Project Manager - Urban Planning and Design

Here at DIALOG, we are passionate about design and believe it can and should meaningfully improve the wellbeing of our communities and the environment we all share.

We are a multi-disciplinary collaborative of architects, interior designers, urban designers and planners, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and landscape architects who design for community wellbeing and urban vibrancy. We are a fun-loving bunch of big thinkers and do-gooders, who are collaborative in our approach, diverse in our perspectives, aspirational in our pursuits, and optimistic about what’s next. We’re always looking for passionate people who share our values and care as much about our communities as we do. We're proud to be a Certified B Corporation and 2024 Best of Practice Award Winner, committed to using our design practice as a force for good in the world.

Explore our studios and join us!

How you'll make a difference:

• Participate in all aspects of our planning and urban design practice, from early analysis and visioning, to the creation of conceptual and policy directions, and recommendations to implement and realize a diversity of great, complex, urban environments.
• Lead stakeholder engagement on several plans, urban designs, policies, and strategies for both public, community and private clients.
• Work collaboratively with a cross-disciplinary team of people, engaging a broad constituency of clients, stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and the public.
• Participate in a broad range of projects: from site specific planning to area wide policy reviews and master plans. 
• Ability to present at and facilitate stakeholder, municipal and public meetings.
• Lead a portfolio of design projects focused on the Planning and Urban Design
• Manage client relationships on key projects 
• Facilitate completion of all design and technical project deliverables as outlined in client contract 
• Establish project milestones consistent with project agreements 
• Organize and lead project meetings to communicate plan to team; introduce team to clients, agreements, budget overviews, team goals and milestones 
• Coordinate project meetings, ensure follow-up on decisions and action items, monitor completion of client responsibilities and communicate progress to client 
• Report to one or more Partners on the status of the portfolio, including project progress, successes and challenges faced 
• Monitor project portfolio finances, identify and follow up on potential changes and additional services, assist in resourcing project team members, evaluate earned value, develop project budgets and update progress projections 
• Work with DIALOG’s Project Accounting team to ensure that project financial deadlines are met and financial performance is monitored 
• Assist in the creation of materials for project pursuits and proposals.

Who you are:

• Possess related experience (including educational, volunteer and professional).
• A graduate of an undergraduate or graduate-level program in urban planning, urban studies, urban geography, architecture, landscape architecture or similar.
• IAP2, GBA+ and other professional training and certifications are plusses, but not required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience using Indesign and Adobe Suite skills required.
• A believer in the power of human-centered design and interested in exploring practices to improve DIALOG’s user research and engagement methods.
• Demonstrated experience in creative, innovative, and accessible engagement
• Have a strong interest in planning theory.
• Inclusive, curious, and patient – you welcome the perspectives of all stakeholders regardless of role. You can connect with people on a deep level.
• Able to harness your compelling written and spoken skills to communicate design and policy.
• Highly organized – you enjoy bringing order to complexity and have acute attention to detail.
• Interested in collaborating and working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Adaptable and comfortable with change. Nimble and able to respond to varying project needs.
• A self-starter, quick learner with an entrepreneurial spirit that takes initiative and is proactive
• Someone who values collaboration, diversity, aspiration, and optimism.

At DIALOG, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference in the world. We encourage you to apply!

Perks & Benefits

Parental leave top-up programs for all parents upon the birth or adoption of a child, RRSP matching, competitive medical and dental benefits coverage upon the first day of employment, discounted memberships, encouraged work/life balance with gifted time off during the holiday season and Vacation Buy-Up program, and reimbursement for professional memberships and dues are just a few of the benefits that DIALOGers enjoy.

Professional Development

DIALOG offers continued professional growth through leadership development opportunities specifically designed for our collaborative culture. Among others, some of our programs include: CoachDIALOG which equips our coaches with essential communication and feedback strategies for building great teams; Integrateducation™ supports DIALOGers in accredited continuing education opportunities; technical skills development via e-learning pathways; and financial support for relevant external learning opportunities. 

Equal Opportunity

DIALOG celebrates diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive environment for all, free of discrimination and harassment. Employment-related decisions are made without regard to sex, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age and race. In accordance with DIALOG’s Accommodation Policy, accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request for candidates throughout the selection process.