Sr Lab Planner

Overview:

HGA’s Community + Live and Workplace markets are excited to welcome an experienced, detail-driven Senior Lab Planner to our team!Location: Minneapolis, MN, Madison, WI or Milwaukee, WI In this role, you will collaborate with Principals, Project Managers, and Designers to lead architectural laboratory programming and planning efforts. Your expertise will help shape innovative research, development, and science & technology environments for corporate, government, and academic clients. If you're passionate about creating spaces that advance discovery and innovation while working in a highly collaborative environment, we'd love to hear from you.

The Senior Lab Planner is a key contributor to HGA's planning practice, bringing deep expertise in laboratory programming, planning, and project delivery to develop innovative, sustainable, and high-performing solutions. Working closely with Principals, Design Principals, Project Managers, and clients, this role leads planning efforts for complex projects, facilitates stakeholder engagement, and translates scientific, operational, and technical requirements into effective planning strategies.

As a trusted client-facing leader, the Senior Lab Planner is responsible for delivering planning excellence across all phases of a project. This role mentors emerging planners, contributes to the growth and advancement of HGA's planning practice, and ensures planning solutions balance functionality, flexibility, safety, and long-term performance. While highly influential in project strategy and delivery, this position does not carry primary responsibility for business development or practice ownership.

In this role you will:

Research & Analysis

• Lead complex research and data analysis to inform planning, programming, and operational strategies.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of data, synthesize findings, and translate insights into actionable recommendations that drive client and project decisions.

Planning & Documentation

• Develop, lead, and oversee comprehensive planning and programming initiatives, including space analysis, master planning, and implementation strategies.
• Produce high-quality planning deliverables, including detailed diagrams, reports, and presentations that align with client objectives and project goals.
• Ensure all planning solutions comply with relevant codes, specialty guidelines, and industry best practices.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead client workshops, stakeholder meetings, and collaborative sessions to gather input, build consensus, and align planning strategies with operational goals.
• Present planning concepts confidently to senior stakeholders and document feedback to inform design and operational decisions.

Coordination & Collaboration

• Serve as the primary point of coordination for planning scope across multidisciplinary teams, including architects, engineers, and specialty consultants.
• Ensure planning deliverables are integrated with design, technical systems, and project objectives, while identifying and mitigating risks proactively.

Professional Leadership & Development

• Mentor junior planners and interns, fostering technical skill growth, professional judgment, and client-facing capabilities.
• Contribute to firmwide planning standards, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and process improvements to enhance the quality and consistency of planning work.
• Act as a subject-matter expert, supporting strategic decision-making on complex or high-profile projects.

You will need to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, or related field.; Master’s degree preferred.
• Architectural licensure preferred.
• 12+ years architectural lab programming/planning experience.
• LEED AP preferred.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in managing clients, project teams and project processes.
• Design sensitivity, interest in sustainability and excellent technical ability.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp and other industry accepted software as well as expertise with project management software and Microsoft Office Suite products is needed.
• AICP, FAICP, LEED or other relevant professional accreditation preferred.

Salary Information:

The pay range listed aligns to the geography of the office for which this position is posted. Actual compensation will be based upon work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer. Individuals in this role working more than 24 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in HGA’s robust benefit programs which include an annual bonus and success sharing bonus program, 401(k) guaranteed contribution, paid parental leave, medical, dental and life insurance plans as well as PTO and short- and long-term disability programs. Salary Range: $124,000 - $136,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

Additional Information:

At HGA, you’ll do the best work of your career. We design with impact by diving deep into the people and passions that shape every place. Empathy fuels us, curiosity drives us, and meaningful work leads to innovation. We celebrate individuality, embrace flexibility, and thrive together in the office three days a week.

Join our nationally recognized, award-winning team of architects, engineers, and interior designers - help us shape what’s next.

Learn more about us here.

Application Requirements & InstructionsPlease submit resume and portfolio for consideration.