Space Planner Project Manager - Novo Nordisk (Lexington, MA)
About The Department
Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Seattle reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.
The Position
The Space Planner Project Manager is responsible for managing phased growth, major move planning, and the implementation of optimized workspace solutions (NN WoW) across key US R&D sites, including Lexington and Waltham. Reporting to the Associate Director of Engineering and Projects, the Space Planner Project Manager will serve as a dedicated point of contact for stakeholders, coordinating space needs, driving cultural transitions, and ensuring strategic alignment. This position will also support other sites as needed and will focus on data-driven space management and long-term planning. As the company transitions to a growing, open-plan, unassigned seating model, this role is crucial in ensuring efficient space utilization, supporting the company's long-term growth strategies, and leading the change management process.
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Relationships
Reports to the Associate Director of Engineering and Projects. Collaborates with stakeholders across various departments and lines of business (LoB) to align space planning with organizational needs and strategic goals. Interacts with external vendors, contractors, and technology providers involved in space management, workplace optimization, and relocation services.
Essential Functions
Space Program Management: Act as the dedicated customer-facing single point of contact (SPOC) for space program management, managing stakeholder relationships and aligning space needs with long-term strategic goals
Develop and manage space utilization strategies that optimize workspace layouts, avoiding reactive and ad hoc expansions, and ensuring efficient use of space across the organization
Workspace Optimization (NN WoW): Oversee and manage the implementation of Novo Nordisk's Ways of Working (NN WoW) workspace optimization program across US R&D sites
Direct change management efforts to ensure smooth transitions to the new open-plan, unassigned seating model, fostering employee engagement and addressing any concerns or resistance
Local Project Management: Manage space-related projects within the MA locations
Data-Driven Space Management: Implement and manage technologies, sensors, (WattIQ, Verge-Sense, etc) that collect data on lab, workstation, and meeting room usage to enable informed planning and decision-making. Present data-driven insights and recommendations to senior management and other key stakeholders
Use space utilization data to forecast future workspace and lab needs, proactively identifying opportunities for more efficient space use that balances flexibility and cost-effectiveness
Move Planning & Execution: Lead and own the planning of major moves, particularly the upcoming Waltham move, starting in early 2025. Coordinate logistics, timelines, and communications to ensure seamless transitions during moves
Change Management & Cultural Transition: Drive the transition from assigned cubicles/offices to an open-plan, unassigned seating model, ensuring that this change is implemented with minimal disruption and maximum employee engagement
FM Ownership of Space: Take full ownership of space planning and management across office and lab environments, ensuring that space allocation is based on efficiency and not just departmental requests
Collaborate with R&D and other departments to ensure space is optimized, shared efficiently, and avoids excess or underutilized areas, aligning with the organization's long-term growth strategies
Stakeholder Engagement: Engage regularly with stakeholders to gather feedback, address concerns, and ensure that space planning aligns with the evolving needs of the business
Ensure that space planning decisions contribute to the company's sustainability goals, reducing the carbon footprint and operational costs through effective workspace utilization and reduction of excess real estate
Talent Attraction & Retention: Ensure the workspace environment aligns with the company's talent attraction and retention strategies by creating flexible, modern, and attractive workspaces that cater to a diverse, growing and dynamic workforce
Continuous Improvement: Stay informed of industry best practices and emerging trends in space planning and workplace management. Form internal and external networks of industry peers
Propose and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance space management processes and optimize the work environment
Physical Requirements
10% overnight travel required.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Facilities Management, or a related field. A Master's degree or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, LEED AP, IFMA) would be advantageous
Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in space planning, project management, or organizational move management, preferably within a pharmaceutical, R&D, or corporate environment
Space Planning Expertise: In-depth knowledge of space planning principles, workspace optimization strategies, and the ability to implement data-driven solutions
Change Management: Proven ability to lead change management initiatives, particularly in transitioning to new workplace models and managing cultural shifts within the organization, interface with senior management, key stakeholders, influence and drive change
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to various stakeholders
Project Management: Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple space planning projects simultaneously and deliver on time and within budget
Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make evidence-based recommendations
Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing space demands, new technologies, and evolving
Ability to conduct on-site space assessments, manage physical aspects of move planning, and oversee the implementation of space optimization solutions
Travel Requirements: Occasional travel to other US R&D sites may be required to support space planning and project management needs
Excellent verbal & written communication skills, capable of conveying complex information clearly to various stakeholders
We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.
At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.
Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.
If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
