Managing Principal

Nestled in the heart of Canada’s capital city, our region boasts a rich history and specialization in public buildings for government clients and a diverse range of community buildings across our other market sectors. Ourexpertiseshines through work in the Security and Defence sector. Moreover, we have been privileged to lead historical preservation initiatives including Parliament Hill, safeguarding the iconic symbols of Canadian democracy for future generations.

From government facilities that foster collaboration and efficient public service delivery to community centers that enrich the lives of residents, our team in Ottawa is dedicated to creating exceptional spaces that meet the needs of our clients and the communities they serve.

QUALIFICATIONS
Professional designation/education in a design/construction focused field, with a preference for an architect eligible for professional registration in the province of Ontario.

Demonstrated leadership experience building market presence and fostering team engagement.

Preference given to candidates with 15+ years’ experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting directly to the CEO of Architecture
49, the Managing Principal is responsible for overseeing the practice leadership and operations in Ottawa. The Managing Principal works with a team of regional leaders to drive business growth, foster client relationships, mentor and build the team, and ensure operational excellence. In the role you will be responsible for a wide range of duties pertaining to the day‑to‑day functions of the practice, with the objective to grow a team of people and expand the reach of A49 in Ottawa.

Additionally, the Managing Principal is part of the pan‑Canadian A49 national leadership team working collaboratively to balance national goals with regional priorities, fostering shared success across the organization.

Key attributes include senior level experience in project design and delivery and strong business acumen. You will have demonstrated experience and success in managing multiple teams productively, be skilled in project management, project finance, and resource management.

The role has strategic, operational practice and thought leadership requirements with responsibilities related to:

Business Rigour & Financial Accountability
Identify new opportunities, convert them into revenue‑generating projects, and establish strategic partnerships to expand the firm’s presence in Ottawa and surrounding area.

Manage regional budgets and financial results, ensuring monthly, quarterly, and annual financial goals and growth targets are met.

Targeted Growth & Brand Enhancement
Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and implement regional business strategies that align with the firm’s vision and lead in the development of hard backlog/net revenue forecasts. Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices.

Encourage research and experimentation within the firm to push the boundaries of practice innovation and deliver unique and impactful solutions to clients.

Represent the firm in the market and promote A49 to clients, partners and potential employees.

Employee Engagement & Alignment
Capacity building, training, and mentorship of A49 regional resources to deepen knowledge and future proof the region through active succession planning.

Identify hiring requirements and lead regional talent attraction and recruitment with support of talent acquisition resources.

Work with regional people leaders to ensure performance reviews, goal setting and career development are done consistently and is in alignment with the Managing Principal’s business objectives.

Operational Excellence and Project Quality
Ensure quality and efficiency in project execution, providing guidance and support to teams.

Review monthly operational data including core team utilization, project multipliers, revenue analysis (profit/loss), hard and soft backlog, marketing and business development initiatives, client/consulting invoicing, work in progress and accounts receivable, overhead optimization, client/colleague satisfaction and overall quality of work produced.

Lead major projects (as warranted).

Core Competencies
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