Space Planning Manager

Neurocrine Biosciences•San Diego, CA

23h

About The Position

The Space Planning Manager develops and leads complex workplace and space planning initiatives across Neurocrine Biosciences’ San Diego headquarters and global portfolio. The role provides strategic and operational leadership to optimize office and laboratory space, manage occupancy and capacity, support organizational growth, and improve facility utilization. The Manager develops and implements planning standards, oversees forecasting and scenario planning, directs space allocation and occupancy management, and leads workplace projects such as renovations, reconfigurations, densification, and moves, adds, and changes. The Manager partners with Facilities, Workplace Services, Real Estate, Finance, HR, IT, EHS, Procurement, business leaders, and other stakeholders to develop workplace solutions aligned with organizational priorities, financial objectives, operational requirements, and long-term growth. The position oversees space planning processes, systems, data governance, drawing management, and workplace standards across the organization; evaluates space management technologies; and establishes consistent planning practices across global locations. It also provides technical and functional leadership, develops strategic recommendations, and presents solutions to senior leadership. The role’s scope includes workplace forecasting and financial assessments; space planning standards and governance; project and relocation oversight; CAFM/IWMS and space data management; laboratory and specialized space planning; furniture standards and planning; and stakeholder communication and continuous improvement.

Requirements

High school diploma and 10+ years of progressively responsible relevant experience; or a BS/BA in a listed or related discipline and 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Advanced knowledge of workplace and space planning, including office and laboratory planning, occupancy and capacity management, utilization analysis, furniture systems, and workplace standards.
Strong proficiency in AutoCAD, including interpreting, reviewing, and overseeing architectural drawings, floor plans, and space planning documentation.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, including developing forecasting models, dashboards, analytical reports, and presentations.
Knowledge of space management systems, data governance, and process automation.
Experience with project budgeting, cost analysis, vendor management, and resource planning.
Familiarity with workplace accessibility, safety, and regulatory considerations applicable to space planning.
Demonstrated experience leading complex space planning initiatives and cross-functional projects, including facility reconfigurations, stakeholder coordination, and operational planning.
Experience developing and implementing workplace planning standards, occupancy management processes, and space utilization practices.
Ability to lead multiple complex initiatives, establish priorities, manage competing deadlines, and drive project execution across cross-functional teams.
Strong business acumen, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop practical, cost-effective solutions aligned with business priorities.
Strong collaboration and influencing skills, including building working relationships, guiding cross-functional teams, and gaining alignment among stakeholders with competing priorities.
Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, including communicating complex information and recommendations to diverse audiences and senior leadership.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions to complex workplace planning challenges within business objectives and guidelines.
Ability to develop functional standards, improve processes, and promote operational efficiency, data accuracy, and accountability.
Ability to adapt to changing business needs, manage ambiguity, and prioritize work in a dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with CAFM/IWMS or enterprise space management platforms.
Experience with Revit, Bluebeam, and related architectural or workplace planning tools.
Previous experience providing technical guidance or functional leadership to cross-functional project teams, consultants, or vendors.
Experience supporting multiple locations or a global workplace portfolio.
Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, laboratory, or other technically complex workplace environments.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute office and laboratory space planning strategies across the San Diego headquarters and global portfolio.
Recommend short- and long-term space planning solutions aligned with organizational growth, business priorities, financial objectives, and operational requirements.
Direct space allocation, occupancy planning, and capacity management to optimize existing facilities while maintaining workplace standards.
Manage workplace initiatives including renovations, reconfigurations, densification, departmental consolidations, new construction, and workplace improvements.
Oversee development and evaluation of space plans, test fits, blocking plans, seating layouts, and alternative planning scenarios.
Set planning priorities and recommend solutions using headcount projections, functional requirements, space availability, costs, and business needs.
Partner with Real Estate and Facilities leadership on portfolio planning, expansion strategies, site master planning, and long-term facility requirements.
Manage global workplace forecasting and scenario planning with Finance, HR, Real Estate, Facilities, and business leadership.
Develop and maintain multi-year space capacity and headcount forecasts and identify potential space constraints.
Establish and monitor KPIs for occupancy, utilization, capacity, allocation efficiency, and workplace performance.
Analyze utilization trends and recommend ways to maximize resources, improve efficiency, and reduce unnecessary real estate expenditures.
Develop business cases and financial assessments for workplace initiatives, including cost estimates, resource needs, risks, and operational impacts.
Present data-driven planning recommendations and strategic options to senior leadership.
Collaborate with Finance and Procurement on budgets, cost tracking, vendor proposals, and cost-saving opportunities.
Contribute to workplace and space planning standards, procedures, and best practices across company locations.
Establish and maintain standards for offices, workstations, laboratories, collaboration areas, conference rooms, shared spaces, and furniture.
Oversee space allocation guidelines, seating assignments, utilization practices, and moves, adds, and changes processes.
Develop drawing standards, documentation requirements, naming conventions, and space data management procedures.
Establish governance processes for accurate space information, occupancy records, and floor plans across global facilities.
Partner with global site representatives to standardize planning practices while accommodating local requirements.
Evaluate workplace standards and recommend improvements based on business growth, benchmarks, employee needs, and evolving strategies.
Direct workplace planning projects from initial requirements through planning, implementation, and completion.
Oversee departmental relocations and moves, adds, and changes, including sequencing, temporary swing-space planning, communications, and post-move documentation.
Coordinate multiple concurrent workplace initiatives, identifying dependencies, risks, resource requirements, and scheduling impacts.
Set project timelines, deliverables, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
Coordinate operational and infrastructure requirements with Facilities, IT, Infrastructure, EHS, Security, architects, contractors, and furniture vendors.
Provide planning oversight for office and laboratory renovations, reconfigurations, and construction initiatives.
Evaluate project alternatives and recommend solutions balancing operational needs, employee experience, standards, costs, and long-term flexibility.
Resolve complex space allocation challenges, competing priorities, and operational constraints.
Ensure planning activities comply with company policies, applicable regulations, safety requirements, and project standards.
Manage evaluation, selection, implementation, and ongoing management of CAFM/IWMS and space planning technology.
Evaluate technology and system enhancements for occupancy management, utilization analytics, forecasting, reporting, and data accuracy.
Partner with IT, HR, Finance, Facilities, and technology providers on system requirements and integration opportunities.
Oversee accurate AutoCAD drawings, floor plans, seating plans, occupancy databases, and space management records.
Develop reporting tools, dashboards, and analytics for operational planning and executive decision-making.
Lead improvements to data integrity, reporting efficiency, system adoption, and planning automation.
Oversee workplace planning documentation, SharePoint resources, standards, and reference materials.
Provide strategic planning oversight for laboratory and specialized workplace environments.
Partner with laboratory leadership, Facilities, Engineering, EHS, and technical stakeholders to assess laboratory requirements and operational needs.
Oversee preliminary laboratory planning concepts, equipment inventories, and utilization assessments.
Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, and project teams to incorporate laboratory requirements into facility projects.
Assess laboratory space constraints and recommend solutions supporting efficiency, safety, and future growth.
Support feasibility studies, laboratory renovations, specialized equipment planning, and long-term laboratory capacity assessments.
Oversee workplace furniture planning, standards, specifications, inventory management, and installation programs.
Develop standardized furniture solutions supporting functionality, consistency, cost efficiency, and flexibility.
Partner with Procurement, furniture manufacturers, dealers, and project teams to evaluate solutions, pricing, and vendor proposals.
Identify opportunities to reuse furniture assets, reduce expenditures, and improve inventory management.
Oversee furniture planning for renovations, moves, new construction, and workplace reconfigurations.
Ensure furniture planning aligns with workplace standards, ergonomic considerations, accessibility requirements, and operational needs.
Serve as a subject matter expert to business leaders on space planning, occupancy management, workplace standards, and capacity planning.
Build partnerships with senior leaders, department heads, global site representatives, and cross-functional stakeholders.
Lead planning discussions with business leaders to evaluate requirements, resolve competing priorities, and develop aligned solutions.
Prepare and deliver executive presentations, dashboards, business cases, and strategic recommendations.
Provide direction to internal team members, external consultants, vendors, and project partners.
Establish priorities, coordinate resources, delegate assignments as appropriate, and ensure accountability for deliverables.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to colleagues and project partners and support knowledge sharing and consistent planning practices.
Represent the space planning function in cross-functional meetings, strategic planning discussions, and workplace improvement initiatives.
Drive continuous improvement in processes, governance, reporting, and service delivery.