Facility Planning Manager

Facility Planning ManagerAbout RUARUA is a forward-thinking institution for cross-cultural arts education and creative innovation in the Middle East that fosters bold ideas that inspire progress and transform society by cultivating industry and academic collaboration and rethinking creative education, all while creating a space for global ideas to flourish in a culturally inspiring environment.Our VisionTo be an inspiring beacon of knowledge for future generations, integrating culture and arts, empowering students to discover passions and develop talents while fostering creativity and cultural exchange.Our MissionTo cultivate an innovative educational environment in culture and arts, delivering cutting-edge programs that foster cultural and artistic engagement, enriching both the Saudi and global communities.Our AspirationsThe leading cultural university across the Middle East and North Africa.Ranked among top 50 universities worldwide specializing in cultural education.A global hub for cultural education and knowledge exchange.Job Roles and Key ResponsibilitiesGeneral Responsibilities•Lead campus Facility Planning, providing overall direction and oversight for campus-wide space planning, architectural design coordination, and design management activities.•Serve as the University’s lead authority for facility planning and space management, ensuring alignment with academic, administrative, operational, and long-term campus requirements.•Act as the custodian of campus design standards, master plans, CAD/BIM documentation, and space planning information, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and continuity across the campus.•Lead coordination with internal teams, consultants, contractors, and relevant Shared Services teams on facility planning and design matters.•Own and maintain the university space inventory database, ensuring accurate allocation, utilization, occupancy and reporting information.Strategic Responsibilities•Lead campus-wide space planning, allocation, and utilization strategy.•Work with Academic Operations and academic leadership to translate academic growth plans into space requirements and facility planning strategies.•Sets standards to be used in all planning activities as well as approved specs for any design space or furniture related activities•Provide planning and design input into capital projects, renovations, and campus expansion initiatives.•Establish space planning principles, allocation criteria, and approval processes.•Lead assessment of future space needs, optimization, repurposing, and expansion opportunities.•Establish and oversee design review and change control processes, ensuring proposed changes are appropriately evaluated, approved, documented, and implemented.Operational Responsibilities•Oversee master plans, space plans, CAD/BIM drawings, and design documentation.•Review and approve space allocations, planning proposals, and design changes.•Coordinate planning requirements with FM functions, Shared Services, consultants, and project teams.•Monitor space utilization and recommend improvements. Develop space utilization metrics and reporting to support evidence-based planning and decision making.•Oversee planning for renovations, relocations, and space modifications.Ideal Experience, Capabilities and SkillsIndustry Experience•15+ years of experience in architecture, facility planning, space planning, or design management.•Experience in large-scale campus, cultural, institutional, or mixed-use developments.•Strong knowledge of CAD/BIM, space planning, and design coordination.•Experience in academic and cultural environments, particularly universities and specialized arts facilities encompassing teaching spaces, studios, performance venues, galleries, student spaces, and faculty spaces.Academic Background•Bachelor’s degree in Architecture required•Master’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Master Planning, Facility Management, Real Estate, or a related discipline is preferred.•Professional architectural registration or relevant professional certification is considered an advantage.• PMP or other project management certificate is preferred.Management capabilities•Proven ability to lead a facility planning function and multidisciplinary teams.•Strong space planning, allocation, and utilization management capabilities.•Experience managing design consultants and complex stakeholder requirements.•Strong design governance, review, and change control capabilities.Interpersonal skills•Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.•Strong analytical, negotiation, and decision-making capabilities.•Ability to communicate architectural and planning matters to technical and non-technical stakeholders.Reporting Lines•Reports to: FM DirectorWhy joining RUA:RUA represents a platform for discovery, a space where talent is nurtured, and a gateway for Saudi art and culture to the world. We welcome you to join us on this exceptional journey. Together, we will shape the ambitious cultural future of the Kingdom and inspire the world.As the first of its kind in the MENA region, RUA serves as a center of creativity, knowledge, and innovation, contributing to shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s cultural ecosystem and creative economy, driving the growth of Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.