Senior Urban Planner

CIMA+; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group benefits from day one

RRSP with employer contribution

Hybrid work mode

3–5 weeks vacation

Professional development support

Job summary

CIMA+ | B&A Studios is seeking a Senior Urban Planner in our downtown Edmonton office. You will lead complex planning projects, mentor junior staff, and guide policies shaping land use.

You’ll collaborate with engineering, transportation, environment, and urban design teams to deliver innovative solutions. The role requires a strong planning background, RPP designation, and communication skills with clients and municipalities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in urban and/or community planning.
• Accredited undergraduate or graduate degree in Urban Planning or a related discipline.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation and CIP membership required.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex planning projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of land use planning, zoning, governance, and development processes.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients, municipalities, stakeholders, and the public.
• Experience with proposal writing, project management, and business development.
• Proficiency with MS Office 365; familiarity with GIS and data analysis tools is asset.

Responsibilities

• Leads and manages complex urban planning projects, overseeing scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables.
• Mentors junior and intermediate planners and reviews their work.
• Leads preparation of statutory and non-statutory plans, land use strategies, zoning bylaws, policy documents, and development frameworks.
• Oversees research and analysis related to land use, demographics, growth trends, and community needs.
• Prepares and reviews proposals, technical reports, and presentations for clients and regulatory agencies.
• Collaborates with internal disciplines to deliver integrated planning solutions.
• Acts as primary contact for clients, municipalities, and stakeholders, facilitating meetings and public engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Urban Planning degree

RPP designation

Tools

MS Office 365

GIS

Job description

Job Description

CIMA+’s Earth and Environment team have adopted sustainability as a core value and prioritize the environmental, social, and economic benefits of every project. Our engineers, planners and certified technicians have the detailed knowledge of local conditions to provide the full range of services for clients in both the public and private sectors. We have the skills to execute complex projects, but we also integrate green solutions into every infrastructure, building, transportation, and energy project we undertake. Join us and immerse yourself in a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative environment where you’ll make a real impact. Together, we’ll push boundaries and go above what’s expected of us to meet the challenges of tomorrow and engineer a better world!

Senior Urban Planner

Our CIMA+ | B&A team has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Urban Planner to join them in the downtown Edmonton office. CIMA+ | B&A combines its recognized expertise in planning, design, and community engagement with the breadth of CIMA+’s engineering and consulting services. This creates unique opportunities for our employees to work on impactful projects that shape communities across Canada. By joining our team, you will benefit from B&A's creativity and collaborative spirit, along with the scale, resources, and growth potential offered by CIMA+, one of the country’s leading multidisciplinary firms.

The Senior Urban Planner plays a key leadership role in shaping planning initiatives and guiding the development of policies, plans, and strategies that influence land use and community growth. This role suits an experienced professional who brings technical depth, sound professional judgment, and the ability to lead complex projects and mentor junior staff. Working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, clients, and stakeholders, the Senior Urban Planner delivers high-quality, innovative, and practical planning solutions across a wide range of project types.

Responsibilities

• Leads and manages complex urban planning projects, overseeing scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables.
• Provides technical expertise and professional guidance to project teams, including mentoring and reviewing the work of junior and intermediate planners.
• Leads the preparation of statutory and non-statutory plans, land use strategies, zoning bylaws, policy documents, and development frameworks.
• Oversees research and analysis related to land use, demographics, growth trends, and community needs, translating findings into clear planning recommendations.
• Prepares and reviews proposals, technical reports, and presentations for clients, municipalities, and regulatory agencies.
• Collaborates closely with internal disciplines (engineering, transportation, environment, urban design) to deliver integrated planning solutions.
• Acts as a primary point of contact for clients, municipalities, and key stakeholders, facilitating meetings, workshops, and public engagement processes.
• Applies in-depth knowledge of municipal governance, planning legislation, approval processes, and best practices.
• Identifies and supports business development opportunities, including client relationship management and strategic pursuits.
• Contributes to the continuous improvement of planning practices, tools, and standards within CIMA+ | B&A.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in urban and/or community planning.
• Accredited undergraduate or graduate degree in Urban Planning or a related discipline.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation and full membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) required.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex planning projects and managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of land use planning, zoning, municipal policy, governance, and development processes.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients, municipalities, stakeholders, and the public.
• Experience with proposal writing, project management, and business development.
• Proficiency with MS Office 365; familiarity with GIS and data analysis tools is considered an asset.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Integrity, team spirit, and a commitment to excellence

At CIMA+, we value diversity of talent and perspective.

Why Join CIMA+ | B&A Studios?

CIMA+ | B&A Studios is one of Canada’s leading planning, design, and engagement consultancies, and integrates into one of Canada’s largest privately-owned engineering and consulting firms. Together, we offer an unmatched multidisciplinary platform that connects urban design, planning, engineering, and engagement under one collaborative network.

Joining our team means:

• Working in a studio environment that values creativity, inclusivity, and curiosity.
• Collaborating with professionals across Canada on projects that shape communities of all sizes.
• Contributing to projects that matter, from transformative policy to vibrant urban redevelopments to forward-thinking new communities.
• Having the opportunity to lead, influence, and grow in a studio that is entering its next exciting phase of evolution.
• Enjoying a workplace that offers flexible work arrangements, competitive compensation, professional development support, and a culture rooted in collaboration and respect.

Why choose CIMA+? Because we offer you:

• Comprehensive Group Benefits available from day one for all permanent employees working at least 20 hours per week
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) with up to 4% employer contribution
• As an employee-owned company, an annual opportunity to purchase shares for all eligible employees
• Flexible work schedule in a hybrid work mode
• Work/Life balance policy across Canada
• 3-5 weeks of vacation, based on years of relevant experience
• Tailored training to improve your existing skills

Additional Information

At CIMA+, we recognize the richness and diversity of each individual’s experience. Compensation for this role is therefore based on the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, while maintaining internal equity. The level and associated salary may vary depending on the candidate’s profile.

CIMA+ uses an applicant tracking system that includes an automated match score feature. However, this score is not used to screen, assess, or select applicants. All hiring decisions are made through human review.

Ethics and integrity are fundamental values at CIMA+. That is why we are committed to ensuring equal access to resources and opportunities for candidates, regardless of their identity (race, ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socio-economic status or background, etc.).

In keeping with the principles of employment equity, we encourage all applications, including, but not limited to, those from women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities and visible minorities. We also encourage candidates to complete the self-identification form when applying for employment.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible. Accommodations are available in accordance with CIMA's policies. If you require an accommodation, please let us know.

Find out about The CIMA+ advantage - CIMA+.