Architect Planner Senior

HealthPartners is seeking a Senior Architect Planner to lead strategic facility planning and design for all capital projects across the system, with a focus on medium to large-scale and complex healthcare initiatives. This role provides leadership in front-end planning, including programming, clinical planning, and schematic design concepts, ensuring facilities are functional, safe, and compliant with regulatory standards. The Senior Architect Planner collaborates with healthcare providers, engineers, and design teams to develop patient-centered environments that enhance clinical outcomes and operational efficiency. This position also fosters relationships with local and national healthcare architecture firms to uphold HealthPartners’ design standards and utilizes Target Value Delivery methodologies to ensure innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable design solutions aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term facility goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture or related field (required).
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in architectural planning and design, with at least 5 years focused on healthcare facilities.
• Demonstrated experience in programming, clinical planning, and schematic design.
• Experience leading user group meetings and translating clinical needs into design solutions.
• Registered Architect (RA) in the State of Minnesota or eligible for reciprocity.

Skills

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and other design software.
• Familiarity with healthcare codes, guidelines (e.g., FGI), and regulatory standards.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead client presentations and facilitate stakeholder engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Architecture, Healthcare Design, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in healthcare architecture, including large-scale hospital or outpatient facility projects.
• Experience with Target Value Delivery (TVD) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methodologies.
• Certification in Evidence-Based Design (EDAC) or Lean Healthcare Design.
• Familiarity with sustainability frameworks such as LEED or WELL Building Standards.
• Proven ability to engage with executive leadership and external design partners.
• Experience working within a large healthcare system or academic medical center.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Design Leadership (20%)
  • Lead facilities advanced planning, including programming, planning, and design intent for hospitals, outpatient clinics, research, and administrative facilities.
  • Translate organizational strategy and clinical needs into innovative, functional, and patient-centered design concepts.
  • Develop and present master plans, space programs, and schematic design concepts to executives and key stakeholders.
  • Ensure alignment of facility planning with HealthPartners’ strategic, capital planning, and operational priorities.
• Project Oversight & Stakeholder Engagement (45%)
  • Manage multiple design and construction projects simultaneously, from concept through occupancy.
  • Facilitate user group meetings with clinicians, administrators, and facilities staff to ensure designs support clinical workflows and operational goals.
  • Communicate project vision, schedule, and impacts effectively across diverse audiences.
  • Serve as the architectural subject matter expert (SME) for the health system, coordinating with external architects, engineers, and contractors.
  • Conduct design reviews with Interior Design Program Manager and approve construction documents for compliance with system standards and applicable codes (e.g., FGI, NFPA, ADA).
  • Ensure all designs meet safety, accessibility, infection control, and sustainability standards.
• Regulatory & Compliance (10%)
  • Interface with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure compliance with healthcare facility regulations (e.g., HCAI/OSHPD, Joint Commission).
  • Maintain current knowledge of healthcare codes, building standards, and industry best practices.
• Design Standards & Innovation (15%)
  • Foster collaborative relationships with local and national healthcare architecture firms to uphold HealthPartners’ design standards.
  • Utilize Target Value Delivery (TVD) methodologies to guide teams toward cost-effective, high-value design solutions.
  • Partner with Interior Design Program Manager and Director of Design and Construction to champion sustainable and evidence-based design practices that enhance clinical outcomes and long-term facility performance.
• Mentorship & Leadership (10%)
  • Mentor project managers and potential future junior architects within the facilities planning team.
  • Promote continuous improvement and innovation in healthcare environments through leadership and knowledge sharing.

Organizational Expectations

• Values: All colleagues are expected to live the following values:
  • Excellence: Strive for the best results and always look for ways to improve.
  • Compassion: Care and show empathy and respect for each person.
  • Partnership: Work together and with those we serve to achieve the strongest outcomes.
  • Integrity: Be open and honest, and keep commitments.
• Comply with safety instructions, observe safe work practices, and promote a safe work environment.
• Maintain regular and timely attendance.
• Protect confidentiality.
• Participate in and support the organization's Corporate Integrity Program by completing compliance-related education and training and adhering to policies and procedures.
• Complete all mandatory education and organizational requirements (e.g., licensure/certification, Employee Health and Wellness requirements, annual training) in a timely manner.

Physical Demands

• Critical Job Demands:
  • Standing: Rare (1-5% of the time).
  • Walking: Occasional (6-33% of the time).
  • Sitting: Frequent (34-66% of the time).
  • Squatting: Rare (1-5% of the time).
  • Reaching: Occasional (6-33% of the time).
  • Lifting: Occasional (6-33% of the time).
  • Carrying: Occasional (6-33% of the time).
  • Pushing/Pulling: Occasional (6-33% of the time).
  • Handling/Fingering (includes typing, computer work, gripping, grasping, and pinching): Frequent (34-66% of the time).
• Strength Rating: Sedentary Work – Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently.

Hazard Assessment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Working with box cutters, knives, or other sharp cutting devices:
  • Potential Hazard: Penetration.
  • Hazard Control: Cut away from body. Use proper tool for the job. Use safety knife or safety box cutter.
  • PPE Required: Cut-resistant gloves.
• Working with liquid chemicals, acids, or caustics (e.g., reprocessing, cleaners, disinfectants, laboratory chemicals):
  • Potential Hazard: Chemicals, flammables, toxic gases, corrosives.
  • Hazard Control: Use only employer-approved products. Use appropriate soaking containers with labels. Understand hazards of chemicals (read MSDS).
  • PPE Required: Goggles, chemical face shield, chemical-resistant gloves, chemical-resistant aprons, lab coat, closed-toe shoes, powered air-purifying respirator.
• Exposed to extreme heat (e.g., autoclaves, blanket warmers, ovens, propane torches) or cold (e.g., liquid nitrogen, winter temperatures):
  • Potential Hazard: Heat, cold stress, burns, frostbite.
  • Hazard Control: Approach hot surfaces carefully. Use only approved liquid nitrogen dewars. Dispense only if trained.
  • PPE Required: Heat-resistant gloves, cryogenic (cold-resistant) gloves.