Director, Global Space & Occupancy Planning

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director, Global Space & Occupancy Planning based in the United States.

As Director, Global Space & Occupancy Planning, you will lead the strategic planning and optimization of workplace space across a large, complex global portfolio. You’ll translate business growth, workforce, and workplace needs into data-driven occupancy and portfolio strategies. The role combines workplace strategy, space planning, analytics, financial planning, governance, and executive stakeholder engagement. You’ll advise senior leaders on hybrid work, utilization, capacity, portfolio efficiency, and future workplace requirements. You’ll also lead a multidisciplinary global team and establish scalable standards that improve consistency and operational performance. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced real estate professional who can connect strategic vision with measurable workplace and business outcomes.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the global Space and Occupancy Planning function, aligning workplace strategy, business objectives, workforce requirements, and real estate investments across a complex portfolio.
• Develop short- and long-term occupancy strategies covering utilization, capacity planning, space allocation, portfolio optimization, and workforce growth.
• Advise senior leadership on workplace trends, hybrid work strategies, portfolio efficiency, and future-state workplace requirements.
• Translate business priorities into actionable occupancy, space, and workplace recommendations that improve utilization, manage costs, mitigate risk, and enhance employee experience.
• Establish global occupancy planning standards, methodologies, governance frameworks, playbooks, procedures, and service delivery models.
• Lead demand forecasting, capacity modeling, scenario planning, workforce analysis, utilization studies, and occupancy assessments.
• Use portfolio data and workplace analytics to identify optimization opportunities and provide clear, executive-level recommendations.
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and consistency of occupancy, allocation, utilization, and portfolio reporting.
• Support workplace transformation initiatives, including consolidations, expansions, relocations, redesigns, and return-to-office strategies.
• Develop workplace approaches that promote flexibility, collaboration, employee engagement, business continuity, and effective use of space.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across Corporate Real Estate, Facilities, HR, Technology, Business Operations, and regional leadership.
• Lead executive business reviews and communicate complex data, portfolio scenarios, and strategic recommendations through clear, compelling storytelling.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, consistency, scalability, and governance compliance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a global team of space planners, occupancy planners, move managers, workplace strategists, and related professionals.
• Establish team objectives, staffing and workforce plans, succession strategies, and professional development opportunities.
• Support financial and portfolio planning through occupancy cost benchmarking, financial analysis, scenario modeling, budgets, forecasts, and resource planning.
• Identify opportunities to increase space efficiency and real estate value while partnering with Finance and Real Estate leadership on investment business cases.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Corporate Real Estate, Facilities Management, Urban Planning, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in Corporate Real Estate, Occupancy Planning, Workplace Strategy, Portfolio Planning, Space Management, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience managing regional or global teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading occupancy planning programs across large and complex corporate portfolios.
• Deep expertise in occupancy analytics, utilization planning, demand forecasting, capacity modeling, scenario planning, and portfolio optimization.
• Experience supporting hybrid workplace models and broader workplace transformation initiatives.
• Advanced analytical capabilities, with a proven ability to turn complex data into practical business and real estate recommendations.
• Exceptional executive presentation, communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and influence strategic decisions across multiple functions and regions.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with operational discipline, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience supporting global enterprise clients and multi-region portfolios is preferred.
• Experience in professional services, technology, financial services, or knowledge-worker environments is preferred.
• Familiarity with CAFM/IWMS platforms such as Serraview, Archibus, TRIRIGA, or similar systems is preferred.
• Experience with workplace analytics and business intelligence tools such as Power BI and Tableau is a plus.
• Professional credentials such as MCR, SLCR, PMP, LEED, IFMA, or CoreNet Global certifications are preferred.

Benefits

• Annual salary range of $153,000-$180,000, with individual compensation determined by factors including geographic location, experience, qualifications, and applicable market conditions.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options for eligible employees.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
• Retirement savings plan options.
• Life insurance and disability insurance programs.
• Paid and unpaid time away from work, subject to applicable policies and eligibility.
• Fully remote working opportunity within the United States.
• Opportunity to lead global workplace strategy and influence significant real estate and workforce decisions.
• High-visibility leadership role with direct engagement across executive, regional, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Opportunity to lead and develop a multidisciplinary global team.
• Competitive compensation and benefits designed to support employee wellbeing and long-term professional growth.