Space Planning Manager

Location Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America Category Finance, Business & Human Resources The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia Job Id R0088707 Job Type Full time JOB DESCRIPTION The Space Manager provides leadership and project management for furniture planning, workplace design, relocation, procurement, vendor management, and implementation services supporting University facilities and departmental initiatives. The position helps ensure the University receives appropriate product quality, competitive pricing, responsive service, and best value from furniture dealers, manufacturers, representatives, installers, movers, and other providers. It also supports institutional space planning through space studies, programming, utilization analysis, planning scenarios, and evaluation of space requests. Reporting to the Director of Institutional Space Management, the Space Manager is a primary liaison among University departments, Facilities Management, project teams, architects and designers, vendors, Procurement, and other partners, and works with the Director on selected initiatives involving the Provost Office, Office of the Architect, Real Estate and Leasing, and Capital Construction and Renovation. The position independently manages multiple projects from needs assessment through closeout, has no direct reports, and may provide day-to-day work direction to project teams, consultants, and vendors. Furniture and workplace services are the primary responsibility; space planning support is as-needed and expected to grow with experience and organizational need. Key Responsibilities Furniture and Workplace Planning Lead furniture planning and implementation for renovation, new construction, workplace, and departmental projects of varying size and complexity. Meet with clients to identify functional requirements, workplace needs, schedules, budgets, and priorities, and translate them into practical furniture and workplace solutions. Develop and review furniture plans, layouts, specifications, finish selections, and supporting documentation. Evaluate solutions for functionality, ergonomics, accessibility, durability, aesthetics, cost, and compatibility with University standards; coordinate with architectural plans, technology, electrical and data needs, and field conditions. Identify opportunities to reuse, reconfigure, relocate, or standardize existing furniture, and stay current on workplace trends and products relevant to higher education. Project and Relocation Management Manage multiple concurrent furniture, workplace, relocation, and space-related projects, establishing scope, deliverables, schedules, budgets, and communication expectations. Plan and coordinate departmental relocations, including move strategy, sequencing, furniture reuse and disposition, logistics, and stakeholder communication. Coordinate clients, project managers, architects, designers, contractors, dealers, installers, movers, and technology teams; monitor schedules and budgets and resolve issues proactively. Conduct site visits, monitor installation, coordinate move-day activities, manage punch lists, and complete project closeout. Facilitate meetings, document decisions, and communicate project status and risks. Vendor Procurement and Business Partner Management Develop and manage relationships with dealers, manufacturers, representatives, installers, movers, and consultants, holding them accountable for quality, pricing, service, schedule, and contractual commitments. Develop and review scopes of work, specifications, quotes, proposals, pricing, change requests, and invoices for accuracy, completeness, competitiveness, and value. Coordinate procurement with University requirements, contracts, budgets, funding schedules, lead times, construction activities, and installation sequencing. Independently evaluate vendor recommendations, products, pricing, and alternatives rather than relying solely on vendor-selected approaches, chal…

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