Senior Manager, Architecture

Regional Design Leader, Quebec Region

As the Regional Design Leader for the Quebec Region, reporting to the Senior Manager, Quebec Region, you will be responsible for establishing the creative vision and overall design objectives for all projects across the region.

The combination of creative vision, technical expertise, and leadership capabilities is essential to the success and reputation of the office. As the Design Leader, you will be responsible for defining and maintaining the creative vision for projects undertaken by the office. You will work closely with clients to understand their needs and expectations and translate them into innovative concepts that meet functional, aesthetic, and budgetary requirements.

The role includes strategic, operational, practice, people, and thought leadership responsibilities in the following areas:

• Support the Senior Manager and Regional Market Sector Leaders in project pursuit efforts to achieve A49’s financial objectives and growth targets.
• Collaborate with project teams to establish appropriate budgets that support the required design effort and objectives.
• Contribute to the regional management of A49’s Montreal office.
• In collaboration with the National Design Practice Committee, contribute to the development of a design recognition framework and thought leadership platform to enhance internal and external recognition of the A49 brand.
• Stay current with emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in architecture and design.
• Foster research and experimentation within the firm to push the boundaries of design innovation and deliver distinctive, impactful solutions that align with the client’s target budget and established design vision.
• Lead design charrettes and share design concepts with other A49 offices in collaboration with fellow Regional Design Leaders.
• Participate in industry discussions on design by presenting key A49 projects, publishing thought leadership content, and showcasing A49’s design achievements at targeted industry conferences.

Qualifications

• Degree in Architecture and licensed to practice in Quebec.
• More than 10 years of experience leading project design initiatives.
• Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated leadership experience.
• A working knowledge of English is required, as the incumbent will participate in initiatives outside Quebec, collaborate with colleagues across Canada, and contribute to projects and communications conducted in English.

Employee Engagement and Alignment

• Demonstrate the ability to strengthen design capabilities and to coach, mentor, and develop design professionals within the region.
• Assign work, provide guidance and mentorship, and foster a collaborative and creative work environment that encourages ideation and innovation.
• Collaborate with other Regional Design Leaders and participate in the National Design Practice Committee.
• In partnership with the Senior Manager, Quebec Region, support the professional development of team members by identifying training, skill development, and career advancement opportunities. This includes encouraging participation in professional organizations, conferences, and continuing education programs.

Operational Excellence and Project Quality

• Oversee the quality of architectural design across all office projects, ensuring alignment with regional and national objectives. This includes developing project briefs, defining design goals and milestones, coordinating with consultants and contractors, and ensuring adherence to project schedules and budgets.
• Lead and execute design phases during which initial concepts are refined and developed into detailed architectural plans and drawings. This includes conducting design reviews, providing feedback and direction to team members, and resolving design challenges to achieve the desired outcomes.
• Maintain the quality and integrity of design work produced by the regional office. Conduct regular reviews and evaluations of project deliverables to ensure compliance with design objectives, applicable standards, regulatory requirements, and client expectations.
• Ensure that all presentation materials used to communicate architectural concepts are aligned with A49 brand standards.