Campus Planning Leader

Colleges and universities are reimagining how their campuses support learning, research, community, and long-term resilience. Perkins&Will is seeking a visionary Campus Planning Leader to build and grow our higher education campus planning practice within our Urban Design group. In this role, you will partner with institutional leaders to translate academic mission, strategic priorities, and data-driven insights into transformative campus strategies, shaping environments that inspire innovation, strengthen community, and create lasting impact. Guided by our Living Design principles, youll help define the future of higher education through planning solutions that are sustainable, equitable, and visionary.

What Youll Do

• Lead transformative campus planning initiatives for colleges and universities, translating institutional vision, academic priorities, and data-informed insights into campus, district, and site strategies that advance sustainability, resilience, mobility, and equity.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to institutional leadership, facilitating engagement processes, building consensus among stakeholders, and guiding strategic decision-making.
• Build and grow the campus planning practice through business development, client relationship management, thought leadership, industry engagement, and pursuit leadership.
• Lead high-performing teams and project delivery, mentoring planners and designers while overseeing scope, financial performance, quality, and risk management.

What Youll Bring

• 15+ years of experience leading higher education campus planning and master planning efforts on the West Coast, and particularly California, with a strong understanding of enrollment, space utilization, capital planning, research, housing, and student life.
• Strong design, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas across scales through sketches, diagrams, presentations, and digital tools.
• Established relationships within the higher education sector, preferably with major research universities and public systems.
• Demonstrated success in business development, practice building, and leading, mentoring, and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in design and visualization tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Rhino, GIS, and related platforms.

Education and Credentials

• Bachelors degree in architecture, urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, or a related field required. Masters degree preferred.
• Architectural license, AICP, PLA, or equivalent credential preferred.
• LEED GA within 6 months of hire, and professional accreditation in one area of Living Design (e.g., LEED AP with Specialty, WELL AP, SITES AP, CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation).

Location and Travel

Bay Area residence preferred, West Coast residence required. Hybrid work flexibility is available and relocation will be considered. Occasional travel as required by projects.

What Youll Get

Salary range: $154,400-$207,300, commensurate with experience, education and skillset.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan and paid time off
• Professional development stipend and dedicated continuing education time
• Performance-based bonuses
• Access to firmwide affinity groups and leadership development programs
• Studio initiatives and events; a team that actually likes each other

Our Commitment

Our culture is grounded in a firmwide commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) - not as a tagline, but as how we hire, promote, and build teams. We conduct annual pay equity audits and train all managers on pay practices. We believe inclusion drives creativity.

How To Apply

Please submit a resume and a compact, representative portfolio (no larger than 4MB). Show us what youve led, not just what youve touched

Perkins&Will is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Pay Transparency: We are committed to pay equity. Compensation decisions are based on qualifications, skillset, and experience. Employees may discuss their own compensation without fear of retaliation. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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