Studio Manager, Public

NORR is a global team of 800 architects, engineers, planners, and interior designers creating design strategies and solutions that express the unique vision of every project. Driven by a common purpose with our clients and partners, we share ideas to create and innovate, bringing people, design, and technologies together to think bigger and act bolder.

Our story began in 1938 and has evolved into an employee-owned, fully integrated firm committed to sustainable development goals across 13 market sectors in Canada, the US, and UK. Design excellence continues to guide everything we do.

Public buildings reflect community priorities and government accountability. Guided by decades of experience and a strong record of delivery, we provide cost certainty while advancing resilience, decarbonization, and accessibility. Through Indigenous partnerships, inclusive engagement, and digital innovation, we create adaptable, secure civic spaces that support services, celebrate culture, and deliver lasting impact.

Learn more about our Public Portfolio.

As a Studio Manager you will be responsible for the overall business success of the Public sector. You will manage staffing levels to ensure resources are available for projects at the right time. You will also review project work within the Public sector for technical excellence, on time delivery and financial success. You will contribute to the office’s annual operating budget, based on the Studio’s revenue forecasts and growth objectives. You will report on their results on a regular basis to senior management and make adjustments throughout the year as necessary. As a Studio Manager, you will lead by example, provide mentorship to staff and have administrative and HR duties to perform on your staff’s behalf. You will also be in involved in billable project activities where required to optimize full use of their time. The preference is for the candidate to be located in Ottawa, but candidates outside of Ottawa will be considered as well.

Duties and Responsibilities

Client Management

• Participates in business development through personal and new client contacts; may provide input to proposals and presentations
• Monitors level of service given to clients; analyzes trends and makes changes as required to ensure exemplary delivery

Project Management

• Leads planning and scheduling of all Studio projects to prioritize activities and allocate resources consistent with project needs and objectives
• Assists or determines project budgets, work plans and deliverables to fully plan project execution
• Participates in monthly project reviews to analyze performance, profitability and risk

Project Delivery

• Attends meetings with project managers as necessary and liaises with various stakeholders to determine project criteria, deliver presentations, coordinate resources and provide information as requested
• Shares expert knowledge of current design techniques, building systems, code analysis and construction methodologies to improve the skills of the Public studio and to ensure they are implemented on project work
• Routinely reviews work for general conformance to design, technical and quality requirements

Operations

• Develops, implements and manages an annual operating plan for own Studio; reviews and updates plan on a monthly basis; strategizes and modifies plan moving forward to suit changing conditions
• Balances project workloads with requirements to ensure the financial health of the Studio

Staff Management

• Oversees workloads and provides staff supervision to ensure that work is done accurately, efficiently and complies with policies, procedures and standards as well as best working practices
• Reviews safety requirements for field work and ensures that staff are trained in accordance with local health and safety regulations
• Takes responsibility for succession planning within own area
• Conducts annual bonus and salary reviews for all direct reports; analyzes and makes recommendations for all staff within the Studio in accordance with the budget, and makes recommendations for promotions, where appropriate
• Encourages productivity, innovation, teamwork, and a high level of professionalism within own discipline; leads by example

Required Skills

• Have successfully completed related post-secondary education
• Knowledge in Architectural design and presentation; intermediate M&E, structural building systems, permit and building codes
• Technically advanced in architectural or engineering systems and design
• Registered with a relevant professional architectural association is an asset
• Ability to obtain Secret security clearance is required

Required Experience

• 10+ years of prior experience in a supervisory/leadership role
• Managing architectural staff
• Salary Range: $120,000.00 – $170,000.00 /annually