Architecture - Medical Planner

HOK marked its 70th anniversary in 2025, and we continue to be a collective of future-forward thinkers and designers committed to tackling the critical challenges of our time. Our mission is simple yet powerful: improve lives, serve our clients, and heal the planet. At HOK, design excellence thrives at the intersection of art and science-where creativity meets purpose.

Explore some of our recent work in the HOK 2026 Design Annual and see how we're shaping the future of design.

We are currently seeking a Medical Planner to join our dynamic Healthcare practice in Houston. At HOK, we're dedicated to designing spaces that enhance patient care, optimize workflows, and elevate the patient experience. Our transformational planning and design ideas and solutions address the diverse needs of patients, families, and staff. We prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, promote sustainability, advance the science and art of medicine, and provide value to our clients and communities.

As a Medical Planner, you will be responsible for leading the medical planning efforts toward the successful completion of complex healthcare facilities, provide overall programming, master planning, design and medical planning, communicate with clients/user groups to understand project requirements, and represent the firm nationally as a technical expert.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

• Provides medical planning expertise to other team members and the firm-wide healthcare practice.
• Translates complex clinical, operational, and stakeholder requirements into clear functional and buildable architectural planning solutions.
• Participates in user groups (heads of departments, specialists, etc.) to collect program needs for healthcare facilities and assists with technical aspects of the meeting.
• Develops a comprehensive understanding of clients’ program requirements and standards and policies for completion.
• Active team member in executing SD, DD, and CD phases of projects.
• Provides technical knowledge in the design and planning of various-sized medical and healthcare facilities.
• Ensures project inter-disciplinary and quality control coordination.
• Develops architectural drawings to communicate planning concepts for project documentation and construction.
• Prepares and modifies architectural documents, elevations, sections, details, etc.
• Anticipates and develops solutions to technical and design problems following established standards.
• Communicates planning concepts to project teams, both verbally and through graphic and written reports.
• Actively seeks new knowledge in the design and planning of medical and healthcare facilities.
• Supervises other team members in conjunction with project managers.
• May lead periodic project meetings and presentations; ensure client is adequately briefed on project progress.
• May mentor and direct the work of less experienced staff.
• Participates actively in the firm-wide Healthcare practice within HOK.
• Actively participates in industry associations to ensure visibility.
• Promotes the principles of sustainability and Evidence Based Design.
• Fosters a commitment to external and internal client service.

Teamwork

• Assists in developing project scope, plan, and services and during the contract process. Translates planning concepts into comprehensible terms for clients, designers, and project team members.
• Assists in the design development, modification, and/or review of medical planning concepts and solutions.
• Assists in establishing overall project budgets and milestone schedules in coordination with project managers, architects, and project engineers.
• Coordinates with various consultants to implement medical planning
• Assists in the development of standard materials that describe the portfolio, systems, processes, and people of the Healthcare Group.
• Prepares 2D and 3D presentation/design drawings.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or equivalent in education or experience required and healthcare design certification preferred. Master Degree preferred.
• At least 5 years’ prior experience focused on a variety of healthcare projects - full new facilities, additions, renovations, and departments with some large-scale, complex healthcare projects required.
• Architecture license preferred.
• LEED credential required within 12 months of employment.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrated creativity, passion, and interest in design and planning of healthcare facilities.
• Advanced knowledge of progressive technical and regulatory requirements for healthcare facilities design and understanding of fundamental departmental organization and functionality.
• Advanced knowledge of healthcare delivery systems and how design impacts those systems – public/private space, adjacencies, staff and patient flow, support functions, central plant, etc.
• Advanced knowledge of building codes and healthcare planning guidelines, and the ability to research and apply/incorporate them into technical documents.
• Proficiency in Revit required.
• Proficiency in 3D Modeling software such as 3D Studio Max and Viz 2006 preferred.
• Knowledge about sustainability and LEED preferred.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Ability to lead planning deliverables on various scales of healthcare projects.
• Ability to work in team environment.
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing; ability to convey medical planning needs to designers and other team members.
• Actively completing IDP requirements.
• Possess basic hand and CAD drafting skills.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD/Architectural Desktop.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Photoshop, and InDesign software for presentations.
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

OTHER:

• Travel may be required.
• Overtime may be required.
• The job duties and requirements that this document describes may be altered or supplemented at any time at the sole discretion of HOK.

Many of our roles require the use of specific software. Please refer to the Required and Preferred Software & Skills for details.

HOK invests in its people and communities, supporting both personal and professional growth through every stage of life. At HOK you’ll have a hybrid work environment, 10 paid holidays (including 2 floating holidays) and a minimum of 4 weeks of paid time off with a cash out option. HOK offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, free mental wellness resources, life and AD&D coverage and short and long-term disability benefits. HOK supports your growing family by offering 4 weeks of paid parental leave and fertility coverage. HOK helps to fund your future financial needs with matching contributions to our 401(K) plan which includes a well-rounded investment menu as well as free guidance on retirement planning.

Wherever you are in your career, HOK provides opportunities to learn, develop and utilize your skills. Continued learning is promoted through financial support and study prep for licensure exams, CEU credit opportunities, mentorship programs, and paid professional memberships. To learn more about designing your career with HOK, explore our current job openings.

HOK is an EOE, including disability/vets.