Senior Project Architect

Job Description

Job Type

Full Time

Division

Partnerships & Investments

Department

Parks and Building Planning

Job Summary/Basic Function

The Senior Project Architect is responsible for specific master-planning studies and capital building projects and may include all stages through to project handover: project definition, the planning and design of building projects, the delivery of major building projects, and professional responsibility for projects. This position will consult and involve the general public, external user groups, partners, internal stakeholders and senior management, and they will oversee the selection of consultants, manage resources and project communications. They will be responsible for master-planning, project definition, schematic design, and design development, along with major projects: preparation of construction documents, budgeting, tender, contract administration, record keeping and project evaluation.

Duties

Master-planning

- Under the direction of the Parks & Buildings Planning Manager, develop long-term strategic master-plans for the key areas of Municipal services.
- Consult with external user groups and the broader public, specialists, and internal stakeholder groups. Ensure the needs of user groups with a reduced presence or voice are also included. Communicate with the public and press, and report regularly to Council.
- Assess accommodation needs and develop detailed programs.
- Define strategic accommodation priorities within finite long-term budget limits.

Design and construction

Engage the public, external user groups, partners, specialists and internal stakeholders to develop designs and foster consensus. Communicate with the public and press, and report regularly to Council.
Coordinate and facilitate external architectural and engineering teams in the development of schematic designs, and provide the coordinating point source for all contact with City stakeholders.
Ensure the City’s core values are implemented in all design decisions: adaptability, sustainability, durability, best value. Achieve best value for the community through good design: flexibility, layout, efficiency, maintainability, quality of spaces, civic pride, etc.
Maintain an on going liaison role as Department representative once a capital project has been passed to Infrastructure Delivery. Infrastructure Delivery is typically responsible for Project Management of capital projects post Schematic Design, but the position may on occasion be required to undertake this role if circumstances and resources dictate.

Partnership opportunities

Proactively seek alternative funding opportunities to deliver city priorities within the Buildings portfolio to reduce the burden on taxation.
Assist the Partnerships office in the review of partnership opportunities.
Prepare grant applications for capital projects within the Buildings portfolio with the assistance of the grants office.

Policies & design standards

Stay abreast of current best practice, innovation and bench-marking.
Work with City staff, consultants and contractors to review, improve and implement new policies and design/construction standards used for capital projects in the City.
Assist in the development of Policies and Bylaws for design and construction standards.
Assist in the development of a set of consistent project management tools to track and monitor schedule progress, track and monitor budget adherence, identify risk elements, assess quality and administer contracts.

Budget management

Assist in the development of the Ten-year capital plan and annual capital budget requests.
Manage or oversee the management of capital project budgets through to handover to Infrastructure Delivery, including assessing band appointing consultants, negotiating scope changes, preparing construction budget estimates, assessing contingencies and budget reassignments.
Assist in the assessment of budget overruns during the construction phase and scope changes or reassignment of budgets when necessary.
Manage salary and other operating budgets for the Building planning team.

Human Resources

1 Direct report, casual and term staff as required.
Lead the Buildings Planning team, and provide guidance and support as needed.
Oversee staff recruitment, training, performance, attendance, rewards and discipline if required, address staffing needs as they arise, and celebrate successes.
Direct and participates in team’s work plan, assign activities, projects and programs, monitor workflow.

Qualifications

Knowledge:
Degree in Architecture. Professional Architect currently registered, or eligible for full registration within twelve months, with the AIBC (i.e. architect registered in another province, broadly-experienced foreign architect, or intern architect). A minimum of 5 years of architecture experience, including master-planning, design development, integrated services coordination, document preparation, project management, tendering, construction inspection and contract administration on complex institutional projects. Demonstrable understanding of sustainable construction and holistic building design. Experience managing technical staff, consultants and contractors is an asset. Experience in the preparation of reports (to Council or senior government preferred), requests for proposals, technical reports and recommendations. Knowledge of applicable design standards, codes, legislation, current best practice and recent innovation. Working knowledge of presentation software, CAD/BIM software (AutoCAD and/or Revit), admin and project management software.Skills & Abilities:
Professional responsibility and accountability, strategic planning, design excellence and technical expertise. Listening, critical thinking, analytical, innovative, problem-solving, decision making. Consensus building, solutions focused, deals and conflict prevention and resolution. Ability to effectively lead a team and work collaboratively and maintain effective working relationships with senior management, consultants, stakeholders, news media and all levels of inside and outside staff. Deals openly, tactfully and sensitively in a variety of situations.

Competencies:
Accountability, service excellence, solutions oriented, communication excellence, relationship building and people management, leadership and strategic thinking

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