Come work as a Manager, Space Planning with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Reporting to the Director, or designate, the Manager of Space Planning oversees the space planning portfolio. Collaboration and the ability to prioritize is essential in supporting facility projects. Projects range from minor space optimizations to major redevelopments across VCH, and may include test fits to support feasibility and/or furniture selection for project implementation. Space Planning works closely with facility programmers, project managers, operational leadership and external vendors with a common goal of meeting project deliverables on schedule. This role provides leadership to the space planning team through clear communication, culture building, advocating best practices and mentorship. This is also a key role in developing space management strategies for the corporate real estate portfolio. 

As a Manager, Space Planning with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Manage the planning and implementation of new facilities, larger renovation projects, and/or a portfolio of smaller projects from the initial planning and design stages through to implementation and completion; provide support by conveying policies and priorities, directing work and ensuring issues are resolved or escalated to appropriate level(s) to meet project deliverables and timelines.
• Establish project team structure by gathering input from stakeholders, identifying needs and skills required, directing and supervising designated staff by assigning work, orienting staff, developing and implementing appropriate staff development and retention plans and conducting performance evaluations as required.
• Establish effective communications channels to ensure stakeholders are fully engaged and aware of project status. Provide frequent clear and concise reports to Facilities and senior organizational leadership regarding ongoing issues, progress updates, challenges and opportunities.
• Carry out project plans according to established departmental project methodologies and systems to ensure successful and coordinated completion of project components by facilitating consensus with stakeholders. Monitor project charter, plans, budget, scope, schedule, expenditures, client satisfaction and risks, report on variances and impacts to deliverables, and make recommendations to department leadership to mitigate cost overruns, maintain adherence to allocated budgets and timelines, and ensure delivery of a successful project.
• Lead business plan development for large capital projects through the preparation of feasibility studies, analysis and solution development, development of the project charter, functional requirements, scope and design concepts, budgets and implementation planning.
• Manage strategic space and facility planning initiatives including development of site master plans, regional planning studies, capital funding strategies and asset leveraging opportunities.
• Serve as a Facilities site coordinator monitoring all planning and project activities on designated site(s), including those led by other Facilities teams, identifying areas of overlap, conflict, and coordination. Liaise with site and departmental leadership to identify, recommend and implement management strategies.
• Lead and oversee planning, design and contract preparation by engaging clinical planners, equipment planners, design consultants and various user groups for assigned projects; review and sign off schematic designs, design development documents, and working drawings and specs for functionality, attainment of program/facility needs, adherence to technical standards and specifications, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the design solution, consistency with best practices, energy & environmental sustainability, and building code compliance.  Lead and/or facilitate all stages of project construction and operational commissioning.
• Lead the engagement of professional consultants and contractors with support from Procurement. Manage established contracts and oversee performance to ensure that consultants and contractors complete on obligations and deliverables, negotiate changes and resolve disputes within authorized limits.
• Liaise with the Planning and Engineering Departments of various municipalities in geographic areas supported by the organization. Negotiate and establish requirements and approvals for facilities projects such as development, building and rezoning permits, as needed.
• Establish and maintain a network of relationships and influences in order to promote site interests and issues and to influence decision making affecting project outcomes with internal groups/departments. Monitor adherence to established quality control/risk management protocols.
• Identify, communicate, and work with appropriate stakeholders to mitigate potential risk management issues. Manage ongoing customer relations. Ensure the organization’s interests are represented in the resolution of problems.
• Manage the recruitment, orientation and professional development of employees through the formal assessment of training needs and development of training plans. Ensure staff are knowledgeable and fully understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Update department knowledge of current and emerging facility design and innovations through evidence-based design concepts; use design and construction research in the development and updating of design and construction standards and guidelines. Develop and coordinate facilities planning practices principles, standards and policy through application of evidence-based best practice and LEAN principles.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements.  Immediately report unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design or related field.
• Minimum seven (7) years relevant project experience and two (2) years in a management or leadership role within a complex institutional environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Knowledge of capital project planning and implementation processes including design, construction and procurement within current standards, codes, bylaws and regulations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of project management principles and methodologies and ability to coach team members on these skills.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings and construction specifications.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage planning, design and construction projects simultaneously.
• Broad knowledge of patient care delivery systems in primary, acute and community settings.
• Understanding of available resources for projects and applicable stakeholder groups including feedback and detailed analysis on project processes.
• Ability to supervise and provide direction to team members.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, plan, organize, prioritize and implement projects in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a dynamic project environment with changing priorities.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Ability to operate related equipment including related software applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
  
  

As per the current Public Health Orders, as of October 5, 2023, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have received a single dose of the most-recent, updated COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

Why Join Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH):

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and 'going first' when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.