Sr Occupancy Planner

Sr Occupancy Planner

The Senior Occupancy Planner is responsible for delivering strategic and tactical space planning expertise to support effective management of supply, capacity, and demand across a client's real estate portfolio in the US and Canada. This role plays a key part in optimizing space utilization by developing layout options, reorganization strategies, and occupancy solutions that align with evolving business needs. The role also has direct responsibility for move-management across the portfolio. This is a hybrid-role that will also have oversight of a facilities management service delivery for a portion of the portfolio including management of a distributed team. Key responsibilities include managing day-to-day change requests, leading strategic planning initiatives, coordinating with stakeholders, and contributing to site(s) strategy through space and occupancy analysis. The Senior Occupancy Planner also ensures the integrity of space data, including CAD floor plans, and provides utilization metrics to inform decision-making. This role requires strong analytical skills, project leadership, and the ability to collaborate across teams to deliver efficient, data-driven space solutions that enhance workplace functionality and employee experience; move management coordination; budget development and oversight, accruals, forecasting.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain site-level occupancy plans, including headcount forecasts, seat supply projections, stacking plans, and scenario modeling.
• Lead strategic occupancy planning efforts, including migration plans, restacks, consolidations, and relocations.
• Analyze space utilization data through methods such as space walks and reporting tools to identify opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.
• Create conceptual and detailed layouts, stack plans, and floor plans using AutoCAD and other design tools.
• Coordinate and manage weekly small/large group moves and monthly site-to-site relocations in partnership with Facilities, Project Management, and external vendors.
• Implement move plans in accordance with approved occupancy strategies and adjust plans as business needs evolve (e.g., mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations).
• Conduct site surveys, floor plan audits, and data collection to ensure space data accuracy and compliance with client standards.
• Maintain and update CAFM/IWMS systems (e.g., iOffice, TRIRIGA), including CAD floor plans and space allocation data.
• Facilitate neighborhood planning sessions, move meetings, and town halls to support change management and communication efforts.
• Provide space utilization analysis and reporting, including trends in hiring, terminations, vacancy, and forecast accuracy.
• Present findings and recommendations to clients and internal teams through operational reports and presentations.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to align space planning with business objectives and operational requirements.
• Recommend process improvements and innovations to enhance service delivery, cost efficiency, and data integrity.
• Support budgeting efforts for capital and operating expenses related to occupancy planning and facilities management.
• Oversight of expense management for distributed-leased facilities management.
• Mentor junior planners, facility managers and facility coordinators to contribute to team development and knowledge sharing.
• Ensure adherence to client playbooks, policies, and space planning standards.
• Move/add/change management oversight, planning, execution and budgeting

Key Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret space data and develop actionable planning strategies.
• Communication: Strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills for engaging stakeholders and presenting findings.
• Client Focus: Builds trust and maintains strong relationships with internal and external partners.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in data management, reporting, and documentation.
• Problem Solving: Identifies space-related challenges and develops creative, data-driven solutions.
• Collaboration: Works effectively within cross-functional teams to deliver integrated workplace solutions.
• Adaptability: Responds effectively to changing priorities and business needs.
• Leadership: Demonstrates project leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Strategic Thinking: Aligns occupancy planning with long-term business goals and workplace trends.

Related Requirements:

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Facilities Management, Real Estate, Construction Management, or a related field; or 10+ years of relevant experience.

Years of Relevant Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in occupancy planning, space management, or corporate real estate.

Licenses or Certifications: No specific certifications required, but credentials in CAFM systems, AutoCAD, Corporate Real Estate, LEED, or Facilities Management (e.g., IFMA, CoreNet) are advantageous.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficient in AutoCAD and CAFM/IWMS platforms (iOffice preferred).
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, Index/Match) and business intelligence tools (Power BI).
• Strong understanding of space planning principles, workplace strategy, and utilization metrics.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings and floor plans.
• Experience managing move coordination and service requests.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop user documentation and apply policy and procedure effectively.
• Familiarity with BOMA standards and poly-lining methodologies.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently and lead presentations.
• Facilities Management experience strongly preferred.

Physical Work Requirements:

• Primarily office-based with extended periods of computer use (up to 8 hours/day).
• Occasional standing or walking during site visits, audits, or move coordination.
• Ability to observe details at close range and arrange information in logical sequences.
• May require travel up to 20% for site assessments and project support.

Scheduling:

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to support moves and projects.
• Must be regularly on-site to support move activities and client needs.
• Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations and service requests.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Conditions of Employment:

All offers of employment are contingent upon:

Legal Documentation establishing identity and eligibility to be legally employed in the US/United States Citizenship Drug Testing Criminal background check Clean DMV record (for related driving roles) Education verification Reference checks

AAP/EEO STATEMENT:

Cushman & Wakefield provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Further, the company takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and employees during employment are treated without regard to any of these characteristics. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.