We are seeking an experienced Project Architect for our client who operates in Calgary, Alberta. The Project Architect leads the delivery of assigned projects from initial briefing through construction close-out. The role combines practical design leadership, hands-on technical work, project management, and client service, with accountability for scope, schedule, architectural fee budget, coordination, and quality.
Working within delegated authority and the firm’s documented processes, the Project Architect makes day-to-day project decisions, directs assigned project teams, and follows matters through to resolution. The role requires sound judgment, early communication of risks, and well-prepared recommendations when approval or direction is needed from the Principal Architect.
Our client puts architectural knowledge to work to build trust. The Project Architect supports this approach by making technical information accessible, helping clients make informed decisions, and delivering on commitments. Projects include tenant improvements, renovations, adaptive reuse, and new construction. This is a permanent, full-time opportunity, available immediately.
Responsibilities
Design and Development
- Lead thoughtful, practical architectural design that responds to the client’s objectives, project budget, site conditions, constructability, and approval requirements.
- Develop projects through programming, feasibility, conceptual and schematic design, and design development, as required by the agreed scope.
- Use Revit, CAD, and appropriate presentation tools to develop accurate, coordinated architectural designs and documents.
- Apply building codes, bylaws, applicable standards, and professional requirements throughout design and delivery.
- Verify relevant existing conditions and available background information, and identify gaps requiring investigation or specialist input.
Client and Stakeholder Collaboration
- Lead day-to-day client communication on assigned projects, clarify requirements, manage expectations, and provide timely progress updates.
- Explain options, technical matters, risks, and recommendations in plain language, recognizing the client’s level of knowledge and urgency.
- Lead presentations, coordination meetings, and approval processes; document decisions, responsibilities, and required follow-up.
- Coordinate with interior designers, engineers, other consultants, contractors, and authorities to resolve issues and integrate project requirements.
Project Manager and Commerical Accountabililty
- Review the proposal, agreement, scope, deliverables, exclusions, consultant responsibilities, and client commitments at project start-up.
- Establish and maintain a project workplan with phase deliverables, milestones, review requirements, responsibilities, and approval dates.
- Direct assigned projects from concept through completion, managing scope, schedule, architectural fee budget, and allocated resources.
- Coordinate staffing needs and priorities with the Production Manager. Identify capacity constraints early and obtain approval for changes to allocated resources.
- Monitor hours used against the project fee budget, forecast the effort required to complete remaining work, and address material variances with a proposed response.
- Coordinate design decisions with the client’s construction budget and available cost advice; communicate cost implications and required decisions promptly.
- Identify scope changes, additional services, and changes to consultant requirements. Document fee and schedule implications and obtain required approvals before committing to additional work.
- Maintain current project records, schedules, decision logs, and action lists using the firm’s established tools. Provide timely information for invoicing and project financial reporting.
- Maintain clear handover information and coordinate coverage during absences so that project progress and client communication can continue.
Decision Authority and Escalation
Routine Project Decisions:
- Resolve within approved scope, standards, budget, and authority delegated by the Principal Architect.
Project Issues:
- Investigate, coordinate a response, and follow through to closure.
Escalations:
- Bring facts, implications, options, and a recommendation to the Principal Architect.
Reserved Decisions:
- Obtain required approval for matters outside delegated authority, including commercial, resource, and architectural decisions.
Urgent Ricks:
- Escalate promptly to the Principal Architect and follow the firm’s established response procedures.
Document approvals and decisions, communicate them to affected parties, and follow through on implementation.
Technical Documentation and Approvals
- Personally develop and resolve architectural drawings and construction details, and review work prepared by the assigned team.
- Produce and coordinate complete construction documents appropriate to the agreed scope, including drawings, schedules, and specifications.
- Prepare and maintain project code analyses and code matrices, and translate applicable requirements into the design and documentation.
- Coordinate architectural documents with interior design, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and other consultant information as applicable.
- Prepare and manage permit applications, respond to authority comments, and track approval requirements and outstanding items.
- Maintain accurate project records, document control, and issuance procedures in accordance with firm standards.
Quality Management
- Apply the firm’s Quality Management System throughout the project lifecycle, including start-up, design, documentation, approvals, construction, and close-out.
- Plan required reviews and phase gates early enough for review comments and corrections to be incorporated before documents are issued.
- Coordinate project reviews with the QMS Lead and designated reviewers. Prepare the required information and track comments and corrective actions to closure.
- Check the accuracy, completeness, coordination, and presentation of project documents, including compliance with the firm’s drawing and documentation standards.
- Remain accountable for quality on assigned projects. Contribute improvements and lessons learned through the established process; firm-wide QMS ownership remains with the designated QMS Lead.
Construction Administration and Close Out
- Deliver the construction administration services included in the project agreement and coordinate the architectural team’s construction-phase responsibilities.
- Conduct and document site reviews appropriate to the agreed services, identifying observed departures from the contract documents and matters requiring action.
- Review architectural submittals, respond to requests for information, and coordinate timely resolution of design and documentation issues.
- Prepare or coordinate required instructions, proposed changes, and other contract administration documents within delegated authority and the applicable agreement.
- Review architectural deficiencies, prepare deficiency lists, and follow up on outstanding work within the agreed scope.
- Coordinate required close-out documentation and reviews, including applicable completion and warranty activities assigned to the role.
Sustainability and Continuous Improvement
- Integrate sustainable design principles appropriate to project objectives, budget, applicable requirements, and agreed scope.
- Research and evaluate environmentally responsible materials, assemblies, and technologies, and explain practical options to clients.
- Maintain current knowledge of architectural practice, building technology, construction methods, and tenant improvement requirements through professional development.
- Document lessons learned and propose practical improvements to the firm’s procedures, templates, and technical standards. Implement approved improvements consistently.
Project Team Leadership and Mentorship
- Provide clear assignments, deliverables, priorities, and deadlines to the project team; confirm understanding and review progress and completed work.
- Mentor intermediate and junior staff, including intern architects and technologists, in technical delivery, document management, scheduling, communication, client service, budgeting, and risk management.
- Delegate work with appropriate guidance and review, helping team members build competence and take responsibility for their assignments.
- Address project performance concerns promptly and provide factual feedback to the appropriate manager. Formal personnel management responsibilities apply only where separately assigned.
Requirements
Skills and Professional Requirements
- Approximately 10 years of relevant architectural experience, with demonstrated responsibility for delivering projects from initial briefing through construction and close-out.
- Registered Architect in Alberta, or eligible to obtain Alberta registration. Professional services must be performed within the individual’s registration status and assigned responsibilities.
- Relevant experience in tenant improvements, renovations, adaptive reuse, and new construction, with the ability to manage projects of differing sizes and complexity.
- Demonstrated hands-on capability in design development, construction documentation, detailing, consultant coordination, and construction administration.
- Proficiency in Revit and CAD, including the ability to develop, review, and coordinate project documentation within the firm’s production workflow.
- Strong working knowledge of building codes, bylaws, standards, materials, assemblies, and construction methods, and the ability to apply that knowledge to project decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to manage project workplans, hours, fee budgets, scope changes, competing priorities, and multiple assigned projects.
- Clear written and verbal communication, sound professional judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to integrity and ethical practice.
- Ability to lead clients and project teams, resolve issues, and follow through without continual prompting, while recognizing when approval or specialist advice is required.
- Willingness to follow documented systems, accept constructive review, mentor others, and contribute to continuous improvement.
Educational Requirements
- Master’s Degree in Architecture from an accredited institution, or an equivalent qualification recognized through the applicable registration pathway.
Key Working Relationships
- The Project Architect reports to and is accountable to the Principal Architect. The role works with the Production Manager on staffing and production coordination, the Director of Operations on operational processes and reporting, the QMS Lead on quality procedures and reviews, and the Director of Interior Design on integrated project delivery. External relationships include clients, consultants, contractors, authorities, and product representatives.
Performance Expectations
Performance is assessed against agreed project objectives and the firm’s position standards. Measures and targets are established with the Principal Architect and reflect assigned authority, project scope, and available resources. Evidence includes:
- Milestones achieved, with emerging delays and risks communicated early and addressed.
- Current hours and completion forecasts, documented scope changes, and timely action on financial variances.
- Required reviews completed, comments resolved, and coordinated documents issued through the established process.
- Client decisions and commitments documented and followed through; project team assignments clear and coordinated.
- Routine issues resolved within authority, appropriate escalation, and consistent use of firm systems.
Working Conditions
Full-time, office-based work, with site visits and travel as project requirements dictate. The role involves extended periods of computer work and attendance at construction sites subject to applicable site access and safety requirements.
What We Offer
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