Position Description
Architect, Campus Planning & Projects
OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create
OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.
It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Planand guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.
Reporting to the Director, Campus Planning & Projects (CP&P), the Architect, Campus Planning & Projects is responsible for a range of activities and processes related to space planning, design, construction and renovation projects, and facility upgrades. This involves work on campus wide initiatives, as well as specific projects and specific unit needs. The work is collaborative and multi-faceted. The incumbent works with many stakeholders across the University through phases of pre-design, design and construction to enable projects to be delivered on time and on budget.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Projects
- Develop concept layouts and design for renovation and fit out projects; implement project planning for renovations, facilities upgrades and furniture + equipment outfits
- Oversee input from OCAD U stakeholders for data sheets, detailed design by consultants, suppliers and manufacturers
- Engage and oversee external consultants and contractors as necessary to develop detailed drawings, contract documents, estimates and bids that align with OCAD U standards re: renovations, IT, Facilities in general and Facilities Accessibility Design Standards (FADS)
- Work closely with the Facilities team to implement infrastructure related projects such as the multi-phase Decarbonization, the multi-phase roof replacement at 100 McCaul and various other plumbing, mechanical, electrical and envelope projects throughout campus
- In collaboration with the Finance department, tender or otherwise obtain competitive pricing for all construction work in accordance with the OCAD U procurement policy
- Write and manage RFPs and RFQs to obtain competitive bids
- Develop and manage budgets and schedules for projects ranging from a value of $5 hundred to $5 million. Review cost estimates at all stages of the project to ensure adherence to budget and good value
- Liaise with Finance department through all phases of projects to develop total project cost budgets, and ensure each project stays on budget and is tracked accurately
- Carry out contract administration in the owner role, including advising contractors on coordination with stakeholders and activities in adjacent spaces on campus, while coordinating with units such as Facilities & Studio Services, Safety, Security & Campus Operations, IT Services and Marketing & Communications to implement the project; minimize / avoid interference and disruption, and ensure stakeholder satisfaction throughout all phases of a project
- Receive and maintain all closeout documentation including as-built and final record drawings, commissioning, warranty, operating and maintenance manuals
- Provide clear and thorough handover of all closeout and as-built documentation to the Facilities and Operations teams
- Merge information from recent projects into existing file structure; maintain project records and warranties for the period stipulated in the contract and take appropriate action to correct failure occurring within warranty period
- Communicate with OCAD U stakeholders, community members and consultants and provide guidance throughout all stages of planning and implementation of building projects
- Lead co-design processes with faculty and students to showcase more community talent on campus within the built-in infrastructure, and engage with faculty in an effective and relevant way
- Work closely with and support faculty and students to implement various installations related to celebrating OCAD U’s 150th anniversary and other public facing, city building initiatives, to amplify the university’s brand and interface with the public both inside and outside of the buildings with exhibition, public art, and design elements
- Develop projects that drive the University’s values such as sustainability, accessibility, inclusivity, equity, diversity, and Indigenous culture
- Develop presentation material for projects of varying sizes in a clear, thoughtful, and graphic manner that is suitable for review at an art and design institution
- Write summaries of scope of work, project delivery method, program objectives, design and engineering features, to support grant applications, fundraising material and executive reports
General Unit Work
- Work collaboratively with Campus Planning & Projects team members to enable the successful operation of the unit as a whole;
- Support the designer, the facilities team and others at the university to navigate building infrastructure related issues regarding interiors, systems and building envelope Liaise with other units to refine processes related to project implementation and integration with other units works
- Develop and maintain shared documents, templates and file structure
- Track data at the University to enable effective space planning and reporting (i.e., space allocations, space usage, space condition, etc.)
- Working closely with OCAD U Institutional Analysis Team, oversee the submission process of the report to the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) regarding space use and allocation every three years
- Working with CP&P team members and other OCAD U staff to ensure that drawing records and information files for buildings and projects are up to date including the main floor plans for the university.
- Work with the Director to liaise with the Registrar, Distribution and Facilities Teams to develop and maintain a reliable system and record of room capacities and layouts
- Participate and support initiatives regarding sustainability and other OCAD U values such as accessibility, inclusivity, diversity and equity
- Work with consultants and City representatives to provide information as required regarding existing buildings as it relates to planning for future projects and partnership incentives
- Build and maintain positive working relations with internal stakeholders, as well as external consultants, contractors, community neighbors, and Government officials
- Respond to issues in a manner that is clear, thorough, respectful and time sensitive
- Work closely with the Director and Designer of the unit, and various other staff to keep the university’s facilities operating in a safe, efficient, and comfortable manner for the benefit of all occupants, including students, faculty, staff, volunteers and visitors
Qualifications:
- Post-secondary degree in architecture or equivalent with a minimum of eight (8) years of related architectural, design or construction project management work experience; OAA accreditation or other professional designation is mandatory
- Experience and working knowledge in design and construction of architecture, engineering (mechanical, electrical, structural, IT/AV), interior design, specification coordination, and construction of projects of various sizes (construction cost: $ 5 Hundred – $ 5 Million+)
- Ability to interpret and review consultant drawings, specifications, and other contract documents
- Strong spatial, numeric and multi-disciplinary analysis
- General awareness of and ability to reference applicable codes and government legislation such as the Ontario Building Code (OBC), Construction Standards Association (CSA), the Construction Lien Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, the National Fire Code, and other relevant codes and regulations (e.g. fire safety regulations, designated substance abatement techniques)
- Strong interpersonal skills, with demonstrated professionalism and sound judgement
- Strong facilitation skills
- Strong organization and administrative skills
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and participate collaboratively in a team environment with various internal and external stakeholders
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and achieve a high level of accuracy while working under pressure
- Be conscientious, flexible and quick to respond to daily tasks and issues
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles of sustainability, equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty
- Advanced computer skills, with a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word), AutoCAD, and Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design); Revit, Blue Beam and Microsoft Project are considered assets
Mode of Work: Hybrid Model.
Compensation: Hiring Range - $46.33 to $50.74 per hour commensurate with experience, plus 4% vacation pay and 7% in lieu of *benefits
*The successful incumbent has the option of pay in lieu or enrollment in benefits.
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, for a total of 27 hours per week. This is a temporary contract expected to continue until May 31, 2027
Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated * resume and cover letter (PDF) by selecting "Apply Now" below. The review of applications will begin Tuesday March 31st and will continue until the position has been filled.
