Architect, Facilities - Places

If you are committed to public service, enjoy collaborating with others, share our values and have a desire to learn and grow, join The City of Calgary. City employees deliver the services, run the programs and operate the facilities which make a difference in our community. We support work-life balance, promote physical and psychological safety, and offer competitive wages, pensions, and benefits. Together we make Calgary a great place to make a living, a great place to make a life.

The City is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace which is representative of the community we serve. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and reconciliation. Applications are encouraged from members of groups that are historically disadvantaged and underrepresented. Accommodations are available during the hiring process, upon request.

The Facilities & Places Architect provides professional architectural leadership in the earliest phases of capital project development, where decisions have significant long-term technical, regulatory, and financial implications. As a licensed Architect, you will apply professional judgment and technical expertise to guide feasibility analysis, define project scope, identify risks, and ensure projects are positioned for successful delivery. Reporting to a Leader in Facilities & Places, this role will:

• Lead pre-project planning, feasibility analysis, and due diligence to ensure projects are viable, code-compliant, and positioned to advance into design and delivery.
• Define project scope, functional requirements, and spatial concepts, translating service needs into clear, procurement-ready project definitions.
• Coordinate feasibility studies, site assessments, and technical analysis to validate project approach and inform key decisions.
• Identify and manage risks related to design, site conditions, regulatory requirements, and sequencing, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Lead engagement with service lines, internal partners, and key interest holders to align requirements, manage competing priorities, and confirm project readiness.
• Establish and support governance processes by structuring decision points, clarifying roles and accountabilities, and guiding projects through approvals.
• Provide clear, risk-informed recommendations to support investment planning, prioritization, and stage-gated decision-making.
• Ensure architectural oversight and adherence to codes, accessibility, sustainability, and organizational standards.
• Contribute to early design governance, standards development, and continuous improvement of planning and delivery practices.

Qualifications

• A degree in Architecture with at least 4 years of progressively responsible architectural post-registration experience.
• Current registration as a Registered Architect with the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) is required.
• Demonstrated experience in feasibility studies, early-stage project development and master planning, and consultant coordination.
• Preferences will be given to candidates with municipal or public-sector experience, experience delivering complex civic or institutional facilities, or experience supporting investment readiness and early-stage project development.
• Success in this role requires:
• Strong technical expertise in building systems, codes, and regulatory pathways.
• Ability to assess complex, multi-disciplinary inputs and translate them into clear recommendations.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills to support stakeholder alignment and informed decision-making.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment in early-stage, high-impact project decisions.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment
• Proven strength in stakeholder facilitation and influencing complex decisions
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in ambiguous, early-stage environments
• Ability to translate technical complexity into clear, decision-ready insights

Pre-employment Requirements

• Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.

Workstyle

• This position may be eligible to work from home for at least part 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.