System Director Planning and Design

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System Director Planning and Design

role at

CommonSpirit Health .

Job Summary

The System Director, Planning Design & Construction (PDC) will be responsible for transforming, building, and leading an industry‑leading healthcare Planning & Design management program. This includes developing the critical planning and design functions to support the capital management project life cycle (planning, budgeting, forecasting), tailored project delivery, operationalization, and risk management aligned to the specifics of each business plan and each asset type within our full Integrated Delivery Network (IDN). The role collaborates and partners with key verticals within National Real Estate Services (NRES) and stakeholders and business owners in the National RealEstate Services Project Delivery Platform and National Business Unit, serving as a foundation for the success of this program.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for the development of an industry‑leading System level Planning & Design platform, delivering innovative project delivery solutions tailored to regional project delivery teams across all geographies and project types.

Build a System level Planning & Design high‑performing team combining existing members, new hires, regional resources, and third‑party partners to deliver an industry‑leading healthcare Planning & Design program across the entire CommonSpirit Health real estate portfolio.

Structure dynamic teams that solve problems and focus on Planning & Design to support the project delivery team in adhering to the project budgets and approved business plans.

Establish and maintain the leanest Planning & Design structure and team possible to produce consistent results that meet the organization’s annual and multi‑year capital program budgets as approved by the Capital Allocation Committee and the Board of Stewardship Trustees.

Integrate the NRES support services platform and resources to leverage the Planning & Design platform, streamlining and standardizing the delivery of each initiative; this includes legal, finance, communications, tools, technologies, procurement, and contract support.

Provide leadership support in creating and implementing a professional development program that ensures CSH can retain and grow the project management team to meet the needs of a growing capital program, addressing an aging workforce.

Administer the System Planning & Design professional development program for the team, including structured NRES assessments and evaluations (e.g., 6 Box and annual reviews), internal and external programs, and a formal mentorship program.

Support the Project Delivery team in achieving the NRES Delivery Platform performance and financial KPIs required to achieve an industry‑leading program.

Actual project expenditures within 2% of the total approved project budgets.

Annual cash spend within 5% of the annual approved budget (by project and in aggregate).

2% of projects involved in project disputes utilizing dispute resolution clauses (rolling 3‑year average).

98% of all projects completed on time consistent with the approved charter or business plan.

100% of all projects completed in conformance to the approved business plan (scope and budget).

Increase vendor diversity (WMBE, MBE, VBE, other) by 10% annually.

Client satisfaction scores exceeding 4.8 out of 5.0, both mid‑project and completion surveys.

100% SSOT compliance within 6 weeks of project completion (all materials uploaded).

100% of projects meeting or exceeding the defined CSH Climate Action Plan goals.

Reviewed and updated annually to ensure continuous improvement is maintained.

Guide the System Planning & Design team in partnering with the NRES Strategy, Project Controls, Project Delivery, Facility Operations, and National Programs Teams to develop project solutions aligned with CSH business plan timelines and processes.

Support regional strategic master planning projects led by the NRES Strategy, Project Controls, and Project Delivery team, providing detailed and accurate budgets with monthly, annual, and complete cash‑flow forecasting.

Lead the System Planning & Design team in partnering with the NRES Strategy, Project Controls, Project Delivery, Facility Operations, and National Programs Teams in the development and deployment of system‑wide design standards and guidelines for all project types within CSH.

Develop and maintain the comprehensive Planning & Design guidelines across all geographies and project types.

Ensure planning and design teams develop physical solutions aligned with the strategic direction and business cases.

Develop, maintain, and evolve a post‑occupancy survey program that drives innovation and strategic evolution of the Planning & Design guidelines.

Support development and maintenance of the comprehensive Project Delivery Manual (“PDM”) incorporating multiple project delivery options, design and construction guidelines, and CSH policies and procedures.

Partner with the tools & technology team and the SVP in selecting and implementing technology platforms required to support the Planning & Design platform.

Fully integrate the technology platform and associated data streams into dashboards and NRES reporting tools, continuously updating to provide the most relevant data and information.

Partner with the SVP to develop innovative project delivery methodologies aligned with industry‑leading practices, focusing on exceptional value for each project and the program collectively.

Establish and oversee the operationalization of the Planning & Design team, ensuring transition and training programs are developed for all users and incorporating project close‑out activities.

Lead the development and maintenance of planning and design contracts for each delivery methodology outlined within the PDM in partnership with the Legal RE Center of Excellence, focusing on flexibility and balanced risk sharing.

Work with the SVP, Planning & Design, and Project Delivery Teams to establish and maintain a continuous improvement program for guidelines, PDM, processes, tools, and technologies.

Maintain deep and diverse System Level relationships to lead the Planning & Design partners within the Preferred Provider Network through industry networking, relationship management, cultivation of MBE / WBE / VBE enterprises, and targeted RFP processes.

Guide the Planning & Design team in supporting the Project Delivery team in selecting the most appropriate project teams, conducting RFP processes, and negotiating best value.

Institute risk tracking and management processes for System projects and programs, ensuring technology tools track, monitor, and report these risks.

Provide System level support for dispute resolution, guiding the Planning & Design teams in negotiating solutions and coordinating with RECOE, counsel, and experts.

Partner with support services to develop Planning & Design dashboards conveying real‑time status information, aggregated by market, region, type, and resources, and issue monthly status reports tailored to key stakeholders.

Lead consistent project reporting, including monthly Executive Leadership Team reports, monthly FP&A updates, and quarterly Business Reviews, with automation where possible.

Develop and administer the multi‑year Planning & Design forecasting process aligned with NRES Strategy & Planning and NRES Finance teams.

Establish a Planning & Design prioritization process aligned with market planning and organizational business planning requirements.

Guide teams in improving business control practices, leading problem identification, solving, and implementing solutions.

Lead by example, serving as a role model, communicating with clarity, focusing on results, and promoting healthy work‑life harmony.

Participate in cross‑functional project reviews, major project reviews, and ongoing evolution of the PDC process, including post‑occupancy evaluations.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Business, or a related background is required.

Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in management, real estate, or architecture will be considered valuable.

20+ years of experience with progressively significant leadership and management responsibilities in healthcare design or medical planning with a primary healthcare focus.

Demonstrated success in developing and leading a system‑level medical planning and design platform with multisite and multistate delivery requirements.

Experience leading the medical planning and design of complex healthcare programs with significant scale and appropriate complexity levels.

Demonstrated success in working with project delivery teams to develop processes and tools to support building and implementing multi‑faceted delivery strategies for multi‑site healthcare systems.

National medical planning and design experience, understanding of regulatory and jurisdictional realities across multiple markets.

Understanding of the CA seismic program administered by HCAI and how this influences project delivery.

Preferred

Professional license, registration and / or certification.

Where You’ll Work

At the heart of CommonSpirit Health’s ministry are the national office departments that provide foundational support, resources, and expertise that empower local communities to focus on caring for patients. Our teams bring together expertise in clinical excellence, operations, finance, human resources, legal, supply chain, technology, and mission integration. Guided by faith‑based values, the national office fosters consistency, alignment, and innovation across CommonSpirit, centralizing expertise while allowing each location to maintain flexibility for local needs.

Pay Range

85.61 - $127.35 per hour

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