Studio Lead, Ottawa

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

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Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

The Studio Lead's primary role is to successfully lead the Ottawa Ontario Studio through a balancing of the dual responsibilities of fostering a collaborative, inclusive and respectful culture while overseeing the business operations of the studio to achieve the best design outcomes and sustainable business performance. In this role the Architecture Studio Lead will work closely with and be supported by many colleagues holding various local, regional, and firm-wide positions.

The successful candidate would report directly to the Ontario Managing Principal and be responsible for the 18 Architectural employees located at the Ottawa Ontario office as well as coordinating and collaborating with additional employees from our Engineering and other various consulting teams who also sit in our Ottawa studio.

In this role you will take the steps necessary to successfully:

Support People

• Ensure that the office builds the strength and cohesiveness of its human capital to develop well-rounded professionals doing the best work possible.
• Foster a culture of mutual respect, support, and trust amongst all staff and between and among HDR's many offices, our clients, and our partners.
• Support a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and nurturing design studio environment and make efforts to build a studio community through events and enrichment aligned with HDR's values.
• Celebrate excellence and the encouragement of all.
• Live the firm's values and lead by example.

Grow the Practice

• Support Sector Leads and Business Development Teams in growing our practice.
• Actively engage in Business Development, including project pursuits, general business development activities, and the development and implementation of a local practice growth strategy.
• Represent the Studio at external events locally and regionally.
• Meet with clients, consultants, and contractors to maintain and grow the Studio's relationships.
• Strengthen our local presence in the professional community.
• Support Sector Leads with proposals and pursuit strategies, and review of resourcing and financial commitments.

Achieve Project Outcomes

• Ensure successful project outcomes through oversight of the project delivery process.
• Continue to develop a team of energized professionals who take responsibility for the successful completion of every project.
• Help foster a design-focused culture within the studio and promote innovation and creativity in architectural solutions.
• Lead project performance measurement and monitoring.
• Engage in project management oversight and training.
• Lead monthly project performance review meetings.
• Reinforce and grow studio focus on a culture of excellence and a consistent focus on project execution and design.
• Assume roles, as required, on client projects within your area of expertise and as needed by the firm.

Manage our Teams

• Ensure the Studio has appropriate staffing resources sufficient for supporting ongoing project requirements.
• Manage team workplan forecasting and utilization analysis.
• Lead efforts for Ottawa Architecture staff recruiting, retention, and recognition.
• Regularly review Studio performance with Managing Principal and Senior Leads.
• Mentor peers and reports as a part of this leadership role.
• Coordinate and foster worksharing opportunities with other HDR studios.
• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Ottawa Architecture Studio space.
• Provide support and collaborate with the leadership of the Engineering and other consulting teams that may share the Ottawa Studio space.

Meet High Level Objectives

• Proactively work with the Managing Principal and other office/company leaders as appropriate in the development and implementation of the Studio's overall strategy.
• Establish short and long-term studio goals consistent with firm wide objectives.
• Participate in annual budgeting and monthly income statement development.
• Contribute to the strength of HDR's capabilities, systems, and procedures through continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years project leadership and management experience in Architectural design
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in project leadership and management with Canadian Federal clients and projects

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
• Maintains a professional Engineering or Architecture registration and has extensive related technical management experience
• Outstanding leadership, communication and team-building skills
• Experienced in management and development of diverse teams
• Work cooperatively with company operations managers, business group and technical directors and marketing managers on departmental efforts
• Committed to quality, improvement and promoting HDR values
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Ontario: $136, $185,000.00

Primary Location:
Canada-Ontario-Ottawa

Industry:
Architecture

Schedule:
Full-time

Employee Status:
Regular

BusinessClass:
Gen Architecture

Job Posting:
Oct 15, 2025

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer ). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.