Project Lead - Public Realm

Aecom; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global infrastructure consulting firm in Calgary is seeking a Project Lead – Public Realm to manage diverse landscape architecture and urban design projects. This role involves leading project teams, engaging clients, and ensuring projects meet quality expectations. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record of leadership in public sector projects and at least 8 years of relevant experience. The firm offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and dental benefits

Hybrid office environment

Career development opportunities

Competitive compensation package

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive professional public realm experience.
• Proven experience managing people and projects.
• Registered Professional in Alberta and/or British Columbia.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from proposal through completion.
• Manage scope, budgets, schedules, and client expectations.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver complex projects.

Skills

Leadership

Client-Centric

Technical Excellence

Software Proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture or Urban Design

Tools

Autodesk products

Adobe Creative Cloud

Microsoft Office

Revit

Rhino 3D

Job description

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Shape Cities. Shape Communities. Shape the Future.

At AECOM Buildings + Places, we plan, design and deliver some of the most complex infrastructure in Canada, helping realize our firm’s vision of a world where infrastructure creates opportunities for everyone. Our Calgary studio is seeking a Project Lead – Public Realm to act as the driving force of transdisciplinary teams delivering work for our Social Infrastructure and Transit Market Sectors. These sectors are rapidly expanding across Alberta and British Columbia with core clients that span municipal, provincial and federal governments; First Nations; and transit agencies. We are also gradually expanding our portfolio in sports, higher education and health care. We serve our clients by bringing together the best people, ideas and technical expertise to help transform our client’s ambitions into action.

This opportunity is more than a job -- it is a chance to help win and deliver career-defining projects, elevate the scope and scale of your practice, and make a tangible impact on how communities live, move, and thrive.

Why Join Us?

Cultivate a Career without Limits: As a large, multi-national corporation, there are limitless opportunities for career growth at AECOM. As our successful applicant, you will be responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and control of multiple Landscape Architecture and Urban Design projects from inception through completion. Project types include but are not limited to:

• Large-scale streetscapes
• Complex municipal plazas
• Institutional buildings
• Light rail and bus transit infrastructure
• Green infrastructure and ecological restoration
• Regional, Provincial and National parks

As a senior professional, you will guide the team to drive quality, scope, budget, and schedule, while meeting our client's expectations and AECOM’s Client Promise.

Foster and Promote Creativity: Apply your genuine excitement, enthusiasm, and creativity for large and extra‑large scale projects that are the hallmark of AECOM. Work on challenging, trans‑disciplinary infrastructure and design projects that “lead with landscape” and complement our strong technical capabilities in civil and transportation engineering.

Proposal through Completion: Secure your own future by developing winning ideas that capture the imagination of our clients at the proposal stage. You will then direct projects from inception through completion and may serve as the Authenticating Professional on deliverables.

Work Nationally: Apply your interests and abilities across Canada – our team brings the best people forward based on best‑fit for the project rather than selecting based on geographic location. Our Calgary studio collaborates on projects throughout British Columbia, Alberta, the prairies and Ontario.

Lead & mentor: Guide junior staff, share your expertise, and foster a collaborative studio culture.

What You’ll Do

As a Project Lead, you will:

• Lead projects from proposal through completion – proposal, negotiations, site analysis, concept/schematic design, detailed design, construction documentation, and contract administration.
• Manage scope, budgets, schedules, and client expectations on civic buildings, institutional sites, plazas, streetscapes, trails, parks, and open spaces.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver complex projects, across the studio, and across the country.
• Champion sustainable and resilient design, with a focus on ecological restoration, climate adaptation, and innovation in public realm projects.
• Engage clients and stakeholders, lead presentations and workshops, and develop strong long‑term relationships.
• Contribute to practice growth, business development and studio strategy by working closely alongside other Project Leads, Market Sector Leads, Practice Leads and Operations Leads who drive overall expansion of Buildings and Places in Calgary.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For: In your cover letter, CV, portfolio and possible interview, identify your skills and capabilities in the following areas.

• Leadership: Proven track record in managing both people and projects at all stages, direct staff, and coordinate consultants. History of mentoring staff, junior professionals or volunteer activities that develop leadership skills.
• Client‑Centric: Demonstrated experience transforming client ambitions into project execution.
• Registered Professional: Professional status in Alberta and/or British Columbia.
• Project Experience: Minimum 8 years of progressive professional public realm experience, with a focus on public sector clients in the Social Infrastructure and Transit market sectors.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design or related field focusing on the public realm. Highlight any academic achievements, scholarships, and awards.
• Technical Excellence: Proven abilities in technical design, report writing, and winning proposals. Demonstrate preparation of high quality contract documents, specifications, cost estimates, change orders and site inspections. Highlight any specialized training, design awards, publications or public presentations that attest to your design expertise.
• Software Proficiency: Provide evidence of using technology to deliver technical excellence (i.e. Autodesk products, Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office and 3D applications such as Revit or Rhino 3D).

What We Offer at AECOM

• A high‑performing office culture that emphasizes work‑life balance while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Competitive compensation package with comprehensive health and dental benefits.
• A hybrid office environment, with core “collaboration days” spent working as a team in our studio.
• Intentional career development with a focus on the future; access to AECOM University, our comprehensive training platform, and corporate support for professional dues and development.
• National + global exposure – opportunities to collaborate with clients and staff across Canada and the globe.

Additional Information

• Travel to nearby cities may be required
• Company paid relocation is not available for this position
• Sponsorship for Canadian employment authorization is not available for this position

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well‑being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public‑ and private‑sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects – both in your local community and on a global scale – that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting‑edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award‑winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community – where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.