Division Manager, Landscape Architecture

Friday, September 13, 2024

Based in Western Canada for over 110 years, McElhanney offers innovative and practical engineering, surveying, mapping, planning, landscape architecture, and environmental services. As a 100% employee-owned and operated firm, with over 1,400 staff members in 33 locations, we are proud to offer qualified staff with shareholding options in our company. At McElhanney, we work in teams to build strong connections with our staff, clients, and local communities. Our employees enjoy working here because of our varied projects, high levels of autonomy, opportunities for career development, excellent total compensation and benefits package, and collaborating with a team of great professionals.

Background:

We're excited to announce a Division Manager opportunity within our Landscape Architecture team in Edmonton. We are in search of a leader who embodies exceptional leadership qualities and possesses robust technical skills specifically tailored to a diversity of Landscape Architecture practice areas in both the public and private sector. As a Division Manager, you'll have the chance to cultivate and lead a dynamic team, leading projects focused on urban integration; community development; parks, open space, sports, recreation, and trails; active transportation; cultural landscapes; commercial/hospitality; institutional; industrial; and environmental/sustainable planning, design, and implementation.

We're committed to seamlessly transitioning into this new chapter, ensuring continuity in delivering extraordinary outcomes to McElhanney's people, clients, and communities. Reporting to the Branch Manager of our Edmonton Engineering Branch, this opportunity offers the successful candidate the chance to collaborate closely with the current Division Manager and regional leadership team leveraging their expertise to propel the division and the branch to the next level of success.

The Opportunity:
This role presents an exceptional opportunity for individuals aspiring to enhance their leadership within the realm of multi-disciplinary landscape architectural projects. As Division Manager, you will have the autonomy to cultivate and expand the division in alignment with strategic vision. Collaborating with a dynamic team comprising engineers, planners, surveyors, and support staff of our Edmonton office, you’ll engage and lead your team in diverse projects spanning from initial feasibility assessments and conceptual design to full project execution and commissioning.

The role requires not only a deep understanding of technical aspects but also necessitates business acumen, adept people leadership, financial acuity, client relationship management, and a flair for business development.

The successful candidate will be based in Edmonton and will lead a team of seven (7) employees that include senior, intermediate, and junior Landscape Architects and Landscape Architectural Technologists. You will play a pivotal role in mentoring junior staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the team. You'll also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the array of technical services offered by McElhanney including civil, structural, geotechnical, environmental, and electrical, while building collaborative relationships with our Landscape Architecture team based in British Columbia and local and regional branches, facilitating the delivery of projects within the communities we work, live, and play in.

You will leverage and forge an extensive network within the industry, to establish and nurture relationships with key stakeholders such as Parks Canada, the Province, Alberta municipalities, and private clients for identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Organizing, planning, and managing the daily tasks and operations of the Division.
• Evaluating the Division's performance and identifying areas of improvement.
• Providing technical direction and professional support to Division and Branch personnel.
• Ensuring that staff members comply with Corporate and Branch policies and procedures.
• Assisting with employee recruitment, as well as supporting the onboarding process and training of new Division staff members.
• Managing and supporting Division staff performance and career development.
• Overseeing Division marketing and client/business development - analyzing markets to capitalize on opportunities and develop new business and liaise with key clients, agency representatives, and partners.
• Maintaining Corporate, Branch, and Division standards and quality of work.
• Managing and/or directly involved in the planning, design, and implementation of a diversity of projects of moderate to complex scope, utilizing knowledge, experience, and standard landscape architect practices, procedures, and problem-solving techniques.
• Preparing proposals and establishing project work for the Division in collaboration with Corporate, Branch and/or other Divisions.
• Maintaining effective and efficient communications with clients and colleagues on projects and pursuits.
• Maintaining and enhancing landscape architectural planning and design approaches and technical resources.
• Provide technical guidance to landscape architects, landscape architectural technologists and other McElhanney discipline staff assigned to common projects. Coordinate work schedules to ensure timely completion of projects and efficient use of resources from concept through construction.
• Manage and deliver projects, with a focus on client care, budget, and schedule.

Qualifications:

• A degree in Landscape Architecture from an accredited university with strong technical skills and 10+ years of related technical experience in Western Canada with a background in private or public practice.
• Full membership or the ability to obtain immediate full membership with the Alberta Association of Landscape Architects/Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. Full membership with the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects would be an asset, as the Edmonton Branch supports BC project developments.
• Proven ability to attract and retain clients, win projects, and consistently provide high quality deliverables on time and on budget
• Strong people, leadership, business, and organizational skills
• A great attitude with the ability to lead, develop, build trust and engagement, and motivate team members

What Can We Offer You? The salary range for this position is $105,000 to $150,000 per annum. McElhanney offers fair compensation that is commensurate with the individual’s education, experience, skills, and professional qualifications. The posted base salary/wage range is representative of the required level of qualifications and experience for the position as noted in the job posting. The salary offered will be based on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer:

• Flexible work hours to accommodate your lifestyle
• Benefits, including extended health and dental coverage, healthcare spending account, and RRSP matching.
• Maternity leave top-up and parental leave top-up
• Competitive salary and participation in our generous Performance Bonus Plan
• Opportunity for the right candidate to become a shareholder in an employee-owned company
• Employee and Family assistance program, which offers 24/7 support for all employees and their families either online or over the phone
• Continuous support for your professional development and growth

Application Instructions:

Please include the following in your application:

• An updated resume and portfolio of work that is relevant to the position outlining:
• A cover letter that includes:
• Your motivation for applying for this position, highlighting what specifically attracts you to the role.
• Explain how your unique blend of skills and experiences would enable you to make a significant impact as both a people leader and a business leader at McElhanney.
• Outline the competency, knowledge, and understanding with respect to project management, corporate skills and traits and illustrates the diversity of project work completed as a Landscape Architect and levels of project planning, design, and implementation.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At McElhanney, our unwavering commitment lies in cultivating a culture that aligns with our core values and fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate the collective achievements of a team rich in expertise, experiences, and perspectives, and welcome applications from individuals of diverse ethnicities, religions, backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, aboriginal statuses, various age groups, and those with disabilities. Requests for accommodations can be made at any stage of the selection process. If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements outlined. We’re interested in getting to know you and explore the unique contributions you can bring to McElhanney!

If this is the opportunity for you, apply now or visit www.mcelhanney.com/careers to learn more. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To learn more about our recognition as Canada's Top 100 Employers (2024), visit Top Employer: McElhanney Ltd. (canadastop100.com).

Visit us on Glassdoor to learn more about our employee experience.

Our Purpose: Amaze our clients. Care for our communities. Empower our people.

McElhanney is aware of activities where individuals have received fraudulent job offers. Please be advised that McElhanney will not ask applicants for any form of monetary exchange at any point in the recruitment process. To learn more visit: www.mcelhanney.com/careers/fraud-warning. The disclosure of your information in accordance with this Policy and applicable law, including to third party service providers may result in your personal information being transferred outside of Canada, including to the United States. Such transferred personal information may be subject to the laws of these other countries and the laws of other countries regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information may be different from the laws of Canada.