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

The Space Planning Senior Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the space planning portfolio across Vancouver Coastal Health facilities. Reporting to the Director of Facilities Functional Planning, the Senior Manager works closely with the Director to foster collaborative relationships with key partners and develop effective strategies that align with VCH’s strategic goals. The Senior Manager will leverage their leadership skills to ensure the portfolio’s success and prioritize staff performance on corporate, clinical, and acute projects across all VCH communities. A comprehensive understanding of industry best practices and methodologies in space planning, space management, and project management is required, including proven ability to lead and mentor the team through creative problem-solving, process improvements, and partner relations. This person is a values-based leader that prioritizes collaboration and team results while delivering on initiatives that align with VCH’s strategic plan.

This work is framed within VCH’s commitments to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Planetary Health.

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

• Lead and provide expertise in all aspects of space planning, space management, and design across the health authority.
• Use skillset to achieve high-performance results while championing a culture of caring, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Provide effective leadership to designated staff through training, delegation, coaching, mentoring, career development and performance management, while fostering an atmosphere that promotes and encourages employees to realize their maximum potential and growth.
• Oversee all aspects of human resource management within the portfolio including performance assessments, appraisals, resolving conflicts, and recruiting staff.
• Develop collaborative relationships with internal partners, consultants, and vendors to ensure alignment with departmental priorities and organizational strategic plans. 
• Oversee the project portfolio by ensuring appropriate planning resources are assigned for administrative, corporate, clinical, and acute healthcare projects. Space Planning accountabilities include inventorying of space and furniture; test fits and furniture planning; furniture specification and coordination of install; supporting procurement activities; project close-out and warranty support; creation of space plans, renderings, and furniture lists; championing space management initiatives; and management of space databases. 
• Manage staff to ensure timelines and deliverables are achieved while staff operate in accordance with processes and applicable standards, such as infection control and accessibility.
• Collaborate closely with Facility Programming to ensure a seamless workflow and liaise with user groups, project managers, equipment planners, vendors, and other project partners as needed.
• Support space planning committees and recommends strategies to manage site or organization-wide space pressures. Provide recommendations to improve the operations, efficiency, and effectiveness of impacted business units.
• Provide leadership and support to staff so they are enabled to recommend solutions most aligned with VCH goals and program requirements; problem solve with partners, advocate for best practices; facilitate consensus; identify and mitigate risks; and apply lessons learned for improvements to processes and templates.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with occupational health and safety, infection control, and municipal requirements.
• Maintain a high value network of professionals to increase knowledge of design and facility trends, techniques, methodologies, and relevant industry information.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, or related field, with five (5) to seven (7) years in progressive leadership roles within large and complex environments, preferably healthcare, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Current BC Driver’s License may be required, as travel within the health authority geographic area is required.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Proven ability to manage a space planning portfolio within a large and dynamic environment, with a strong foundation in design and space management.
• Effective and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills including consensus building, problem solving, conflict management, tactical planning, decision-making, and emotional intelligence.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies, fair procurement practices, and furniture supply chain logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to understand functional programs, data utilization metrics, construction drawings, furniture specifications, and vendor quotes.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with key internal and external partners to promote and enhance services provided with sensitivity to diversity and indigenous lens.
• Practices the recognition, inclusion and support of all types and aspects of diversity at all stages of engagement, with an understanding of the issues faced by people from equity-deserving groups.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and AutoCAD, and comfortable with enterprise software like Archibus and SharePoint.
• Knowledge of standards, building codes, and by-laws applicable to space planning.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
  
  

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

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

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

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.