About you:

We’re seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Design & Planning Leader to join our Workplace Development team. The Head of Workplace Design & Planning is responsible for facilitating an exceptional office experience, through strategic planning, innovative design solutions, and stakeholder coordination.

This role will oversee and manage the programming and design of Verkada offices and labs around the world, as well as support real estate strategy and manage our space planning program throughout the organization. In this role you will refine and document Verkada design standards and processes, and be an active contributor to the design of all capital projects. You will also support Verkada teams as a business partner through neighborhood and lab allocations, seat assignments, and other space planning program developments. Lab specific activities require assistance to allocate space, support the design and management of lab environments that enable device development, testing, and iterations.

In collaboration with the Workplace Team, delivering solutions with a strong focus on customer service is paramount to maintain a positive office environment. You are an individual who thrives in a fast paced, ever evolving environment, who is highly organized and possesses strong communication skills as well as being detail oriented. You have a growth and development mindset, know how to stay self-motivated, think out of the box, and lead with positivity. Our ideal candidate anticipates team member’s needs, demonstrates composure under pressure, has a passion for spatial strategy, functional office design, and creates experiential moments for Verkada employees.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and develop long-term capacity planning strategy for the organization’s global growth
• Develop spatial layouts and test fits and programming purposes for new and existing office space
• Oversee the planning and design phases of capital and operational projects
• Partner with the Development Launch team to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards
• Collaborate with stakeholders to development aligned program and project goals
• Provide guidance and expertise on design matters to ensure aesthetic and functional quality across all projects, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment
• Oversee the Space Planning process for operational improvements and expansions
• Work cross functionally with Workplace Operations and site leads to define space related programs
• Oversee maintenance of spatial data and space management tool
• Manage all space planning tools and related contracts
• Maintain office standards and recommend solutions in support of Workplace Operations and business partner requests
• Oversee the daily operations of Verkada labs, including: lab allocations, layouts, required power / data modifications, and commissioning to full operation
• Support engineering device labs through managing spatial allocation, varied lab infrastructure modifications, and general layout organization
• Understand building-level infrastructure to ensure proper power, data, and cooling configurations and maintenance
• Act as the primary point of contact for all engineering and product teams utilizing dedicated lab spaces
• Collaborate with engineering teams to understand and support the execution of lab specific programs
• Manage project specific FFE selection, procurement, and budget for capital expenditures
• Regular check-in with business partners regarding allocations, occupancy and room usage - monitor, provide proactive solutions, and improvement ideas
• Perform reports and analysis to articulate occupancy metrics, utilization rates, and growth forecasts
• Develop lab allocation process and program with quarterly assessments
• Respond and assist Workplace Operations with day-to-day space planning requests
• Manage space standard ratios for on/offline rooms, collaboration/soft seating and dining areas. Partner with Workplace Operations for annual refreshes
• Create presentations illustrating space programming concepts and occupancy via diagrams, data analysis and visualization, including preparation of block plans or stacking diagrams for stakeholders review
• Acts as the subject matter expert for planning tactical and strategic space planning and lab projects, including moves/adds/changes, strategic initiatives, innovations, and data integrity efforts
• Prepare allocation plans for moves, adds, and changes, and partner with Workplace Operations to ensure success of seating shifts
• Coordinate with the Workplace team to assist with building audits to verify employee locations, furniture layout, and room configurations are correctly noted in the space management tool
• Provide recommendations to improve operational efficiency, service delivery, cost-effectiveness, and innovative advancements across all functional areas
• Collaborate with leads from other disciplines: project management, engineering, and operations to deliver comprehensive solutions for Workplace and lab programs
• Manage all AutoCad drawings, responsible for spatial and data accuracy and uploading into the space management tool
• Travel to existing and prospective real estate holdings as necessary
• Other site specific duties and support may be required

Experience and Skills:

• 10+ years of professional experience in delivering integrated design and planning solutions across a global portfolio
• Manage and lead Planning & Design team
• A passion for providing exceptional customer service through human connection and and ongoing support
• 5+ years of management experience
• Proficiency in project management, and facilities management software solutions
• Passion for contributing to and building an overall positive workplace experience
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across departments, work collaboratively.
• Able to build strong relationships with internal and external partners to deliver effective services
• Strong organizational and planning skills, ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, projects, and ever-changing priorities, with proven ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders. Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinker and problem solver, with a demonstrated ability to develop conclusions and recommendations
• Ability to manage multiple and complex projects simultaneously, and prioritize actions with ever-changing priorities
• Experienced in managing programs of varied scope and complexity
• Comfortable navigating a fast-paced, open, collaborative, rapidly evolving environments
• Assumes ownership of requests in order to ensure successful completion
• Ability to work independently on critical projects, be able to produce high-quality executive presentations quickly and concurrently manage team to deliver high-quality projects
• Demonstrates composure and humility while working with internal partners and external vendors
• Knowledge of ADA requirements and building codes
• Proficiency in ACAD, CAFM systems, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Suite software applications and ability to read and interpret floor plans, preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Planning, Design or other relevant fields
• Ability to travel

US Employee Benefits

Verkada is committed to fostering a workplace environment that prioritizes the holistic health and wellbeing of our employees and their families by offering comprehensive wellness perks, benefits, and resources. Our benefits and perks programs include, but are not limited to:

• Healthcare programs that can be tailored to meet the personal health and financial well-being needs - Premiums are 100% covered for the employee under at least one plan and 80% for family premiums under all plans
• Nationwide medical, vision and dental coverage
• Health Saving Account (HSA) with annual employer contributions and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with tax saving options
• Expanded mental health support
• Paid parental leave policy & fertility benefits
• Time off to relax and recharge through our paid holidays, firmwide extended holidays, flexible PTO and personal sick time
• Professional development stipend
• Fertility Stipend
• Wellness/fitness benefits
• Healthy lunches provided daily
• Commuter benefits

Additional Information:

• You must be independently authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role, at this time.