Senior Manager, Office Space Planning & Construction

Company Overview

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Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

The Senior Manager, Office Space Planning & Construction leads the strategic planning, portfolio optimization, and operational management of the firm’s office environment. This role is accountable for aligning workplace strategy with business growth, hybrid work models, cost efficiency, and employee experience, while ensuring disciplined execution across space planning, construction, and facilities operations.

This role is not just about delivering projects—it shapes how the organization works, grows, and evolves. The Senior Manager serves as both a strategic advisor and operational leader, translating business needs into high-performing workplaces that balance cost, flexibility, and employee experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Workplace & Portfolio Leadership

• Owns the long-range workplace and space planning strategy, including footprint optimization, consolidation and expansion scenarios, and hybrid work impacts.

• Defines and evolves workplace concepts and space standards that support employee experience, talent attraction, and operational flexibility.

Data, Analytics & Technology Enablement

• Oversees the use of space utilization analytics, workplace data, and KPIs to inform decisions and measure performance.

• Establishes reporting standards for metrics such as utilization, cost per seat, occupancy, sustainability, and portfolio efficiency and translates data insights into actionable recommendations for executive leadership.

Construction, Renovation & Project Delivery

• Oversees facilities construction, renovation, and improvement projects, including:

o Site feasibility analyses, RFP development, bid evaluation, negotiations, and contract execution.

o Design coordination, permitting, construction oversight, and project closeout.

• Ensures projects are delivered in alignment with brand standards, scope, schedule, and budget.

• Serves as primary liaison with contractors, consultants, brokers, and development partners to ensure quality execution and timely delivery.

Facilities Operations & Budget Management

• Leads operational planning and management for facilities across the office portfolio, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and service quality.

• Forecasts, develops, and manages capital and operating budgets, including cost modeling and operating efficiency analysis.

• Oversees procurement and purchasing of facilities-related goods and services, ensuring alignment with budget, quality, and performance expectations.

People Leadership

• Leads space planning staff, setting priorities and performance expectations, coaches team members to build technical, analytical, and leadership capabilities, fosters a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

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Skills & Abilities

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail

• Strong analytical, decision making, and problem solving skills.

• Financial acumen in both capital projects and expense budgeting.

• Expert knowledge of design software (e.g. AutoCAD), and building systems.

• Proven ability to manage staff.

• Expert knowledge of facility management best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree

• 12 years of relevant experience

Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Facility Manager (CFM) or similar professional certification.

Amount of Travel Required

20% - 40%

Driving Requirements

An appropriate and valid driver's license is required.

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position

Agency Disclaimer

All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Team will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.

Pay Range Max

USD $214,510.00

Pay Range Min

USD $122,595.00