Chief Urban Designer

As Chief Urban Designer reporting to the Director of Community Planning, you will serve as the Principal Urban Designer for the City of Calgary and will lead the City's mandate to achieve design excellence across the built environment with a focus on shaping high-quality, inclusive, accessible and innovative urban spaces that reflect Calgary's identity, support economic growth and sustainability, and align with Council priorities and the Municipal Development Plan.

Leading the Office of Urban Design, you will manage quality outcomes on architectural, landscape, urban and public realm design on applications, projects and programs. You will provide expert leadership and subject matter expertise in urban design that influences major city-building projects, public infrastructure, development policies, and design standards by offering professional design services, advancing best practices, and integrating new research in the field to the City. As a member of the Calgary Planning Commission (CPC), and a future Chair of the Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP), you will ensure that design expectations are met, while offering expert guidance to both Commission and City Council. 

Primary duties include:

• Provide expert urban design oversight on City major projects and/or programs (such as Greenline, Downtown Revitalization, Culture and Entertainment district, 15+ Network).
• Serve as a member, participate and advise on key impact committees (e.g., UDRP, CPC, and Council).
• Oversee the administration, quality control, and compliance of all urban design file review into the development permit, land use applications and outline plan process, to ensure a positive reputation is maintained.
• Collaborate with leadership teams, governance groups, and committees that impact urban design outcomes. Provide support through multi-disciplinary analysis, reports, research-based recommendations and design services.
• Create innovative urban design strategies for a wide range of future planning, infrastructure, and public space projects.
• Manage and allocate financial and human resources, prepare budgets, develop and report on corporate metrics, formulate annual work plans in alignment with business unit goals. Oversee the functions and operations, including operating budget, of the Office of Urban Design and the Urban Design Review Panel.
• Build capacity and impact through people and policies, direct mentoring, and coaching of staff within the Office of Urban Design.
• Develop a strategic plan for the Office of Urban Design to align with Council objectives and industry best practices.
• Maintain involvement in the design industry, academia, research advocacy and education. Lead collaboration with research and post-secondary learning institutions; participate in joint research, workshops, and design initiatives.

• A degree in architecture or landscape architecture with at least 10 years of relevant progressive experience, including combined private and public industry experience in design and implementation of complex urban design projects, and at least 5 years' experience in a leadership role.
• You must have a Professional registration as a full member of Alberta Architect Association or Alberta Association of Landscape Architects, OR a membership with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) or Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) with the ability to transfer full membership from other provinces within a year.
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education may be considered.
• Experience with public sector projects and governmental processes including writing and presenting reports to council and committees.
• Expertise in sustainable design principles, architecture and landscape architecture standards and best practice, urban planning projects, and placemaking.
• Expertise in construction and project delivery is an asset.
• Experience working with post-secondary learning institutions, private companies or other levels of government is preferred.
• Success in this role requires exceptional communication and relationship management skills, with proven ability to cultivate strategic partnerships across internal divisions and external organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, influence and work collaboratively with internal and external partners.
• Highly developed analytical, negotiation, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills, along with strong design and project management abilities.
• Ability to effectively weigh competing demands, set priorities and goals and achieve results in a timely manner.

• A media check may be conducted for successful applicants. 
• A secondary skills assessment may be conducted. 
• Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.

Workstyle: This position may be eligible to work from home for at least a portion of the time as one of several flexible work options available to City employees. These arrangements depend on the operational requirements of the role, employee suitability, and are subject to change based on operational needs and corporate direction.