Project Lead – Public Realm

Shape Cities. Shape Communities. Shape the Future.

At AECOM Buildings + Places, we plan, design and deliver some of the most complex infrastructure in Canada, helping realize our firm’s vision of a world where infrastructure creates opportunities for everyone. Our Calgary studio is seeking a Project Lead – Public Realm to act as the driving force of transdisciplinary teams delivering work for our Social Infrastructure and Transit Market Sectors. These sectors are rapidly expanding across Alberta and British Columbia with core clients that span municipal, provincial and federal governments; First Nations, and transit agencies. We are also gradually expanding our portfolio in sports, higher education and health care. We serve our clients by bringing together the best people, ideas and technical expertise to help transform our client’s ambitions into action.

This opportunity is more than a job -- it is a chance to help win and deliver career-defining projects, elevate the scope and scale of your practice, and make a tangible impact on how communities live, move, and thrive.

Why Join Us?

Cultivate a Career without Limits: As a large, multi-national corporation, there are limitless opportunities for career growth at AECOM. As our successful applicant, you will be responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and control of multiple Landscape Architecture and Urban Design projects from inception through completion. Project types include but are not limited to:

• large-scale streetscapes;
• complex municipal plazas;
• institutional buildings;
• light rail and bus transit infrastructure;
• green infrastructure and ecological restoration, and;
• regional, Provincial and National parks.

As a senior professional, you will guide the team to drive quality, scope, budget, and schedule, while meeting our client's expectations and AECOM’s Client Promise.

Foster and Promote Creativity:  Apply your genuine excitement, enthusiasm, and creativity for large and extra-large scale projects that are the hallmark of AECOM. Work on challenging, trans-disciplinary infrastructure and design projects that “lead with landscape” and complement our strong technical capabilities in civil and transportation engineering.

Proposal through Completion: Secure your own future by developing winning ideas that capture the imagination of our clients at the proposal stage. You will then direct projects from inception through completion and may serve as the Authenticating Professional on deliverables.

Work Nationally: Apply your interests and abilities across Canada – our team brings the best people forward based on best-fit for the project rather than selecting based on geographic location. Our Calgary studio collaborates on projects throughout British Columbia, Alberta, the prairies and Ontario.

Lead & mentor: Guide junior staff, share your expertise, and foster a collaborative studio culture.

What You’ll Do

As a Project Lead, you will:

• Lead projects from proposal through completion – proposal, negotiations, site analysis, concept/schematic design, detailed design, construction documentation, and contract administration.
• Manage scope, budgets, schedules, and client expectations on civic buildings, institutional sites, plazas, streetscapes, trails, parks, and open spaces.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver complex projects, across the studio, and across the country.
• Champion sustainable and resilient design, with a focus on ecological restoration, climate adaptation, and innovation in public realm projects.
• Engage clients and stakeholders, lead presentations and workshops, and develop strong long-term relationships.
• Contribute to practice growth, business developement and studio strategy by working closely alongside other Project Leads, Market Sector Leads, Practice Leads and Operations Leads who drive overall expansion of Buildings and Places in Calgary.

What We’re Looking For

In your cover letter, CV, portfolio and possible interview, identify your skills and capabilities in the following areas.

• Leadership: Proven track record in managing both people and projects at all stages, direct staff, and coordinate consultants. History of mentoring staff, junior professionals or volunteer activities that develop leadership skills.
• Client-Centric: Demonstrated experience transforming client ambitions into project execution.
• Registered Professional: Professional status in Alberta and/or British Columbia.
• Project Experience: Minimum 8 years of progressive professional public realm experience, with a focus on public sector clients in the Social Infrastructure and Transit market sectors.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design or related field focusing on the public realm. Highlight any academic achievements, scholarships, and awards.
• Technical Excellence: Proven abilities in technical design, report writing, and winning proposals. Demonstrate preparation of high quality contract documents, specifications, cost estimates, change orders and site inspections. Highlight any specialized training, design awards, publications or public presentations that attest to your design expertise.
• Software Proficiency: Provide evidence of using technology to deliver technical excellence (ie. Autodesk products, Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office and 3D applications such as Revit or Rhino 3D.

What We Offer at AECOM

• A high-performing office culture that emphasizes work-life balance while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Competitive compensation package with comprehensive health and dental benefits.
• A hybrid office environment, with core “collaboration days” are spent working as a team in our studio.
• Intentional career development with a focus on the future; access to AECOM University, our comprehensive training platform, and corporate support for professional dues and development.
• National + global exposure – opportunities to collaborate with clients and staff across Canada and the globe.

How To Apply

• Submit your online application, with a CV and cover letter tailored for this role.
• If possible, submit a portfolio that demonstrates alignment with “What We’re Looking For.” Ideally this is submitted with your application, but we would also accept it prior to interview. Applicants with portfolios have a higher chance of success.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial informational interview, followed by a formal in-person interview.

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