The Role
Lead and manage specification writing across architectural projects, advise project teams on specs, tendering and contracts, mentor junior staff, maintain building science expertise, review and produce architectural specifications, and support business development and public-facing knowledge-sharing.
Summary Generated by Built In
Here at DIALOG, we are passionate about design and believe it can and should meaningfully improve the wellbeing of our communities and the environment we all share.
We are a multi-disciplinary practice of architects, interior designers, urban designers and planners, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, landscape architects and sustainability experts who design for community wellbeing and urban vibrancy. We are a fun-loving bunch of big thinkers and city-shapers, who are collaborative in our approach, diverse in our perspectives, aspirational in our pursuits, and optimistic about what’s next. We’re always looking for passionate people who share our values and care as much about our communities as we do. We're proud to be a Certified B Corporation and one of Canada's Greenest Employers, committed to using our design practice as a force for good in the world.
Are you passionate about building science? Do you have a knack for digging deep into technical details and product literature? Are you excited about innovating to design buildings that are functional and beautiful while minimizing their impact on the environment?
As a Specifier at DIALOG, you will be an integral part of our Practice-wide Specifications Team. This team is dedicated to coaching and mentoring you as you grow and develop in your role. You will work closely with Project Management leads, Job Captains, and project teams to prepare, execute, and manage the specification writing process, seeing your projects from beginning to end.
This role can be based in the Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto or Vancouver studio.
How you'll make a difference:
- Collaborate and Advise: Be the point person for all things specifications; our Go To Person! Advise and guide architects and engineers, contract administrators and project managers, and out-of-house specialty consultants regarding project specific specifications and certain aspects of tendering and contracting procedures.
- Leadership: Manage and lead specifications on a variety of projects. Mentor and coach more junior team members, and assist with the management of workloads and project deadlines for the specification group.
- Expertise in Building Science: Maintain currency of specification writing skills, aspects of building science, contract law and product research. Be aware of and seek guidance in the preparation of documents for multiphased and nonconventional methods of contract delivery such as Design-Built, Construction Managed, or P3 projects.
- Foster Relationships: Build effective working relationships with project managers and guide project teams on bidding and contracting procedures, including the preparation and administration of addenda and bid revisions.
- Innovate and Create: Review, edit, and write architectural specifications, and work alongside other disciplines to prepare project documents.
- Business Development: Participate in proposal development. Act as a DIALOG ambassador by presenting, publishing, and speaking publicly on research and technical innovation topics.
Who you are:
- Experienced and Passionate: You have an aptitude for specifications and a passion for building science. Editing and writing specifications may have been a part of your regular work duties, or other equivalent experience gained through construction contract administration or project management through administration and interpretation of the specification.
- Educated and Certified: You hold a degree in architecture or engineering, or a diploma in architectural technology. Certification or a desire to get certified as a Certified Specification Practitioner (CSP) or Registered Specification Writer (RSW) is an asset.
Additional assets that turn our heads:
- Experience: Specification writing on projects of varying scale, typology and project delivery model; building science expertise; construction contract administration experience.
- Awareness: Knowledge of construction specification formats including MasterFormat, UniFormat and SectionFormat, and awareness of OmniClass and its role in BIM.
- Green Thinking: Knowledge of sustainable products and construction techniques including cradle- to- grave issues, environmentally responsible building products, life cycle assessment methodology, and sustainable certification standards (LEED®, WELL™, Living Building Challenge).
- Who You Know: Your experience within a large professional services organizations and contributions to sharing knowledge with your extended network.
This job posting is for an existing vacancy.
Don’t meet every single requirement? We still encourage you to apply! We’re looking for future DIALOGers who are eager to learn, bring unique perspectives, and want to make a real difference in the world—even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification.
Perks & Benefits
Parental leave top-up programs for all parents upon the birth or adoption of a child, RRSP matching, competitive medical and dental benefits coverage upon the first day of employment, discounted memberships, encouraged work/life balance with gifted time off during the holiday season and Vacation Buy-Up program, and reimbursement for professional memberships and dues are just a few of the benefits that DIALOGers enjoy.
Professional Development
DIALOG offers continued professional growth through leadership development opportunities specifically designed for our collaborative culture. Among others, some of our programs include: CoachDIALOG which equips our coaches with essential communication and feedback strategies for building great teams; Integrateducation™ supports DIALOGers in accredited continuing education opportunities; technical skills development via e-learning pathways; and financial support for relevant external learning opportunities.
Equal Opportunity
DIALOG celebrates diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive environment for all, free of discrimination and harassment. Employment-related decisions are made without regard to sex, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age and race. In accordance with DIALOG’s Accommodation Policy, accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request for candidates throughout the selection process.
Skills Required
- Aptitude for and experience editing and writing specifications or equivalent experience in construction contract administration or project management
- Degree in architecture or engineering, or diploma in architectural technology
- Experience managing and leading specification work and mentoring junior team members
- Certification or desire to obtain Certified Specification Practitioner (CSP) or Registered Specification Writer (RSW)
- Knowledge of construction specification formats (MasterFormat, UniFormat, SectionFormat) and awareness of OmniClass and BIM
- Knowledge of sustainable products, life cycle assessment methodology, and certification standards (LEED, WELL, Living Building Challenge)
- Experience with construction contract administration and alternative delivery methods (Design-Build, Construction Management, P3)
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The Company
What We Do
Hello. Glad you stopped by. In fact, we were hoping you’d stop by because we’re unabashedly passionate about design and love to connect with those who feel the same. We’re a team of architects, urban planners, interior designers, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and landscape architects who truly believe design can, and should, meaningfully improve the wellbeing of our communities and the environment we all share. And we don’t just say that. We mean it! We’ve come together because we see the important challenges facing communities becoming increasingly complex. We believe the diverse perspectives and expertise of our multidisciplinary team uniquely position us to tackle these challenges in ways our competitors can't. We even have clients who would tell you we’ve made the impossible possible! Our work includes designing for urban vibrancy, health and wellness, transportation, education, arts and culture, residential, retail, and commercial, as well as mixed-use solutions which incorporate an increasing number of these. As a group of creatives, we’re known as people who think outside the box. But the truth is we’re usually pushing, pulling, cutting, carving, sketching and modelling our clients' needs that eventually become places for communities to enjoy. If you’re interested in thinking outside the box with us, we want to hear from you
