Design Specialist

Strategic Group owns and develops office, retail, and residential properties across Canada. Beyond real estate, we own business in construction, building services, oilfield services, hospitality, pet care, agriculture, technology, and corporate finance.

Strategic Group has an exciting opportunity for a Design Specialist.
Strategic Group is one of the most innovative and unconventional developers in Canada and a leader in office to residential conversions. This means the job is never the same every day and there are opportunities to implement new ideas most of the industry has yet to explore.
The Development and Construction Team is expected to double in the next few years with an anticipated volume of construction at any one-time of 1000 residential units. This allows for advancement for team members looking for new challenges. The business strategy involves quick decision making and removing the bureaucracy so team members can focus on managing their jobs rather than writing long reports and waiting for approvals.
Supporting the Sr. Director, Development (Architect, AAA) and working with the Strategic Group team, the Design Specialist will be responsible for executing on space planning, project ideation, design drawing, specifications, materials research, maintenance of design standards and solving creative challenges of our projects through design and construction. Your goal is to utilize your creative approach to be part of a growing development team. You want to share your ideas to push for innovation. You desire to push design initiatives and develop well considered spaces. You are looking for a company that values your passion for design, development, and desire to learn. Your goal is to use your execution, relationship, and management skills to create successful designs and delivery of projects. You want to use creativity, innovation, and collaboration to bring forward strategies that will maximize value. You want to embrace our vision and our values around our people (learning, growing having fun), our business (longevity, sustainability, growth), and our community (pride, impact, legacy).

As our Design Specialist, you will have a minimum of 2 years of Design or Architecture experience or equivalent. You will need to have experience in design management and design presentation challenges with a professional, creative, and unconventional mindset.

**Responsibilities for this position include**:

- Ensure the design intent, objectives and approaches are managed through communication and design packages until project completion.
- Provide research-driven conceptual design concepts and space plans using AutoCAD and presentation software.
- Execute on specification/materials concepts using samples and presentation software.
- Process, update, and track design decisions throughout the development process.
- Manage / Make updates to design selections based on costing knowledge.
- Coordinate with contracted consultants for design management.
- Prepare correspondence: decision letters, authorization letters, commencement and completion announcements, internal memos, and letters, etc.
- Complete any administrative type tasks that are required within the role.
- Be an experienced Designer with skills in multi-family and commercial developments.
- Conduct research and work with internal stakeholders to maintain a pulse on new design trends, materials, and concepts that would influence design strategies.
- Leverage research and design theory to develop robust designs.
- Attend construction sites as needed.
- Create strong internal relationships to succeed in leading projects from concept to completion.
- Optimize external relationships including, consultant, engineers, and product reps.
- Research and recommend unconventional and creative designs and materials.
- Deliver projects while reducing capital and operating costs to improve revenue streams.

**Requirements for this position are**:

- At least 2 years of experience in design, architecture or equivalent.
- Have a strong working knowledge of AutoCAD, Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Strong knowledge of building drawings & systems (architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, HVAC) is required.
- Some knowledge of the Alberta Building Code and city permit requirements will be considered a strong asset.
- Attentiveness to detail including the ability to prioritize and complete tasks and projects on time.
- Experience tracking multiple projects.
- Ability to visit construction sites on a regular basis.
- Be able to effectively prioritize and manage your time well.
- Extremely strong organization and presentation skills.
- Have a strong sense of personal accountability.
- Ability to work well within a team environment.

We are looking for someone who takes pride in their work and takes personal accountability to ensure that deliverables are of strong quality. Strategic Group offers a competit