Architecture Principal – Education, Science and Sport

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

The Principal – Education, Science and Sports is a key leadership role within the HDR Canada East Architecture group, responsible for driving excellence in project delivery, client engagement, business development and market growth across the Education, Science and Sports sector. This role requires a seasoned professional with extensive consulting experience who can successfully balance strategic leadership, business development, client relationship management, and design and technical excellence. The successful candidate will help establish the vision and direction for the market sector in Eastern Canada. They will need to build and maintain a strong client network, lead pursuits and oversee the successful execution of projects in their sector.

The Principal will serve as a trusted advisor to clients and collaborate closely with regional and national leadership to strengthen HDR’s reputation as a premier design firm for educational, scientific and athletic facilities.

In the role of Principal – Education, Science and Sports, we'll count on you to:

Market Sector Leadership & Business Development

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Education, Science and Sports sector in Ontario and Eastern Canada.
• Develop and execute market growth strategies aligned with HDR’s business objectives.
• Develop capture plans and lead pre-positioning activities for strategic pursuits.
• Identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with key clients, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Lead and execute pursuits from Go-No-Go discussions to strategy development, proposals, and interviews to contract negotiations.
• Maintain an active and visible presence within industry organizations and professional associations.
• Represent HDR at conferences, seminars, industry events and client engagements.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to develop presentations, publications and thought leadership content that promote HDR's expertise.

Client Management

• Establish and maintain strong client relationships that generate repeat business and long-term partnerships.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients throughout the project lifecycle.
• Understand client objectives and facilitate their transformation into successful technical and design solutions.

Project Leadership

• Lead project design, delivery and coordination from pre-design through construction administration.
• Direct and coordinate single- and multi-disciplinary teams through all project phases.
• Oversee multiple projects concurrently while ensuring alignment with client expectations, budgets and schedules.
• Provide technical leadership and maintain design integrity throughout project execution.
• Act as Stamping Architect on projects where appropriate.
• Lead key design and production meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure successful delivery of projects meeting HDR standards for design excellence, technical quality and financial performance.

Team Leadership

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing team environment.
• Mentor and develop junior and intermediate team members.
• Support recruitment, retention and career development initiatives.
• Partner with local and national leadership team members to support HDR’s overall practice objectives.
• Promote HDR’s employee-owned culture and encourage professional growth throughout the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture
• 15 years related experience
• A minimum 7 years project management experience
• Registered Architect
• Must have experience on large-scale projects
• Must be able to lead a team on projects and make client presentations
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project)
• Extensive knowledge and experience within the local and regional market
• Strong team leadership, mentoring, motivational/organizational and people skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be willing to travel
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in architecture
• 10+ years of relevant experience with a focus on Architecture in the Education, Science and Sports sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team on projects, lead client engagements, and win new work.
• Exceptional ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills (written and verbal).
• PMP certification (an asset).
• Experience in BIM workflows, with REVIT proficiency
• Strong command of Microsoft Office, estimating/scheduling software, and project management tools.

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

At HDR, the health and safety of our employees is of the upmost importance. In accordance with local safety, health, and environmental legislation, HDR is committed to developing, maintaining, and enforcing proactive safe work policies, procedures, and standards.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and other applicable legislation, we are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities. Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process by contacting our Human Resources team.

HDR is a certified Living Wage Employer in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.