Senior Director, Occupancy Planning & Management

JLL•Chicago, IL

5d•Remote

About The Position

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. What this job involves: Lead strategic occupancy excellence as a Sr. Director of Occupancy Planning with JLL, where you'll foster critical relationships between various individuals and organizations while ensuring coordination and collaboration among JLL businesses and serving as a strategic leader managing occupancy, space, and change management processes across broad geographies in remote and virtual environments. You'll manage teams, train and mentor as needed while going above and beyond to solve problems effectively, thinking strategically, simplifying complex challenges, and driving results with an appetite for risks and proactive innovative solutions. This role positions you as a strategic leader in workspace optimization, where your expertise in team leadership, portfolio management, and client advisory services will directly impact space efficiency and organizational success. Your contributions will support JLL's occupancy planning excellence while you plan and manage portfolios maximizing space, assist clients in migration plans and moves, review and prepare project status reports on seat demand, report on supply and capacity, forecast inventory changes, and create accurate planning reports supporting Corporate Real Estate decision-making including space, demand, and utilization tracking.

Requirements

8-15 years of progressively responsible experience managing occupancy, space, move management, and change management processes across broad geography in remote and virtual environment
Strong leadership and relationship building skills with strong interpersonal and problem-solving abilities demonstrating capability to foster critical relationships and ensure coordination across organizations
CAFM system and AutoCAD experience required with knowledge of Excel and ability to analyze data, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and ability to consolidate data and floor plans into client presentations
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including active listening, verbal, written, and visual communication with ability to engage at all leadership levels and communicate complex ideas effectively
Experience implementing flex office, hoteling, and alternative workplace solutions programs while managing portfolios, maximizing space, and assisting clients in migration plans and moves
Critical thinking skillsets with ability to tell stories through data, attentive to detail and accuracy particularly with numbers and spatial creativity, and capability to create accurate credible planning reports

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Architecture, Design, Construction Management, or related field demonstrating foundational understanding of built environment and space planning principles
Focus on customers and clients with business and financial acumen demonstrating "JLL first" mindset and commitment to organizational success and client satisfaction
Demonstrate high level of performance in project sequencing and scheduling with proven track record managing complex multi-phase projects across diverse geographies
Strong working knowledge of architectural drawings and furniture systems with advanced understanding of space planning principles, building codes, and workplace design trends
Advanced experience leading organizational change initiatives, supporting cultural transformation programs, or implementing new workplace strategies in complex corporate environments
Background driving innovative workplace solutions, supporting digital transformation initiatives, or leading adoption of emerging technologies that enhance operational efficiency and client service delivery

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Team Management: Manage teams, train and mentor as needed while fostering critical relationships between various individuals and organizations, ensuring coordination and collaboration among JLL businesses with strong leadership and relationship building skills
Portfolio Planning & Space Optimization: Plan and manage portfolios while maximizing space efficiency as major focus areas, assist clients in metro strategies with attention to detail and accuracy particularly regarding supply/demand numbers and portfolio creativity
Project Status Reporting: Review, prepare, and update project status reports on actual versus projected seat demand while reporting on current supply and capacity, forecasting inventory changes, and creating accurate credible planning reports supporting decision-making
Client Advisory & Communication: Engage at all leadership levels from administrative to executive using excellent written and verbal communication skills including active listening and visual communication while understanding complex ideas and communicating them effectively
Data Analysis & Storytelling: Utilize critical thinking skillsets to tell compelling stories through data using Microsoft Excel skills including pivot tables, vlookup, cell calculations while understanding floorplans and consolidating data into PowerPoint presentations
Strategic Problem-Solving: Go above and beyond helping with tasks that come your way, solve problems effectively, think strategically simplifying complex challenges, see big picture driving results while thriving on change with appetite for risks
Program Implementation: Implement flex office, hoteling, and alternative workplace solutions programs while demonstrating high level of performance in project sequencing and scheduling with strong working knowledge of architectural drawings and furniture systems