Senior Occupancy Planner / Design Manager
Jones Lang LaSalle
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Work model
- On-Site
- Level
- Senior
- Posted
- Aug 18, 2026
About this role
JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way . Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. Senior Occupancy Planner / Design Manager JLL has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Occupancy Planner / Design Manager supporting a key financial services client across its workplace and retail portfolios. This highly visible role combines strategy, occupancy planning, portfolio optimization, and design management responsibilities to deliver innovative, efficient, and future-forward environments that support business objectives, employee experience, customer engagement, and operational excellence. As a trusted advisor, you will translate business requirements into physical space solutions by leading occupancy planning initiatives and providing standards and branding governance for real estate’s renovation and new build projects from programming through construction. You will play a critical role in contributing to their workplace strategy and design solutions that support business objectives to enhance the employee experience. You will leverage data, workplace trends, and strategic planning expertise to develop innovative and scalable workplace solutions across a diverse portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Partner with Corporate Real Estate, Workplace Experience, Project Management, and business leaders to identify workplace requirements and translate them into planning solutions. Develop stack plans, test fits, feasibility studies, capacity analyses, and scenario modeling to support business and real estate decisions. Analyze occupancy, utilization, and portfolio data to identify optimization opportunities and drive strategic recommendations. Establish and uphold workplace standards, planning guidelines, and brand governance requirements. Review and guide architectural and design deliverables from programming through construction. Support workplace transformation initiatives, relocations, consolidations, and portfolio optimization projects. Develop executive-level presentations and recommendations for client stakeholders and leadership teams. Collaborate with project teams to ensure occupancy requirements, design standards, budgets, and schedules remain aligned.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture, Interior Design, or related field. Minimum 7-10+ years of experience in workplace planning, occupancy planning, architecture, interior design, or related disciplines. Experience supporting financial services institutions, retail banking environments, or large corporate portfolios is highly preferred. Demonstrated experience leading corporate workplace renovations, workplace transformation initiatives, and/or retail design projects. Strong understanding of occupancy planning methodologies, workplace standards, utilization analytics, and portfolio planning. Proven ability to create and evaluate feasibility studies, scenario models, test fits, and space allocation plans. Experience working directly with architects, designers, and project managers throughout project lifecycles. Strong understanding of workplace guidelines, spatial relationships, furniture planning, and building systems. Working knowledge of local building codes, ADA requirements, and accessibility standards. Knowledge of WELL Building Standard, LEED certification, and sustainability initiatives preferred. Strong PowerPoint skills with ability to develop executive-level presentations and planning recommendations. Experience with AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, and