Library Planner | Programmer | Architect

Job Description

Job Description

Life at PE:

Perkins Eastman is a global architectural design practice with expertise in all aspects of the built environment, working at all scales, and at every level of detail. With studios in twenty-six locations worldwide, we design for people, to leave a lasting and positive impact on the human experience and the world we inhabit. This is captured in our ethos "human by design".

We believe design is a collaborative art and we are structured as an integrated practice of passionate professionals committed to delivering the best design for our clients. Our team of diverse and complementary talents work together in studios, that can draw from relevant expertise and points of view from across the whole practice to analyze and solve the specific design challenges they are working on. Within the firm we have 18 practice areas, cores of expertise, that focus as centers of knowledge and analysis, that are both an essential foundation and fuel for the creative design work. Sustainability is intrinsic to our design approach. It is an essential ingredient for the design teams throughout the process, adding valuable insights, ideas, and research to the process. For us all good design is sustainable.

The Opportunity:

Perkins Eastman is seeking a Library Specialist to join our Firmwide College & University and Civic & Cultural practices. This role leads the full arc from early strategy through design — shaping how academic and public libraries are planned, programmed, and built for the next generation of learners and communities.

This is a design-centered role for an architect, interior designer, or planner, who has graduated from an accredited design school, built deep expertise in library typology, and wants to work with a firm with national reach and a commitment to future-forward library and learning environments.

The Library Specialist will work at the intersection of research, planning, and design, partnering with librarians, institutional leadership, and project teams to translate evolving models of learning, research, and community into clear programmatic frameworks and spatial solutions.

Position will be located in one of the established Perkins Eastman studios. Ability to travel is required in order to have in person meetings with academic and public institutions at their places of business.

Primary Responsibilities:

Planning, Programming & Strategy

• Lead library programming and planning efforts including space programs and planning concepts.
• Facilitate stakeholder workshops and visioning sessions.
• Translate emerging themes in libraries into actionable planning strategies.
• Develop data-informed recommendations including benchmarking and utilization analysis.

Design & Planning Leadership

• Lead and develop programming, space planning, and planning concepts for academic and public library projects across the country
• Drive early design phases — program validation, scenario testing, and conceptual planning, in close collaboration with project teams
• Develop data-informed recommendations grounded in benchmarking, utilization analysis, and emerging spatial models

Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate visioning sessions and workshops with librarians, institutional leadership, and campus planners
• Translate complex, evolving institutional needs into clear programmatic frameworks and spatial solutions

Thought Leadership

• Represent Perkins Eastman at ALA, ACRL, SCUP, and related professional organizations
• Present at conferences and contribute to the firm's voice on library design
• Track and interpret emerging themes in library service models, learning environments, and community space

Practice Growth

• Identify new business opportunities and support pursuit efforts
• Cultivate and maintain client relationships at academic and public institutions
• Help grow and define the library typology across the firm's studios

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Architecture, Interior Design, or Planning.
• 7–15 years of experience in library planning or design, with a track record of leading projects from programming through design
• Demonstrated skill in stakeholder engagement and translating institutional goals into spatial strategies
• Strong communicator and collaborator who can work fluidly across design, planning, and client-facing contexts
• Active involvement in professional library or design organizations a strong plus

What we offer you:

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage
• 401k Options
• PTO
• Company Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Professional Development
• Competitive salary

PE has a hybrid policy that allows flexibility for our employees in managing their working days and hours to cater to their diverse needs.

We are hiring one individual in one of the following locations: Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, or Washington, DC.

Compensation may vary based on the job level and your geographical work location.

Salary Range: $110k to $140k

Perkins Eastman is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and a participant in the U.S. Federal E-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.