actively engaged in the space management process, encouraging transparency, collaboration, and happiness with space allocation decisions Cost Optimization & Resource Stewardship: Drive cost efficiencies through analytics-based space planning, strategic consolidations, and innovative workplace strategies, reducing construction and operational expenses without compromising functionality Knowledge Sharing & Transparency: Capture, analyze, and disseminate key learnings and best practices from space planning initiatives across the Enterprise, fostering an informed decision-making culture Operational and Technical Oversight Provide technical leadership for facilities design and infrastructure projects of varying size and complexity Lead in-house design teams in developing plans, specifications, and cost estimates Oversee quality, accuracy, and code compliance of design solutions Coordinate with Howard County’s Office of Permitting and ensure all projects comply with applicable building codes and regulations Manage project prioritization, scheduling, and resource allocation to meet mission and operational requirements Develop, implement, and standardize design practices, including architectural and engineering methodologies Lead strategic campus planning efforts, including portfolio planning, utilization analysis, and forecasting of future space requirements Staff Development and Organizational Culture Inspire and empower staff to embrace innovation and continuous improvement Provide coaching, mentorship, and regular performance feedback Identify and develop key talent for future leadership roles Ensure staff have the resources and professional development opportunities needed to meet evolving technical and organizational needs Champion section-level transformation initiatives and promote a culture of accountability and excellence

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, Planning or a related field
Minimum 10 years of directly related experience in Architectural, Interior and Engineering design
Licensed Architect or Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Maryland, or another state who can acquire licensure within six (6) months of hire
Deep expertise in workplace design, space utilization principles and facility planning
Working knowledge of the space management lifecycle
Demonstrated success in leading and managing professional technical staff
Strong understanding of building codes, zoning ordinances, and applicable state and federal regulations
Proven ability to think strategically, lead change, and deliver sustainable outcomes
Strong influencing, negotiation, and communication skills with the ability to work across all levels of the organization
Experience with estimating, budgeting, project scheduling, strategic planning, and capital planning
US. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Security Clearance
Requires valid state-of-residence driver’s license in good standing.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Architecture or Engineering
Experience with Maryland’s regulatory and permitting environment
Knowledge or experience with cost estimating and scheduling software such as MS Project
Experience with building and construction tools including Revit
Experience with Integrated Workplace Management System software such as Tririga

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a section of approximately 12–14 professionals who compose architectural, engineering, space planning, and support projects
Establish and foster a climate conducive to creativity, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration
Define business processes, prioritize section work, and implement best management practices to ensure compliance with APL policies
Collaborate across departments and Laboratory divisions to maximize impact and foster cross-enterprise integration
Lead long-range campus planning and development initiatives in support of the overall campus framework
Partner with leadership to develop strategies and frameworks that support near-term and long-term campus growth and flexibility
Ensure Enterprise spaces are optimized for efficiency and functionality by evaluating present and upcoming utilization needs.
Enable systematic data-driven space planning that supports organizational growth, collaboration, and innovation.
Implement and enforce space planning principles, policies, and governance frameworks, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and the organization’s strategic goals set forth by the Strategic Growth and Space Utilization Team.
Ensure that space users and collaborators are actively engaged in the space management process, encouraging transparency, collaboration, and happiness with space allocation decisions
Drive cost efficiencies through analytics-based space planning, strategic consolidations, and innovative workplace strategies, reducing construction and operational expenses without compromising functionality
Capture, analyze, and disseminate key learnings and best practices from space planning initiatives across the Enterprise, fostering an informed decision-making culture
Provide technical leadership for facilities design and infrastructure projects of varying size and complexity
Lead in-house design teams in developing plans, specifications, and cost estimates
Oversee quality, accuracy, and code compliance of design solutions
Coordinate with Howard County’s Office of Permitting and ensure all projects comply with applicable building codes and regulations
Manage project prioritization, scheduling, and resource allocation to meet mission and operational requirements
Develop, implement, and standardize design practices, including architectural and engineering methodologies
Lead strategic campus planning efforts, including portfolio planning, utilization analysis, and forecasting of future space requirements
Inspire and empower staff to embrace innovation and continuous improvement
Provide coaching, mentorship, and regular performance feedback
Identify and develop key talent for future leadership roles
Ensure staff have the resources and professional development opportunities needed to meet evolving technical and organizational needs
Champion section-level transformation initiatives and promote a culture of accountability and excellence