Senior Architect Post Secondary LeadRelocate from Alberta to Metro Vancouver, BCArchitecture & Post Secondary EducationSalary: $110,000 to $130,000Post Secondary Leadership. Established Clients. Meaningful Career Progression.About the FirmOur client is a well established architectural and design practice with more than 60 years of experience delivering meaningful projects across Western Canada. With a strong presence in British Columbia and longstanding relationships with public institutions across BC, Alberta, and the Yukon, the firm is known for thoughtful design, technical excellence, and highly collaborative project delivery.Their integrated team works across architecture, planning, interior design, and technical delivery, with experience spanning post secondary education, K to 12, healthcare, civic, commercial, and community projects.Post secondary education is an established and important sector of the practice. The firm has longstanding relationships with colleges and universities, an existing portfolio of completed work, and a continued pipeline of active and upcoming projects.Their work within the sector includes academic and applied learning facilities, student housing, campus renovations and expansions, student and community spaces, and longer term campus planning initiatives.The firm is now looking for an experienced Senior Architect with direct post secondary experience who can step into a significant leadership role within this established area of the practice.For an Architect currently based in Alberta, this is an chance to bring your higher education experience into an established BC practice, take ownership of meaningful client and project relationships, and position yourself for increasingly senior responsibilities within the firm.About the RoleThis is not simply another Senior Architect position.The firm is looking for someone who understands the unique complexities of designing and delivering projects within college and university environments and has already established themselves as a strong project and client leader.You will take a senior role across an existing post secondary portfolio, leading complex higher education projects and working directly with colleges, universities, consultants, stakeholders, and internal project teams.Your experience may include:Academic and teaching facilitiesApplied learning and trades facilitiesScience, research, and laboratory environmentsStudent housing and residencesCampus renovations and expansionsStudent services and amenity spacesCampus planning and long range developmentOther complex college and university facilitiesThe firm is particularly interested in someone who understands that post secondary work goes beyond project delivery, including the funding, governance, stakeholder engagement, procurement,



approvals, and planning processes that shape projects within colleges and universities.There is also meaningful room to grow beyond individual project delivery.As you establish yourself within the practice, strengthen existing client relationships, and take greater ownership across the post secondary portfolio, there is an opportunity to expand your mandate into broader sector, team, client, and firm leadership.For someone who has reached a point in their current firm where the next step feels limited, this is an opportunity to make a strategic career move rather than simply a geographic one.What You'll Be DoingLead complex post secondary projects from early planning through constructionAct as a senior point of contact for college and university clientsTake ownership of key relationships within an established post secondary portfolioLead internal architectural teams and multidisciplinary consultantsOversee design development, documentation, coordination, approvals, and construction deliveryNavigate post secondary funding, governance, stakeholder, planning, and procurement requirementsManage project priorities, schedules, quality, and client expectationsMentor architects, intern architects, and technical staffStrengthen long term relationships with existing institutional clientsSupport continued work and future opportunities with colleges and universitiesWork directly with senior leadership on client strategy, sector planning, and future pursuitsTake on increasing responsibility for the leadership and direction of the firm's post secondary portfolioWhat They're Looking ForRegistered Architect in Alberta, British Columbia, or another Canadian jurisdictionEligibility to obtain registration with the AIBC8+ years of professional architectural experienceExperience working on college, university, campus, or higher education projects (mandatory)Proven experience leading complex projects and multidisciplinary teamsExperience managing sophisticated institutional and public sector clientsUnderstanding of post secondary funding, governance, stakeholder, procurement, and project delivery processesStrong knowledge of design, technical documentation, consultant coordination, and constructionProficiency in Revit and contemporary architectural delivery toolsStrong communication, leadership,



and relationship building skillsExperience mentoring and providing direction to developing team membersAmbition to progress beyond project leadership into broader sector and firm leadershipWhy Make the Move to Metro Vancouver?For an established Alberta Architect with post secondary experience, this role provides an opportunity to combine a move to British Columbia with a genuine step forward professionally.You'll be joining an established Western Canadian practice rather than starting over in a new market. There is already a strong foundation in place, with established post secondary clients, existing relationships, completed projects, and a continued pipeline of work.Your experience working with universities, colleges, public institutions, and complex stakeholder groups will be directly relevant to the work you'll be taking on.The Metro Vancouver location also provides access to one of Canada's largest architectural and development markets, while positioning you close to Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the North Shore, and the wider Lower Mainland.Most importantly, the firm is actively looking at the next generation of its leadership.This isn't about relocating for essentially the same position somewhere else. The right individual will have the opportunity to establish themselves within an important area of the practice, demonstrate how they lead projects, clients, and teams, take greater ownership over time, and progress toward broader leadership responsibilities within the firm.What the Firm OffersCompetitive compensation of $110,000 to $130,000, depending on experienceMeaningful career progression into broader leadershipLeadership role within an established post secondary portfolioLongstanding college and university client relationshipsStrong pipeline of active and upcoming workDirect exposure to senior firm leadershipSignificant influence across projects, clients, teams, and sector strategyHybrid work schedule and flexible working hoursProfessional development and continuing education supportComprehensive health and dental benefitsLife and disability coverageHealth and lifestyle spending accountsCollaborative and supportive studio cultureFree parking and regular team eventsIf you're an experienced Architect in Alberta who has built your career working on post secondary, college, or university projects and have been considering a move to British Columbia, this is an opportunity to make that move with a clear professional purpose.Bring the higher education expertise you've developed in Alberta into an established Western Canadian practice where you can take on significant leadership, work with established institutional clients, lead meaningful post secondary projects, and continue progressing toward a broader leadership role within the firm.

📌 Senior Architect Post Secondary Lead (Edmonton)
🏢 Gilder Search Group
📍 Edmonton