Principal Architect

The Walter Fedy Partnership; Hamilton; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

People-first culture

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

The Walter Fedy Partnership is seeking a highly experienced Principal Architect to lead and manage large-scale architectural projects from concept to completion. This role requires strategic thinking, design excellence, sustainability, and innovative solutions, with oversight of teams, clients, and schedules.

You will drive business development, mentor staff, and set design criteria while upholding the firm’s standards and processes in a hybrid work environment across Ontario.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture.
• 15+ years of architectural design experience with leadership in large projects.
• Registered Architect with a valid license to practice in the relevant province or country.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite; strong 3D modeling skills.

Responsibilities

• Marketing and Business Development: support proposals and client presentations; identify new opportunities to grow the portfolio.
• Project Leadership: direct design teams and ensure alignment with goals and timelines.
• Design Oversight and Approval: review technical docs, ensure compliance with schedules and standards.
• Team Leadership, Management, and Technical Guidance: lead architects and staff; mentor and evaluate performance.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: enable effective collaboration across architecture, engineering, and construction.
• Problem Solving and Innovation: analyze problems, develop practical architectural solutions.
• Client and Stakeholder Relations: build strong relationships and provide expert design advice.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Project Management

Business Acumen

Client Relations

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

3D Modeling/Rendering

Job description

Role At a Glance

The highly experienced and visionary Principal Architect will lead and manage complex architectural projects from concept through completion. This role requires a strategic thinker with a passion for design excellence, sustainability, and innovation. The Principal Architect will oversee and coordinate design teams, liaise with clients and stakeholders, and ensure the successful delivery of high‑quality architectural solutions. This role also involves defining project scope, establishing design criteria, and ensuring compliance with project schedules, budgets, and company procedures, while providing expert technical guidance throughout the project lifecycle.

You’ll Love This Role If

• You are passionate about designing great buildings.
• You are excited to be part of establishing a multi-disciplinary studio.
• You build and maintain long‑lasting client and team relationships.

What You Will Do

Marketing and Business Development

• Participate in proposal development and client presentations, and critical external engagements along with providing technical support in marketing programs.
• Responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities, contributing to the firm’s financial growth and project portfolio expansion.
• Establish relationships to support sales in the local market.

Project Leadership

• Direct and coordinate the activities of architectural design teams for company projects.
• Supervise complex architectural tasks related to significant portions of major projects, ensuring alignment with project goals and timelines.
• Develop and define the scope of architectural services provided by the company. Establish the basic design criteria for projects in collaboration with clients, ensuring all project requirements are met.
• Advise on the development of new architectural methods and recommend practical applications of theories and data from architectural research.
• Provide expert advice on innovative design solutions and construction techniques.

Design Oversight and Approval

• Review and approve all project technical documentation, including specifications, schematic diagrams, and building plans.
• Ensure compliance with project schedules, control estimates, and company procedures.
• Ensure the quality of architectural work through rigorous review processes, adherence to standards, and implementation of best practices.
• Conduct regular assessments against project objectives and specifications.

Team Leadership, Management, and Technical Guidance

• Assign and review the work of reporting architects, technologists, designers, and support staff across disciplines, ensuring the quality and compliance of architectural deliverables.
• Provide specialized technical guidance and assess team performance, making recommendations regarding staff selection, training, evaluation, and discipline.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to our company values of quality, client focus, teamwork, sustainability, and community, integrating these principles into daily work practices and interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• Leverage extensive knowledge in architecture, engineering, and construction to make informed recommendations on project organization, work methods, procedures, and technical innovations.
• Facilitate effective interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Participate in short and long‑range planning efforts, contributing to the firm’s strategic direction and growth. Provide insights and recommendations on project and organizational goals.

Problem Solving and Innovation

• Use initiative and judgment in analyzing problems, determining critical factors, and deciding on effective approaches.
• Organize and conduct investigations and analysis, providing practical and economical solutions to architectural challenges.
• Operate as a company authority in critical external engagements, including dispute resolution between clients, consultants, and contractors. Ensure successful project outcomes and maintain positive client relationships.

Client and Stakeholder Relations

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, clients, and external agencies. Act as a primary point of contact for clients, ensuring effective communication and satisfaction throughout project phases.
• Provide expert advice on design processes and construction methods.

What You Bring To The Table

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in architectural design, with significant experience in a leadership role managing large‑scale projects.
• Registered Architect with a valid license to practice in the relevant province or country.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in architectural software such as AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite. Advanced skills in 3D modeling and rendering software preferred. Strong knowledge of architectural design principles and construction processes.
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership abilities with experience in managing project teams, providing mentorship, and fostering a collaborative and high‑performance culture.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present ideas, negotiate contracts, and build relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Problem‑Solving: Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. Proven ability to devise innovative solutions and handle complex architectural challenges.
• Project Management: Advanced project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource management. Experience in contract negotiation and administration.
• Business Acumen: Understanding of business development processes, client engagement, and financial management. Ability to identify and pursue new business opportunities.

Life at WalterFedy

We are a people‑first organization that embraces a hybrid work strategy. This approach gives our team the autonomy and flexibility to choose what work environment mix is best for them based on their role, team, clients, and personal needs.

As an innovative multi‑discipline design and construction collective, our ambition goes beyond great design - we are here to enhance the world around us. To make it happen, we need a team of agile, ambitious, and big‑picture thinkers who share our drive to harness our collective talents to do something bigger.

Our team is made up of the industry’s best. We share a common commitment to questioning the ordinary, infusing everything we do with creativity, and challenging our industry to redefine what’s possible.

Join us as we move past working for a living, and toward building better communities with smart, influential design.

Equal Opportunity Statement

WalterFedy strives to create a culture of inclusivity and diversity. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from groups traditionally underrepresented in the workforce. We are committed to equal opportunity hiring practice and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, creed, national origin, citizenship, status, age, sex, gender identity/expression, marital or domestic partnership status, or disability.