What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Space Planning and Facilities for Academic Affairs position at UT Southwestern?
WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report , we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career! JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Space Planning and Facilities for Academic Affairs at UT Southwestern plays a critical leadership role in the strategic planning, utilization, and management of academic, research, and administrative space across Academic Affairs. This individual will partner with stakeholders across departments and schools to ensure space planning aligns with institutional priorities, supports academic excellence, and promotes operational efficiency.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
Paid Time Off, available day one
Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
Paid Parental Leave Benefit
Wellness programs
Tuition Reimbursement
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Job Duties
Strategic Space Planning & Utilization
Lead short- and long-term space planning strategies that support the mission and goals of Academic Affairs.
Collaborate closely with deans, department chairs, and administrative leaders to assess current and future space needs.
Develop and analyze space usage data to identify opportunities for optimization and reallocation.
Develop and maintain a space inventory management system that tracks allocation, occupancy, and utilization.
Serve as the advisor to senior and executive leadership on space planning priorities, providing data-driven recommendations to inform strategic decision-making.
Provide recommendations to research leadership delegates to ensure space resources align with institutional priorities and support ongoing research initiatives.
Identify opportunities to enhance the efficient use of research space to maximize productivity and collaboration.
Capital Projects & Facilities Planning
Serve as the primary Academic Affairs liaison for capital project planning, renovations, and new construction related to academic and research facilities.
Coordinate with Facilities, Campus Planning, Real Estate, and external consultants on feasibility studies and project execution.
Advocate for the needs of Academic Affairs in campus master planning and facilities committees.
Coordinate with the Director of Finance on capital budget and funds flow to support renovations and new construction initiatives.
Policy & Governance
Develop and implement space allocation policies and procedures that ensure transparency, equity, and alignment with institutional goals.
Provide regular reporting and presentations to executive leadership on space utilization, forecasting, and planning recommendations.
Support space governance committees within Academic Affairs.
Data & Systems Management
Oversee the maintenance and integrity of facilities-related data systems, including space management software (e.g., Archibus, FM: Systems).
Ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations, including research and clinical requirements.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Lead and manage a team of space planners, analysts, and support staff.
Foster a culture of customer service, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
Act as a thought leader and subject matter expert on academic space planning in a complex medical and educational environment.
Performs other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Required
Education
Bachelor's Degree in a related field
Experience
8 years of progressively responsible experience in space planning, facilities management, or capital planning in a higher education or healthcare setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of academic and research operations and their spatial requirements.
Preferred
Education
Master's Degree in a related field
Experience
Experience in an Academic Medical Center or health sciences environment.
Experience in research and laboratory space planning within higher education, with a strong understanding of specialized infrastructure, compliance, and operational needs.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities; proven track record of working with diverse stakeholders.
Familiarity with accreditation standards, research compliance (e.g., NIH), and academic administrative structures.
Proficiency in space management and CAD software.
Ability to develop, monitor and maintain a budget PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
Working Conditions
Office Setting
PACT STATEMENT
P-Problem Solving : Employees take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently, and to the satisfaction of customers, or managers. They show initiative in addressing areas of concern before they become problems.
A-Ability, Attitude and Accountability : Employees exhibit ability to perform their job and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner reflecting a professional environment readily assuming obligations in a dependable and reliable manner.
C-Communication, Contribution, and Collaboration : Who are our Customers? Anyone who requests our help, needs our work product, or receives our services. Employees focus on customer service with creative solutions while improving the customer experience through clear, courteous, and timely delivery and communication. Sharing ideas with others helps expand our contribution to department goals.
T-Teamwork : Employees work to contribute to the department's success by supporting co-workers, promoting excellence in work product and customer service, and in maintaining a satisfying, caring environment for each other.
Salary
Salary Negotiable
Security This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. EEO Statement UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status. Benefits UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
Paid Time Off, available day one
Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
Paid Parental Leave Benefit
Wellness programs
Tuition Reimbursement
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report , we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career! JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Space Planning and Facilities for Academic Affairs at UT Southwestern plays a critical leadership role in the strategic planning, utilization, and management of academic, research, and administrative space across Academic Affairs. This individual will partner with stakeholders across departments and schools to ensure space planning aligns with institutional priorities, supports academic excellence, and promotes operational efficiency.
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
Paid Time Off, available day one
Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
Paid Parental Leave Benefit
Wellness programs
Tuition Reimbursement
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Job Duties
Strategic Space Planning & Utilization
Lead short- and long-term space planning strategies that support the mission and goals of Academic Affairs.
Collaborate closely with deans, department chairs, and administrative leaders to assess current and future space needs.
Develop and analyze space usage data to identify opportunities for optimization and reallocation.
Develop and maintain a space inventory management system that tracks allocation, occupancy, and utilization.
Serve as the advisor to senior and executive leadership on space planning priorities, providing data-driven recommendations to inform strategic decision-making.
Provide recommendations to research leadership delegates to ensure space resources align with institutional priorities and support ongoing research initiatives.
Identify opportunities to enhance the efficient use of research space to maximize productivity and collaboration.
Capital Projects & Facilities Planning
Serve as the primary Academic Affairs liaison for capital project planning, renovations, and new construction related to academic and research facilities.
Coordinate with Facilities, Campus Planning, Real Estate, and external consultants on feasibility studies and project execution.
Advocate for the needs of Academic Affairs in campus master planning and facilities committees.
Coordinate with the Director of Finance on capital budget and funds flow to support renovations and new construction initiatives.
Policy & Governance
Develop and implement space allocation policies and procedures that ensure transparency, equity, and alignment with institutional goals.
Provide regular reporting and presentations to executive leadership on space utilization, forecasting, and planning recommendations.
Support space governance committees within Academic Affairs.
Data & Systems Management
Oversee the maintenance and integrity of facilities-related data systems, including space management software (e.g., Archibus, FM: Systems).
Ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations, including research and clinical requirements.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Lead and manage a team of space planners, analysts, and support staff.
Foster a culture of customer service, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
Act as a thought leader and subject matter expert on academic space planning in a complex medical and educational environment.
Performs other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Required
Education
Bachelor's Degree in a related field
Experience
8 years of progressively responsible experience in space planning, facilities management, or capital planning in a higher education or healthcare setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of academic and research operations and their spatial requirements.
Preferred
Education
Master's Degree in a related field
Experience
Experience in an Academic Medical Center or health sciences environment.
Experience in research and laboratory space planning within higher education, with a strong understanding of specialized infrastructure, compliance, and operational needs.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities; proven track record of working with diverse stakeholders.
Familiarity with accreditation standards, research compliance (e.g., NIH), and academic administrative structures.
Proficiency in space management and CAD software.
Ability to develop, monitor and maintain a budget PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
Working Conditions
Office Setting
PACT STATEMENT
P-Problem Solving : Employees take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently, and to the satisfaction of customers, or managers. They show initiative in addressing areas of concern before they become problems.
A-Ability, Attitude and Accountability : Employees exhibit ability to perform their job and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner reflecting a professional environment readily assuming obligations in a dependable and reliable manner.
C-Communication, Contribution, and Collaboration : Who are our Customers? Anyone who requests our help, needs our work product, or receives our services. Employees focus on customer service with creative solutions while improving the customer experience through clear, courteous, and timely delivery and communication. Sharing ideas with others helps expand our contribution to department goals.
T-Teamwork : Employees work to contribute to the department's success by supporting co-workers, promoting excellence in work product and customer service, and in maintaining a satisfying, caring environment for each other.
Salary
Salary Negotiable
Security This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. EEO Statement UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status. Benefits UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
100% coverage for preventive healthcare – no copay
Paid Time Off, available day one
Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
Paid Parental Leave Benefit
Wellness programs
Tuition Reimbursement
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
