Lead Architect-Lab Planning

Role Overview
Architecture49 is seeking a senior Laboratory Strategy & Design Specialist to lead the planning, programming, strategy, and design of complex laboratory and science facilities across Canada. This highly visible, client-facing leadership role combines technical expertise, project delivery, business development, mentoring, and practice leadership. The successful candidate will work closely with scientists, researchers, clinicians, operators, and executive stakeholders to translate scientific and operational requirements into innovative, functional, and technically integrated facility solutions. This role is also a key succession-planning position within the national Science + Technology (S+T) practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory strategy, feasibility studies, optimization initiatives, functional programming, and planning assignments.
• Analyze scientific workflows, operational requirements, equipment needs, containment requirements, and facility performance criteria.
• Develop functional and technical programs, space plans, adjacency studies, zoning strategies, room data sheets, and planning documentation.
• Lead laboratory planning and design from early strategy through concept design, design development, and construction documentation.
• Oversee integration of laboratory equipment, infrastructure, containment systems, biosafety requirements, vivarium facilities, GMP environments, cleanrooms, and other regulated laboratory spaces.
• Serve as a senior advisor and trusted partner to clients, facilitating stakeholder engagement, workshops, decision-making sessions, and technical reviews.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, consultants, engineers, commissioning specialists, and delivery partners to ensure successful project execution.
• Provide technical leadership, QA/QC oversight, peer reviews, and guidance on laboratory planning best practices.
• Mentor laboratory planners, architects, designers, and emerging leaders while advancing Architecture49's tools, standards, and knowledge base.
• Support business development activities including client relationship management, pursuits, proposals, interviews, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Contribute to regional and national Science + Technology practice leadership and demonstrate readiness to assume broader leadership responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

• Professional Architecture degree and current OAA registration (or immediate eligibility through recognized mobility/reciprocity pathways).
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience, including at least 10 years focused on laboratory strategy, programming, planning, or design.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex science and laboratory projects from strategy and programming through design and delivery.
• Strong understanding of laboratory operations, workflow planning, equipment integration, building systems, safety, commissioning, and facility performance.
• Proven ability to lead senior client engagements, multidisciplinary teams, technical reviews, and project delivery.
• Experience with proposal development, business development, mentoring, and practice leadership.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, organizational, and leadership skills.

Preferred Experience

• Public-sector science facilities (e.g., federal laboratories, research institutions, health agencies).
• Containment laboratories (CL2/CL3), biosafety environments, vivaria, animal research facilities, GMP and cleanroom environments.
• Pharmaceutical, biomanufacturing, diagnostics, engineering, physical science, or specialized testing facilities.
• Laboratory modernization, operational optimization, commissioning, and post-occupancy evaluation.
• Bilingual English/French capabilities and/or additional Canadian architectural licensure.
• Federal security clearance eligibility

Compensation:

• AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $110,600 - $146,500

• MB & ON: $100,900 - $139,000  

• NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $99,900 - $132,700

Disclosure:
The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

Why Choose Us?

Architecture49 is a growing firm with promising career opportunities for talented people. Our offices, situated from coast to coast across Canada, house a diverse and accomplished group of architects, interior designers, technologists, landscape architects, and support staff, and we are always looking for new people to enrich our team.

At A49, we foster friendly, open working environments where employees can thrive in a culture that values collaboration. We seek meaningful projects where we can build on our focused expertise and impact the communities in which we work. We strive to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues. We recognize the quality, motivation and commitment of our employees and celebrate their achievements.

Our offices have strong regional legacies, yet we are also a forward-thinking national firm focused on creativity, initiative, quality, sustainability and social responsibility. That sense of social responsibility extends to our employees and our commitment to their well-being and success.

Strategic Partnership

Architecture49 maintains a strategic business relationship with WSP, a global engineering consultancy. This provides enhanced opportunities for exposure to international projects and a wide range of multidisciplinary expertise. Further, WSP provides Architecture49 with a range of shared services, such as comprehensive benefits, training, and corporate programs.

Inclusion and Belonging

At Architecture49, we strive to create inclusive work environments for everyone. We are committed to supporting a workplace where our people are respected, valued, accepted, and are encouraged to reach their full potential. Our employee resource groups (ERGs) help us build a culture of belonging: Black Professional People Network; CIRCLE (Indigenous); VIBE (2SLGBTQIA+); WOW (Women); and the Developing Professionals Network.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and achieving a representative work environment that reflects our people, communities and clients. We encourage people from systemically marginalized groups to apply, including Indigenous Persons, Persons identifying with a disability/ies, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons, Persons identifying as a visible minority, and Women.

At A49, we take accessibility seriously and accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For accommodation queries/requests please contact: inclusion@architecture49.com

Reconciliation

Architecture49 is committed to Truth and Reconciliation, and to Call to Action #92. We recognize that our practices directly build upon and benefit from the gifts of the earth, and affirm our commitment to continued learning, respect, and ongoing collaboration as we work to engage in decolonization and reconciliation.

Please Note

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of A49. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations.

Offers of employment for safety-sensitive positions involving fieldwork are contingent upon candidates being able to perform key physical tasks of the job as described in the job posting and interview. This may include the ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits).