Principal Architect – Post Secondary Education

Overview

As a Principal Architect in Stantec’s Education studio, you lead design-led projects for post-secondary facilities, guiding teams from concept through construction with a focus on design excellence and client value. You’ll drive project delivery, oversee multidisciplinary collaboration, and nurture client relationships and new business opportunities. This role combines hands-on problem solving with strategic leadership to advance a sustainable, collaborative design culture in Alberta.

Pay / Benefits

• health, dental, and vision plans
• wellness program
• retirement savings plan
• employee stock purchase program
• tuition reimbursement
• paid time off

Responsibilities

• Inspire creativity and design excellence across internal and external teams
• Ensure the project’s design intent is carried through to detailed documentation
• Oversee design progression from concept to construction administration
• Lead cross-disciplinary coordination with vendors and contractors
• Contribute to production of major project deliverables
• Meet with clients and deliver persuasive presentations
• Support business development, marketing proposals and client engagement
• Identify and recruit design staff and foster talent development
• Promote collaboration across Stantec offices and design culture
• Mentor junior staff and interns to grow their careers
• Evaluate design quality and maintain high standards across the firm
• Develop and implement the firm’s brand and marketing collateral
• Participate in performance reviews and career goal setting
• Oversee design award submissions and maintain portfolio quality
• Engage staff in design discussions and advocate for appropriate tools and processes
• Articulate design philosophy and technical requirements with clients and project teams
• Coordinate project photography and media to support portfolio growth
• Advocate for the firm’s design message and portfolio leadership
• Guide others in understanding building programs, codes, and construction systems
• Demonstrate cultural awareness and client empathy in project work
• Interpret drawings, sketches, codes and programs to support project delivery

Key requirements

• 15+ years of professional architectural experience
• Professional degree in Architecture (Bachelor’s or Master’s)
• Registered Architect or eligibility via interprovincial reciprocity in Alberta
• Experience leading post-secondary education projects and business development
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience with Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Newforma, Sefaira, and modeling tools (Rhino, Lumion, Enscape, 3ds Max)
• Ability to lead multiple teams on large, complex projects
• Strong communication, presentation, and client engagement skills
• Mentorship and talent development capability

• leadership
• collaboration
• critical thinking
• Revit
• AutoCAD
• SketchUp

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