Associate Director, Architecture

The Ottawa International Airport Authority (Authority) is accepting applications for a full-time Associate Director, Architecture.

The Associate Director, Architecture is the senior architectural authority for the Ottawa International Airport campus, providing strategic leadership for architectural planning, design standards, facility modernization, capital renewal, accessibility, sustainability, space utilization, and asset stewardship. The role oversees architectural projects from concept through operational handover, establishes airport-wide design governance, and collaborates with internal departments, tenants, consultants, regulators, and stakeholders to deliver safe, functional, maintainable, resilient, and passenger-focused facilities that support long-term airport growth and operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic and technical leadership

• Serve as the airport's principal authority on architectural planning, design standards, building envelopes, interiors, and passenger-facing facilities
• Develop and maintain long-term architectural master plans aligned with growth, operations, sustainability, and asset management objectives
• Establish and govern airport-wide design standards, specifications, quality assurance frameworks, and space planning criteria
• Provide expertise in building codes, accessibility, life safety, sustainability, and industry best practices
• Lead architectural input for terminal expansions, facility redevelopment, modernization initiatives, and future infrastructure planning

Team and stakeholder leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing architectural technical support function focused on safety, service, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Recruit, onboard, mentor and develop internal technical staff and oversee integrated teams of consultants, contractors, and specialists
• Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and assist in performance reviews of the technical support team
• Oversee architects, consultants, engineers, contractors, and multidisciplinary project teams
• Serve as the primary architectural liaison between stakeholders, tenants, regulators, maintenance teams, external authorities and auditors, and project groups
• Promote collaboration and alignment between operational, maintenance, project delivery, and customer experience objectives

Capital, financial and contract management

• Participate in the development of architectural capital renewal, sustaining capital, and infrastructure improvement budgets
• Lead facility renewal programs including modernization, renovations, accessibility upgrades, wayfinding, and building envelope projects
• Manage consultant contracts, professional service agreements, design assignments, and vendor relationships
• Monitor project scope, budget, schedule, risk, resource allocation, and quality performance
• Support capital planning, business case development, investment prioritization, and executive reporting

Maintenance and operations support

• Act as the primary architectural link between project delivery and facility maintenance, ensuring seamless transition from project delivery to ongoing operations
• Establish facility condition assessment, inspection, performance monitoring, and lifecycle management programs
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of architectural SOPs, maintenance manuals, and technical safety standards
• Develop standards for building envelopes, interior finishes, accessibility improvements, and space utilization
• Provide senior technical guidance on facility deficiencies, performance issues, emergencies, and infrastructure failures
• Support lifecycle forecasting, facility renewal planning, and operational improvement initiatives

Planning and asset stewardship

• Translate facility condition assessments into prioritized capital reinvestment and renewal programs
• Lead airport-wide space planning, utilization, and optimization initiatives
• Monitor facility condition, performance, functionality, and capacity across airport assets
• Define architectural requirements for renovations, expansions, tenant projects, and strategic developments
• Review and approve architectural concepts, designs, materials, and modifications to ensure maintainability, accessibility, sustainability, and operational effectiveness

Project execution and quality assurance

• Lead and/or provide oversight for architectural projects through planning, procurement, design, construction, commissioning, and closeout
• Review designs for compliance, constructability, maintainability, risk mitigation, and alignment with airport standards
• Provide direction on construction, phasing, stakeholder coordination, and operational continuity
• Ensure design intent, quality standards, and regulatory requirements are maintained throughout project execution
• Oversee commissioning, documentation, asset records, turnover packages, and continuous improvement of project governance processes

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Architectural Technology, Building Science, Architectural Engineering, Interior Architecture, Engineering, or related discipline
• Education must support professional architectural and infrastructure leadership responsibilities

EXPERIENCE

• Eight (8) years of progressive experience in architectural planning, design management, facility development, or capital project delivery
• Five (5) years of leadership experience managing technical, professional, and consultant teams
• Experience delivering complex infrastructure, transportation, airport, institutional, or public-sector projects
• Strong background in building envelopes, space planning, accessibility compliance, building codes, and facility modernization

SKILLS

• Proven track record of leading large-scale capital renewal, facility modernization, infrastructure renewal, and multidisciplinary technical projects to successful completion
• Leadership of capital renewal, facility modernization, and strategic infrastructure programs
• Strong expertise in architectural design, building systems integration, codes, accessibility, and sustainability within a complex operational environment
• Advanced knowledge of facility lifecycle management, building performance, asset management, and maintenance optimization practices
• Advanced financial management, budgeting, capital planning, cost control, capital forecasting, and business acumen
• Expert knowledge of technical project management principles, including procurement, contracts, scheduling, construction, commissioning, and project financial controls
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, negotiation, and team leadership skills
• Ability to build positive and productive relationships with stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and operational teams
• Strong strategic thinking, organizational skills, judgment, political acuity, and resilience, with the ability to lead effectively under pressure
• Advanced knowledge of applicable building codes, accessibility requirements, safety regulations, regulatory compliance, and quality management processes within complex infrastructure or construction environments
• Proficiency with BIM, Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, asset management systems, project delivery frameworks and other project management and facility management technologies, as applicable

LANGUAGE

• Excellent verbal, written, and technical reporting skills in English

ASSETS

• Advanced education in architecture, facilities, infrastructure, or asset management
• Formal training in sustainable design or building sciences
• Registered Architect designation (OAA or equivalent)
• PMP, LEED AP, WELL AP, FMP, or similar professional certifications
• Experience in highly regulated and operationally sensitive environments, preferably airports, aviation facilities, transportation hubs, or regulated public infrastructure
• Experience in airports, aviation facilities, transportation hubs, or regulated public infrastructure
• Expertise in passenger experience design, accessibility, sustainability, terminal planning, and digital project delivery
• Bilingualism (English and French)

ABOUT THE POSITION

Job requirements

• Have a valid driver’s license (Class G or equivalent)
• Provide a driver’s abstract (issued within the last month)
• Successfully obtain:
• A security clearance check for a Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC)
• An Airside Vehicle Operators Program (AVOP) permit

To explore this opportunity, please send your resume to [email protected].

The Authority is committed to the principles of Employment Equity and to achieving a workforce that is representative of the diversity of the Canadian population. We strongly encourage candidates to self-identify if they are Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, or members of visible minorities. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment and selection process. If you require accommodation at any stage of the process, please contact us directly. Your request will be treated confidentially and with respect.

Authorization to work in Canada

It is a fundamental condition of your employment with the Airport Authority that you are, and remain, legally authorized to work in Canada for the duration of your employment. This offer of employment is conditional upon your entitlement to work legally in Canada. You are required to provide, upon hire and as requested thereafter, valid documentation confirming your legal authorization to work in Canada to the satisfaction of the Airport Authority. If the Airport Authority determines that the above condition has not been met, you will be notified in writing, and this offer of employment shall be considered null and void ab initio.