Chief Urban Designer

Chief Urban Designer

City of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta

Job Type: Full Time

Date Posted:
September 3, 2025

Apply By:
September 12, 2025

Job  #: 312464

Compensation:
Level M3 $ 156, per annum

Union:
Exempt

Business Unit:
Community Planning

Location:

800 Macleod Trail SE

Position Type: 1 Permanent

Days of Work:
This position works a 5 day week earning 1 day off in a 3 week cycle.

Hours of work:
Standard 35 hour work week

Audience:
Internal/External

As Chief Urban Designer reporting to the Director of Community Planning, you will serve as the Principal Urban Designer for the City of Calgary and will lead the City's mandate to achieve design excellence across the built environment with a focus on shaping high-quality, inclusive, accessible and innovative urban spaces that reflect Calgary's identity, support economic growth and sustainability, and align with Council priorities and the Municipal Development Plan.

Leading the Office of Urban Design, you will manage quality outcomes on architectural, landscape, urban and public realm design on applications, projects and programs. You will provide expert leadership and subject matter expertise in urban design that influences major city-building projects, public infrastructure, development policies, and design standards by offering professional design services, advancing best practices, and integrating new research in the field to the City.

As a member of the Calgary Planning Commission (CPC), and a future Chair of the Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP), you will ensure that design expectations are met, while offering expert guidance to both Commission and City Council.

• Provide expert urban design oversight on City major projects and/or programs (such as Greenline, Downtown Revitalization, Culture and Entertainment district, 15+ Network).
• Serve as a member, participate and advise on key impact committees (e.g., UDRP, CPC, and Council).
• Oversee the administration, quality control, and compliance of all urban design file review into the development permit, land use applications and outline plan process, to ensure a positive reputation is maintained.
• Collaborate with leadership teams, governance groups, and committees that impact urban design outcomes. Provide support through multi‑disciplinary analysis, reports, research-based recommendations and design services.
• Create innovative urban design strategies for a wide range of future planning, infrastructure, and public space projects.
• Manage and allocate financial and human resources, prepare budgets, develop and report on corporate metrics, formulate annual work plans in alignment with business unit goals. Oversee the functions and operations, including operating budget, of the Office of Urban Design and the Urban Design Review Panel.
• Build capacity and impact through people and policies, direct mentoring, and coaching of staff within the Office of Urban Design.
• Develop a strategic plan for the Office of Urban Design to align with Council objectives and industry best practices.
• Maintain involvement in the design industry, academia, research advocacy and education. Lead collaboration with research and post‑secondary learning institutions; participate in joint research, workshops, and design initiatives.

• A degree in architecture or landscape architecture with at least 10 years of relevant progressive experience, including combined private and public industry experience in design and implementation of complex urban design projects, and at least 5 years' experience in a leadership role.
• You must have a Professional registration as a full member of Alberta Architect Association or Alberta Association of Landscape Architects, OR a membership with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) or Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) with the ability to transfer full membership from other provinces within a year.
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education may be considered.
• Experience with public sector projects and governmental processes including writing and presenting reports to council and committees.
• Expertise in sustainable design principles, architecture and landscape…