Senior Space Planner-Laboratories & Office

Sodexo Careers•Rahway, NJ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Sodexo is seeking a Senior Occupancy Space Planner-Laboratories & Office to support our Pharmaceutical/ Life Sciences client in Rahway, New Jersey. The Senior Space Planner – Laboratories & Office is a strategic leader, responsible for developing and executing space planning solutions across complex pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences environments. This role leads the programming, planning, and optimization of research laboratories, GMP-regulated facilities, pilot manufacturing, office workplaces, and scientific support spaces to ensure safe, compliant, and high-performing environments. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in laboratory planning, regulated facilities, workplace strategy, and space analytics, with experience supporting multidisciplinary research organizations. Leveraging industry best practices, benchmarking, and regulatory knowledge, this role partners cross-functionally with Research & Development, Facilities, Engineering, EHS, and Capital Projects to deliver innovative, compliant, and future-ready workplace solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in architecture, Interior Architecture, Engineering, Facilities Planning, Facility Management, or a related discipline (advanced degree preferred) or equivalent experience
10+ years of experience in laboratory, workplace, or facilities planning within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, or life sciences organizations.
Demonstrated expertise in laboratory programming, GMP-regulated environments, scientific infrastructure, and space strategy.
Strong knowledge of laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, building codes, and workplace planning best practices.
Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, analytical, and strategic planning skills.
Must have laboratory exposure/knowledge
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
Minimum Management Experience - 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 3 years experience in a supervisory capacity within construction

Nice To Haves

advanced degree preferred

Responsibilities

Lead strategic space planning, programming, and workplace optimization initiatives across laboratory, office, pilot-scale manufacturing, and GMP-regulated environments.
Develop comprehensive space programs by translating scientific workflows, equipment needs, and operational requirements into effective planning solutions.
Serve as a trusted advisor to scientific, facilities, and corporate real estate leadership, facilitating planning workshops and providing strategic recommendations.
Apply expertise in laboratory planning, including biosafety laboratories, analytical sciences, research environments, pilot plants, and specialized scientific spaces.
Ensure planning solutions align with applicable building codes, life safety standards, GMP requirements, and regulatory expectations, partnering closely with EHS, Quality, and Regulatory teams.
Utilize space analytics, utilization metrics, benchmarking, and capacity modeling to support portfolio strategy and executive decision-making.
Collaborate with architects, engineers, project managers, and workplace strategists to ensure successful project execution.
Drive planning standards, governance, and continuous improvement initiatives while supporting the growth of laboratory planning and consulting capabilities.