Higher Education Planning Specialist

Position Description

Cushing Terrell is seeking a Higher Education Planning Specialist to help colleges and universities navigate campus growth, workforce development, student success initiatives, capital investments, and facility planning. This role will engage institutional leaders early in the decision-making process, guiding campus master planning, strategic facility planning, programming, and long-range development efforts that shape the future of higher education across the Intermountain West and the other regions Cushing Terrell serves.

In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to institutional leaders, working alongside our design teams to turn planning insights into successful projects while supporting business development and client relationships across the higher education market.

Position Salary Range*

The expected salary range for this position is $100,000 to $140,000 annually.

Required Qualifications**

• 15 years of experience in higher education design, planning, campus development, facilities management, architecture, or institutional leadership
• Strong facilitation, strategic planning, and relationship-building skills
• Understanding of capital planning, campus operations, and higher education trends
• Passion for helping institutions create environments that support student success, workforce development, and long-term growth

Preferred Qualifications**

• Architectural license/registration

Did you know that some people hold back on applying to jobs if they don’t meet 100% of the listed requirements? We don’t want you to hold back! If you check most of the qualifications above and believe you could successfully do the work, we encourage you to apply!

Position Responsibilities***

• Lead campus master planning and strategic facility planning initiatives
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement, visioning sessions, and planning workshops
• Advise colleges and universities on capital planning, space utilization, and campus growth strategies
• Conduct campus assessments, educational adequacy studies, and planning analyses
• Support business development and client relationship growth throughout the higher education market
• Collaborate with design teams to translate planning efforts into successful project opportunities
• Other duties as assigned

Working at Cushing Terrell

Cushing Terrell is a multidisciplinary design firm with 17 offices and more than 500 team members who bring together their expertise to deliver holistic built environments. Leveraging our influence as designers, we work to create sustainable systems and spaces that help people live their best lives.

Why Cushing Terrell

At Cushing Terrell, we empower creative designers to discover imaginative, responsible, first-of-their-kind environments. But more than that, we support a strong, cohesive team, from our design professionals to our business operations staff. Together, we champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, placing people at the center of our practice, thus our tagline, “design meets you.” Together, we find joy in uncovering imaginative solutions for the people who work here, the people we work for, and the planet as a whole. We offer a competitive benefits package, work opportunities in a variety of locations and markets, and a company culture that celebrates all the unique viewpoints and personalities that make up our talented team. View our Employee Benefits Guide: https://cushingterrell.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CushingTerrell\_BenefitsGuide\_2026\_rev.pdf

Things to Note

• Actual pay will be determined based on the candidate’s years of experience, licensure status, location, level of proficiency, and other job-related factors (as permitted by law). This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus.

**Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Cushing Terrell will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

***The majority of the time, a person in this role will be sitting in an office with limited physical requirements. This may require individuals to bend, stretch, twist, and reach.

Cushing Terrell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Contact 406.248.7455 if you require assistance or accommodation during the employment application process.

Note to recruitment agencies: Cushing Terrell does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of Cushing Terrell without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of Cushing Terrell.