Studio Manager, Public

NORR; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

NORR in Ottawa seeks a Studio Manager to lead the Public sector Studio, aligning staffing, delivery, and financial success with growth objectives.

You will oversee project delivery, client management, and operations while mentoring staff and ensuring adherence to safety and standards.

Qualifications

• Knowledge in architectural design and presentation; intermediate M&E, structural building systems, permit and building codes.
• Technically advanced in architectural or engineering systems and design.
• Ability to obtain Secret security clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and scheduling of Studio projects to prioritize activities and allocate resources.
• Review project work for technical excellence, on-time delivery, and financial health.
• Mentor staff and perform HR duties, including annual reviews and salary recommendations.

Skills

Architectural design

Project management

Staff supervision

Education

Related post-secondary education

Job description

This is an exciting time to join our team. As we continue to grow, we are looking for talented professionals who are ready to contribute, collaborate with exceptional colleagues, and help shape the future of the built environment. If you are looking for a place where your expertise will be valued, your career can grow, and your work will make a difference, we invite you to explore what is possible with us.
We empower our employees to choose where they work whether remotely, from home or from one of our office locations because we believe flexibility, trust, and collaboration drive great results.
Public buildings reflect community priorities and government accountability. Guided by decades of experience and a strong record of delivery, we provide cost certainty while advancing resilience, decarbonization, and accessibility. Through Indigenous partnerships, inclusive engagement, and digital innovation, we create adaptable, secure civic spaces that support services, celebrate culture, and deliver lasting impact.
Learn more about our Public Portfolio.
As a Studio Manager you will be responsible for the overall business success of the Public sector. You will manage staffing levels to ensure resources are available for projects at the right time. You will also review project work within the Public sector for technical excellence, on time delivery and financial success. You will contribute to the office’s annual operating budget, based on the Studio’s revenue forecasts and growth objectives. You will report on their results on a regular basis to senior management and make adjustments throughout the year as necessary. As a Studio Manager, you will lead by example, provide mentorship to staff and have administrative and HR duties to perform on your staff’s behalf. You will also be in involved in billable project activities where required to optimize full use of their time. The preference is for the candidate to be located in Ottawa, but candidates outside of Ottawa will be considered as well.

You Will Make an Impact by

Client Management

• Participating in business development through personal and new client contacts; may provide input to proposals and presentations
• Monitoring level of service given to clients; analyzes trends and makes changes as required to ensure exemplary delivery

Project Management

• Leading planning and scheduling of all Studio projects to prioritize activities and allocating resources consistent with project needs and objectives
• Assisting or determining project budgets, work plans and deliverables to fully plan project execution
• Participating in monthly project reviews to analyze performance, profitability and risk

Project Delivery

• Attending meetings with project managers as necessary and liaises with various stakeholders to determine project criteria, deliver presentations, coordinate resources and provide information as requested
• Sharing expert knowledge of current design techniques, building systems, code analysis and construction methodologies to improve the skills of the Public studio and to ensure they are implemented on project work
• Routinely reviewing work for general conformance to design, technical and quality requirements

Operations

• Developing, implementing and managing an annual operating plan for own Studio; reviewing and updating plan on a monthly basis; strategizing and modifing plan moving forward to suit changing conditions
• Balancing project workloads with requirements to ensure the financial health of the Studio

Staff Management

• Overseeing workloads and provides staff supervision to ensure that work is done accurately, efficiently and complies with policies, procedures and standards as well as best working practices
• Reviewing safety requirements for field work and ensures that staff are trained in accordance with local health and safety regulations
• Takeing responsibility for succession planning within own area
• Conducting annual bonus and salary reviews for all direct reports; analyzes and makes recommendations for all staff within the Studio in accordance with the budget, and makes recommendations for promotions, where appropriate
• Encouraging productivity, innovation, teamwork, and a high level of professionalism within own discipline; leads by example

You Will Bring to the Team

• Have successfully completed related post-secondary education
• Knowledge in Architectural design and presentation; intermediate M&E, structural building systems, permit and building codes
• Technically advanced in architectural or engineering systems and design
• Registered with a relevant professional architectural association is an asset
• Ability to obtain Secret security clearance is required
• 10+ years of prior experience in a supervisory/leadership role
• Managing architectural staff

We Are

The spaces we design and the technology we embrace shape how people live, work, learn, and connect. As an employee-owned, integrated Architecture and Engineering company, you will collaborate with talented professionals on projects that make a lasting impact on communities across Canada, the US, and the UK.
At NORR we are committed to innovation, advancing sustainable design and helping our clients reduce environmental impact, and shaping a net-zero future. We invest in our employees by fostering continuous learning, encouraging innovative thinking, and creating opportunities to solve complex challenges, grow professionally and build meaningful careers.

The hiring base salary range for this vacant position is $120,000.00 - $170,000.00 annually. Actual compensation will be based on several factors such as education, experience, internal equity and skills.