The Opportunity:

We are seeking a motivated and passionate Senior Project Architect, Senior Associate (Aviation) to complement our Toronto office, where we are involved in exciting work across a range of building types, including commercial, mixed-use, retail, industrial, hospitality, public buildings, and healthcare. Aviation design experience is essential.

Working in collaboration with other leaders, take responsibility for and provide senior direction to ensure high-quality design of projects of a variety of scales, including those that are large and highly complex. Oversee the entire project design process, including provision of technical expertise on specialized design, design guidance, and meeting client objectives. Mentor and coach Designers with a view to fostering career progression and growing Kasian’s design capability.

Here’s what you’ll be doing at Kasian:

Leadership Competencies

Influence on the Firm’s Vision, Mission and Values

• Live the Firm’s vision and values and be a spokesperson for these, both internally and externally
• As part of Kasian’s leadership team, embody and act as an ambassador for the Firm’s culture and brand
• Act as a role model to staff within the Firm, and hold a well-established rapport across the Firm

Thought Leadership

• Cultivate a well-respected presence with clients and the local architecture community
• Considered a thought-leader in design, continually educate self and others on emerging design trends
• Leads, initiates, and directs activities to improve the calibre of design

Management and Operations

• Assume leadership roles in management and operations business areas such as resourcing, project performance, and business development
• Demonstrate a high standard of professional ethics
• Take an active role in employee development, motivation, and engagement by mentoring and coaching staff and acting as an effective Performance Manager
• Manage large teams on projects and/or business initiatives
• Successfully manage client relationships; use well-developed interpersonal skills to communicate with clients on complex, detailed, and often sensitive topics

Business Development

• Direct and support the development of Kasian business initiatives
• Have an established client network to bring repeat business and potential opportunities for new projects
• Champion proposal submissions and lead client bid presentations
• Build relationships with clients through consistently meeting program and budget requirements

Key Functions and Responsibilities

Project Planning

• Work with the Project Manager (PM) to create work plans, drawing lists, scope of services, budgets, and staffing requirements
• Review and monitor project scope and initiate corrective actions in cooperation with the PM

Project Delivery

• Lead the Kasian design process through the creation of design concepts, the generation of presentation material and required design development and submission documentation
• Responsible for conceptual design excellence; initiates concepts and discussions of ideas
• Guide the design team
• Implement design standards and guidelines
• Lead the design team and take responsibility for the delivery of project design, including coordination of design, production, contract administration, and financial success of multiple projects
• Work with technical and contract administration teams to produce successful design development and contract documentation in alignment with Kasian’s standards of quality, client program, and budget needs, including coordinating project specifications and ensuring overall design intent
• Lead project meetings and client presentations, or co-chair with the Project Manager/ Project Director
• Interact with clients on a broad range of sensitive administrative and management issues, which could include escalation in areas such as invoicing, contract interpretation, scheduling, and content of deliverables
• Work with authorities having jurisdiction to interpret and conform to codes and bylaws
• Properly maintain project records

Project Review

• Resolve project performance issues and problems, including ongoing review of project quality and monitoring of budget and schedule
• Participate in the peer review process for Kasian projects

Minimum Requirements (Education, Experience, Qualifications, Skills, Abilities)

• B. Arch or M. Arch from an accredited architectural program, coupled with a minimum of 15+ years of architectural experience
• Registration with a provincial regulatory board is a requirement
• Aviation industry expert
• Proven leadership experience in design and sound project management skills
• Personal maturity and sound judgment
• Superior communication and marketing skills (promotions, business development, proposal writing, etc)
• Big picture perspective and strategic understanding of the business
• Openness and willingness to communicate and respond to the needs of the Firm, its people, projects, and clients in a positive, professional, and supportive manner

Here’s what you bring to Kasian:

• Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) or Master of Architecture (M.Arch) from an accredited architectural program, with a minimum of 10 years of professional architectural experience
• Registered Architect in good standing with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)
• Demonstrated experience delivering public sector projects, preferably across multiple levels of government (municipal, provincial, and federal)
• Experience with municipal halls, operations facilities, and community or recreation projects is considered an asset
• Holds, or is eligible to obtain, required security clearances (e.g., PSPC, RCMP)
• Proven ability to work independently, manage projects autonomously, and lead coordination with clients, consultants, and interdisciplinary teams
• Experience leading projects through all phases of delivery, from pre-design and schematic design through construction and close-out
• Familiarity with collaborative project delivery models, such as Progressive Design-Build or Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), is considered an asset
• High proficiency in Revit is required; experience with AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite is beneficial
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience in marketing, business development, and proposal preparation

What We Offer:

• A creative and collaborative environment
• National project exposure and opportunity to support high-profile pursuits
• Mentorship and learning opportunities in business strategy and development
• Great downtown office location with easy access to public transport
• Flexibility and work-life balance in a values-driven workplace

Ready to be part of a leading architectural and interior design firm? Submit your resume to elena.cowan@kasian.com.