Client Planning Manager Job

Vacancy No. 5P-2025-0017 Department Public Buildings Service
Salary $86,962.00 to $126,198.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/2/2024 Close Date 12/13/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Chicago, ILSpringfield, ILIndianapolis, INDetroit, MI


Summary

As a Client Planning Manager, you will ensure comprehensive and seamless client support and develop and leverage relationships to assist customers in achieving their business objectives.

This position is located in the Public Buildings Service (PBS), Real Estate Division (RED), Customer Engagement and Planning Management Branch.

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Duties

This position is located in the Public Buildings Service (PBS), Real Estate Division (RED).  This division manages the acquisition of leased space – and the renovation of existing leased and federal space – to support customer agency real estate needs.  

This position has job functions that must be executed within specific geographic locations. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area: Chicago, IL; Springfield, IL; Indianapolis, IN; Milwaukee, WI; Detroit, MI; Grand Rapids, MI; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Minneapolis, MN; and St. Paul, MN. You will be expected to report to a specific General Services Administration (GSA) duty location at least one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Proactively builds relationships across the Region with National Office, and in the client agency.
  • Facilitating the resolution of a variety of customer service issues (within the Scope of authority) by working collaboratively with the client and regional staff.
  • Researches customer/project/transactional issues and customer service complaints to understand the problem(s), history, root causes, and the impact on both the client and organization.
  • Determines when to elevate issues to senior leadership.
  • Manages client expectations and ensures that the client has a clear understanding of joint responsibilities.
  • Provides accurate, reliable and timely information in response to client questions and requests.
  • Serves as a primary contact to the customer by managing customer accounts; being proactive in assessing customer needs and/or requirements; managing customer expectations; and being aware of customer’s national initiatives and/or issues.
  • May be required to be the Project Manager for specific issues or projects that have become usually complex or have political interest and need to be resolved quickly.
  • Conducts project reviews and periodic customer meetings.
  • Recommends efficiencies across multiple transactions and customer levels, and provides inputs to other employees to improve product delivery and customer experience.
  • Participates in the development of relationships across client's National, Regional, and Field Organizations including operational and support units and higher level management at the national level when appropriate.
  • Maintains current knowledge of client agency and programming documents and guidance, which influence workplace decisions.
  • Ensures consistency in the application of account management and planning principles.
  • As a client advocate, promotes a client-focused approach designed to integrate client initiatives and perspectives into the business model.
  • Conducts research to understand the client’s mission and business drivers and assess factors, which may affect its regional workplace needs.
  • Gathers and analyzes client information and data to identify client business trends and outlook.
  • Collects and analyzes information on the client’s workplace needs in relation to upcoming occupancy expirations, continuing and changing operational needs, etc.
  • Actively participates in the account management process.
  • Participates in the development of account and regional business plan goals, strategies, and activities – collaborating with the national and other regional offices.
  • Implementing, measuring and monitoring account strategies and business opportunities.
  • Providing feedback to regional leadership regarding the overall effectiveness of policy, procedures and operations related to client effectiveness of regional marketing efforts.
  • Manages or reviews expiring client agency assignments to eliminate inadvertent lease and assignment extensions.
  • Collaborates and develops action plans for all space requirements at least 36 months prior to Occupancy Agreement expiration, or 60 months prior to prospectus-level projects.
  • Serves as a point of contact for the client during the identification phase of the project delivery process.
  • Manages customer expectations.
  • Provides accurate, reliable, and timely information in response to client questions regarding Planning issues.
  • Recommends efficiencies and provides input to other employees to improve product delivery and customer experience.
  • Participates on divisional teams to address and resolve customer strategic and tactical issues.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
  • Meet all eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
  • Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
  • Direct Deposit of salary check to financial organization required.

  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

  • the exact dates you held  each job (from month/year to month/year)
  • number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here. 

The GS-12 salary range starts at $86,962 per year.  If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.  

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service. 

Specialized experience is experience performing strategic account management in relation to workspace/real estate needs, which includes identifying, planning, implementing and managing client service strategies and solutions. This experience should include:

  • resolving ill-structured space problems through critical and creative thinking;
  • applying sound project management principles in developing and collecting strategic space requirements;
  • conducting in-depth research and analysis to support strategic initiatives;
  • managing complex portfolios that align with program and agency goals and performance measures;
  • building and sustaining customer relationships.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This position is eligible for the bargaining unit.
If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.
Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.
Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.
If you are eligible under Merit Promotion, you may also apply under Vacancy Announcement #5P-2025-0016.  You must apply separately to each announcement to be considered for both.
GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations including: 
  • Valuing and embracing diversity, promoting equity, inclusion and accessibility, and expecting cultural competence; and
  • Fostering a work environment where all employees, customers and stakeholders feel respected and valued.
Our commitment is: 
  • Reflected in our policies, procedures and work environment;
  • Recognized by our employees, customers and stakeholders; and
  • Drives our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

You will have access to many benefits including:

  • Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
  • Life insurance coverage with several options
  • Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
  • Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Transit and child care subsidies
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Training and development

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will use a method called Category Rating to assess your application.  Here’s how it will work:

You will be scored on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities:

  • Comprehensive knowledge of a diverse range of business and industry concepts and practices, as well as an expert knowledge of tenant and client agencies' needs, requirements and client satisfaction drivers; advanced knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues and problem resolution strategies involving client agencies as it relates to up-front planning and the overall relationship management.
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills for presenting sensitive recommendations to higher-level individuals, for obtaining compliance with policies, articulating position, and/or policy of vast technical complexity to facilitate cooperation from management at all levels, and for representing the agency on task forces.
  • Thorough knowledge of account management including strategic account management methods, processes, and metrics and/or customer service standards and practices. Skill in applying this knowledge to complex problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods, and/or to make recommendations that significantly change, interpret or develop important public policies and programs.
  • Knowledge of pricing policies and procedures and related management activities in the areas of utilization factors, budget control, contracting, space planning and programming, building design and construction for project planning purposes.
  • Overall technical knowledge of project planning, project management, prospectus development, realty practices, and asset management concepts, governing regulations, and program criteria to evaluate program activities and recommend changes to same based on the analysis and application of practices used within the industry, other agencies, or other offices.
  • Ability to utilize project planning and project management practices sufficient to make recommendations that significantly change important operational/public policies for the agency.

Your answers to the questions will be used to place you in one of the following categories and standard score ranges: 

  • Best Qualified = Candidates scoring between 95 - 100
  • Well Qualified = Candidates scoring between 85 - 94 (Well Qualified for CTAP/ICTAP)
  • Qualified = Candidates scoring between 70 - 84

We will verify your answers to the questions in your resume.  If your resume doesn’t support your answers, we may lower your score, which could place you in a lower category.

Within each category, veterans will receive selection priority over non-veterans.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan(ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.

Your resume showing applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.

If you are claiming veterans’ preference:
(a) Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows your type of discharge and the dates of your active duty service.
(b) If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (a spouse, widow or widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (1) completed SF-15 form; and (2) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list).

If you are active duty military - Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).

If you are ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.  

How to Apply

Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application.  For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job.

If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. 

To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.

  • Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
  • Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
  • Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete.  If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
  • Note:  Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process). 

Need Assistance? 

  • Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact mgshelp@monster.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays
  • Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline

You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions.

Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.

Agency contact information

Theresa Gibbs
Phone
(312) 353-8177
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
theresa.gibbs@gsa.gov
Address
GSA, Public Buildings Service
General Services Administration (GSA)
Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the closing date/deadline:

  1. ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements.
  2. REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.  
  3. SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
  4. FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes
  5. FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard.

Thank you for your interest in working for U.S. General Services Administration!


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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