Senior Architectural Contract Administrator

DIALOG; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave top-up programs

RRSP matching

Medical and dental benefits from day 1

Discounted memberships

Gifted time off during holidays

Vacation Buy-Up program

Professional memberships reimbursement

Job summary

DIALOG, a multidisciplinary design firm in Canada, seeks an experienced Contract Administrator to lead CA-phase delivery across large projects. You will establish protocols, coordinate with owners, consultants, and contractors, and oversee documentation and closeout activities.

You will mentor staff, manage risk, and ensure adherence to contract requirements while navigating fast-paced construction environments across diverse disciplines.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of Contract Administration experience on multiple projects.
• Experience leading CA on complex projects (>$100M).
• Knowledge of standard and non-standard contracts (CCDC, etc.).
• Understanding procurement, changes, claims, delays; risk mitigation.
• Expert in field reviews, payment certification, contract docs & changes.
• Strong building science knowledge and understanding of systems.
• Familiarity with building codes and regulations.
• Analytical, problem-solving and decision-making in high-risk scenarios.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary coordination and contractor reviews.
• Experience leading Substantial Completion, closeout & project handovers.
• Mentoring and developing team members across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all CA-phase activities ensuring contract requirements and design intent.
• Establish project protocols and communication frameworks across stakeholders.
• Conduct site reviews and direct corrective actions for conformance.
• Monitor schedule, cost and progress; identify risks and advise Owner.
• Direct contract documentation and responses (RFI, PCN, CO, Submittals).
• Provide clear direction to contractors and consultants on contracts.
• Lead conflict resolution, negotiations and claims handling.
• Provide technical leadership on construction issues and sequencing.
• Mentor junior staff and promote CA best practices.

Skills

Contract administration

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Travel willingness

Education

Architecture/Engineering background incl. Revit

CCCA certification

Tools

Onware

Part3

Procore

Prolog

BIM 360

Revit

Job description

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 practice of architects, interior designers, urban designers and planners, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, landscape architects and sustainability experts who design for community wellbeing and urban vibrancy. We are a fun-loving bunch of big thinkers and city-shapers, 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 one of Canada's Greenest Employers, committed to using our design practice as a force for good in the world.

How you'll make a difference:

• Lead and manage all aspects of the Contract Administration phase, ensuring adherence to contract requirements, protection of design intent and effective project delivery
• Establish, implement and enforce project protocols, communication frameworks and contract administration procedures across all stakeholders (owner, consultants, contractor, vendors, AHJs)
• Conduct site reviews for general conformance with contract documents, identifying deficiencies and directing appropriate corrective action
• Independently monitor contract progress including schedule, cost and work-in-place, identifying risks and proactively advising the Owner of potential impacts
• Direct and oversee all contract documentation and communications (RFI, SI, PCN, CO, CD, Submittals) including review and coordination of multidisciplinary consultant input prior to issuance
• Interpret contract documents and provide clear, consistent direction to contractors and consultants, ensuring fair and defensible contract administration
• Lead resolution of conflicts, negotiations, and claims in a fair and balanced manner
• Provide technical leadership on construction issues, leveraging strong knowledge of building systems, constructability and sequencing
• Mentor and provide direction to junior and intermediate team members, supporting capability development and consistent CA best practices

Who you are:

• 10+ years of experience in Contract Administration or related field with demonstrated leadership of CA-phase delivery across multiple project scales and complexity
• Proven experience leading contract administration on complex projects (greater than :$100M construction value) with minimal supervision
• Advanced knowledge of standard and non-standard construction contracts (CCDC, CCDC 5A/5B, supplementary conditions, alternative delivery models, etc.)
• Deep understanding of procurement process, contract law principles and administration of changes, claims and delays, including claim avoidance and mitigation strategies
• Expert-level proficiency in field reviews, payment certification, contract documentation, and contract change management (PCN, CO, CD, etc.)
• Strong building science knowledge, including materials, methods, and construction processes
• Knowledge of building construction systems and assemblies, including how components are sequenced and installed in the field (foundations, structure, envelope, M&E systems, finishes, etc.)
• Deep understanding of building codes, construction procedures, and relevant legislation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sound, defensible decision-making in complex or high-risk scenarios
• Proven ability to lead coordination and review of multidisciplinary consultant input, providing clear direction to consultants and contractors
• Experience leading Substantial Completion, Total Performance and closeout processes
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and developing team members across disciplines
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities in high-pressure, fast-paced construction environments
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle. Able to travel to project sites, including occasional short-duration trips to locations outside the Calgary/Edmonton area

You’ll stand out with:

• Experience with alternative delivery models (CM, Design-Build, IPD) and associated CA implications
• Experience advising Owners on procurement strategies, tender evaluations and contract award recommendations
• Experience reviewing and responding to contract claims, delays and disputes
• Advanced experience with construction scheduling review (critical path awareness)
• Exposure to quality management processes and pre-bid document reviews
• Experience contributing to training, internal knowledge sharing or CA practice development
• Experience with construction management software platforms (Onware, Part3, Procore, Prolog, BIM 360, etc.)
• Background in Architecture, Architectural Technology, Engineering or related field, including experience with Revit
• Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) with CSC

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. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us. At DIALOG, we believe compensation should reflect the unique talent each person brings to our team. We look at annual market data to understand how different roles are compensated in our industry, but we also recognize that your experience, skills, location, and the impact you make all play a part in shaping your total rewards. Because of this, final offers may differ from the ranges listed - we want to make sure everyone is recognized in a manner that is fair, competitive, and true to the value they bring.