Studio

Location: Montreal

The Portfolio Leader is responsible for the strategic planning, coordination and oversight of the projects in alignment with the firm’s goals. The role combines leadership, operational efficiency and delivering great results while maintaining high standards in design and technical quality.

Firm Level:

• Assists in establishing the size and scope of projects to meet budget parameters
• Assists with managing fees and determining project staffing requirements.
• Actively contributes to business development opportunities and proposals.
• Support firm-wide strategic planning and portfolio positioning, branding.
• Builds and sustains long-term client relationships aligned with portfolio growth.
• Actively promote the firm in doing networking, by attending public events and joining external organizations.

Project Level:

• Oversee and guide Project Leaders on project scope, deliverables, schedules, fees, and budget objectives.
• Track financial performance across the portfolio and report variances to Partners.
• Identify the reasons of financial performance shortfalls and actively with the project leads to find solutions and mitigate impact.
• Contribute to resource planning and ensure appropriate allocation of team members to projects.
• Ensure the right people are assigned to the right tasks and delegate work effectively.
• Monitor project hours and ensure timesheets are accurate and completed; review and approve when required.
• Review project leads timesheets and manage team utilization rates and address anomalies or imbalances.
• Lead design and delivery of projects, ensuring continuity throughout all phases.
• Provide strategic input to Project Leaders in analyzing issues and evaluating solutions.
• Lead and oversee contract administration activities.
• Provide oversight in the planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of project phases.
• Prioritize project deliverables and scheduling across the portfolio based on timelines, resources, and client needs.
• Review the workload and capacity every 2 weeks with the other associates and the partner in charge.

People Level

• Provide leadership to Project Leaders in the delivery of the projects, act as a mentor and coach.  
• Manage direct reports and ensure effective allocation and performance of team members.
• Contributes to performance management, including feedback, development, and succession planning.
• Convey and communicate key leadership messages to the portfolio team members.  
• Motivates staff by challenging them, engaging their creativity and recognizing achievement.
• Support HR and the recruitment effort in building the team (ie: interviews with candidates, follow-ups, etc..)

Requirements:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• Member of the Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ).
• LEED accreditation or other sustainability certifications (asset).
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in architecture in heritage conservation.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role in architecture firm
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and/or Project Leaders.
• Demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of projects of varying scale and complexity (preferably in Heritage Conservation).
• Experience in client relationship management and business development.
• Proficiency in French is required and knowledge of English is required to fulfill job duties, including communication with clients.

Leadership & Management Skills:

• Ability to lead, mentor, and coach Project Leaders and multidisciplinary teams. `
• Ability to guide teams in resolving complex design and technical challenges.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to manage team dynamics and resolve conflicts.
• Experience collaborating with HR or leadership on performance and team development matters.
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and engage teams while fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

Strategic & Business Acumen:

• Strong understanding of project financials, including fees, budgets, and profitability.
• Ability to contribute to strategic planning and align portfolio performance with firm objectives.
• Experience in developing client relationships, identifying opportunities, and contributing to business growth.
• Comfortable representing the firm externally (events, industry organizations, networking).
• Strong understanding of quality assurance and maintaining design excellence across projects.

Communication & Collaboration:

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to clearly convey strategic direction and key messages to teams and stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration skills with internal teams, clients, and external partners.

Other:

• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Please send us a PDF copy of your CV and portfolio to DFS Recruitment. Note that we appreciate your interest in our firm however only selected candidates will be contacted.

Location: Montreal

Main responsibilities:

• Prepare technical and functional programs;
• Conduct feasibility studies;
• Develop concepts;
• Plan the organisation of deliverables, project documentation, timelines, budgets and resources;
• Lead teams in the execution of their tasks and provide them with technical advice; support and review technical deliverables to ensure their suitability and quality of execution;
• Act as a mentor to less experienced team members;
• Coordinate all project stakeholders;
• Monitor and ensure that projects meet their quality, technical and financial objectives;
• Chair production meetings and carry out the administrative management of projects;
• Carry out construction phase services, including reviewing workshop drawings, preparing instructions, payment certificates, etc.;
• Develop and maintain a relationship of trust with team members and clients

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in architecture;
• Registration with the OAQ or eligibility to register;
• A minimum of 7 to 10 years’ experience in the field of architecture, including experience in the academic, industrial or hospital sectors;
• Proficiency in the National Building Code;
• Excellent technical knowledge of Revit and AutoCAD;
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written);
• Good time management and prioritisation skills, and the ability to handle unexpected or complex situations;
• Demonstrates inspiring and positive leadership;
• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Please send us a PDF copy of your CV and portfolio to DFS Recruitment. Note that we appreciate your interest in our firm however only selected candidates will be contacted.

Location: Montreal

Main responsibilities:

• Prepare technical and functional programs;
• Conduct feasibility studies;
• Develop concepts;
• Plan the organisation of deliverables, project documentation, timelines, budgets and resources;
• Lead teams in the execution of their tasks and provide them with technical advice; support and review technical deliverables to ensure their suitability and quality of execution;
• Act as a mentor to less experienced team members;
• Coordinate all project stakeholders;
• Monitor and ensure that projects meet their quality, technical and financial objectives;
• Chair production meetings and carry out the administrative management of projects;
• Carry out construction phase services, including reviewing workshop drawings, preparing instructions, payment certificates, etc.;
• Develop and maintain a relationship of trust with team members and clients

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in architecture;
• Registration with the OAQ or eligibility to register;
• A minimum of 7 to 10 years’ experience in the field of architecture, including experience in the academic, industrial or hospital sectors;
• Proficiency in the National Building Code;
• Excellent technical knowledge of Revit and AutoCAD;
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written);
• Good time management and prioritisation skills, and the ability to handle unexpected or complex situations;
• Demonstrates inspiring and positive leadership;
• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Please send us a PDF copy of your CV and portfolio to DFS Recruitment. Note that we appreciate your interest in our firm however only selected candidates will be contacted.

Send us a PDF copy of your CV and portfolio to DFS Recruitment. Note that we appreciate your interest in our firm however only selected candidates will be contacted.