Director, Construction & Design

ATB View all jobs

  • Calgary, AB
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 5 days ago
At ATB, we exist to make it possible for our clients, team members and communities. Our purpose is more than aspirational. It's a real commitment we live every day through our values (what we call the ATB ID).Life at ATB is about more than work. In fact, we’re consistently recognized as one of Canada's top employers thanks to our high-care, high-performance culture, upheld by the three commitments we make to our team members:Impact in action: No matter where you are in the organization, you're empowered to make an impact in the lives of our clients and communities.Thrive together: We want you—the unique, authentic you—to feel safe and celebrated at work. We're on a continuous journey to build the most flexible and inclusive programs.Ready for tomorrow: We want to enable your success through interesting and challenging work, performance enablement, and learning and development.## About the roleThis position has a hybrid work arrangement. On average, this means 2 days on-site per week. Please note that this is subject to change due to business priorities.As ATB’s Director, Construction & Design with People Places & Spaces (PP&S) you will serve as the technical anchor and owner’s representative for ATB’s construction & design functions. Reporting to the VP, Head of Real Estate, Facilities, Design & Construction you will lead the Construction and Design department and be accountable for high-level technical expertise, governance, budget oversight, processes, vendor and contract management and operational stewardship. The Director will establish operational stability and execution predictability while maintaining a high-level strategic lens, by building foundational systems and ensuring that complex, multi-year initiatives remain aligned with long-term goals and are delivered within scope, on budget, and on time.This is not your standard industry construction and design leadership role and we are looking for a unique candidate with a passion for leadership as a first priority. In this role, the Director will champion a servant-leadership model, enabling reporting Senior Managers to maintain autonomy over their Construction and Design teams. While leading from behind the scenes, the Director provides technical guidance and ensures project governance remains robust and aligned with both the project delivery framework and enterprise strategies. In this capacity, your key function is not to generate the ideas, but to clear the path and enable the success of others. This role will be the senior conduit between the specialized acumen of construction and design and enterprise, fostering cross-functional collaboration and systems thinking across the team.PP&S is ATB’s real estate and facilities business unit and leads: real estate strategy, workplace optimization & experience, spatial design, construction, project management, leasing & subleasing management, facilities management & maintenance, asset management, facility operations, occupational health & safety, and physical security. PP&S oversees ATB’s 1.5 million square feet of space across Canada and the team is deeply connected to transforming banking through ATB’s client facing locations, and leading the way with our award winning corporate spaces, both of which bring ATB’s mandate to life and power possibility for Albertans.## Accountabilities
  • Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of construction and design professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, process excellence, and continuous improvement.
  • Technical Mentorship: Serve as the technical advisor for complex architectural, design, and construction challenges. Provide deep-level subject matter coaching to Senior Managers on project risks, complexities and site execution in alignment with organizational context, industry best-practices and legislation.
  • Operational Governance: Establish and uphold rigorous construction and design delivery frameworks, department systems, vendor and contract standards, and construction QA/QC programs to ensure enterprise-aligned processes and results.
  • Financial & Risk Oversight: Provide overall ownership and expert coaching to Senior Managers in developing accurate, data-driven project estimations, project budgets, technical value engineering and financial governance. Oversee overall spend and high-value change orders.
  • Enterprise Integration: Partner horizontally to ensure seamless transitions and integrations from strategy to design to construction to operations, putting the overall needs of PP&S and ATB at the forefront.
  • Vendor Ecosystem Management: Oversee the vendor roadmap and strategy within the department and coach on vendor management of Contractors, Architects and Consultants, ensuring accountability, contract compliance, and industry-leading performance.
  • Sustainability & Inclusion Stewardship: Drive the integration of sustainable and inclusive design and construction practices across the physical portfolio, ensuring that all projects align with ATB’s sustainability commitments.
  • Strategic Contribution: Provide construction and design related technical assessments, forecasts and business case analytics for strategic investments in partnership with Senior Managers.
  • Enterprise Perspective: Consistently act in the best interest of the enterprise, considering the broader implications of decisions and actions beyond PP&S.
  • Proactive Communication: Ensure all stakeholders are well-informed and prepared, providing timely updates and briefings on important matters and higher risk items as change is managed appropriately.
## Skills, experience & requirementsDistinctive Skill Requirements:
  • Strategic Translation: Translate the strategies of the enterprise, the operating plan of the PP&S team and the vision and direction set by the VP into tangible outcomes.
  • Senior Leadership: Lead with enterprise first mindset, understanding integration of departments across the team, and working collaboratively in alignment with senior leader peers.
  • Mentorship & Coaching: Demonstrated servant leader and coach approaches focusing on strategic path-clearing and process governance rather than micro-management of daily tasks.
  • Construction Management Expertise: Deep construction technical knowledge, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and execution in authorities having jurisdiction across Canada.
  • Design & Architectural Knowledge: Strong knowledge of design principles, architectural standards, and building codes across Canada.
  • Contract & Vendor Management: Experience in managing contracts, negotiating with vendors, and overseeing service delivery.
  • Communication & Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels and lead with effective change management models.
  • Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Ability to analyze complex situations, identify key issues, and make sound decisions that align with strategic objectives.
  • Accountability & Trust: Demonstrated high accountability and ability to drive results, meet deadlines, and achieve operational goals in a dynamic and demanding environment.
Technical Requirements:
  • A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in a formal leadership role, with a proven track record of leading other leaders and through frameworks and mentorship.
  • A university degree in Architecture or Construction is required. Related disciplines may be considered for the right candidate.
  • Relevant designations (e.g. AAA) and certifications (e.g., PMP, WELL, LEED AP) are considered significant assets.
  • Must possess expert-level technical knowledge of building codes, construction methodologies, architectural specifications, and deep experience in managing the ecosystem of General Contractors, vendors and Consultants.
  • Strong analytical and interpretive skills to recognize and comprehend complex issues, policies, regulatory requirements and industry information affecting ATB's environment.
Don’t meet all the requirements on the list?
A resume only goes so far in expressing who you are and the unique perspectives you bring. If you believe your skills and experience align with the role—but you might not check all the boxes—we want to hear from you. We encourage candidates from all work backgrounds, equity-seeking communities and experience levels to apply. If you’re seeking a career where your drive, perspective and growth are celebrated, we want to hear from you.We’re dedicated to building a workforce reflective of those within our communities, and a culture where our team members are equipped with what they need to succeed—their way. Part of creating an inclusive workplace is recognizing our role in advancing Truth and Reconciliation. We are committed to meeting and exceeding the standards set out in the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations program created by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.What happens next?
If you are shortlisted, you’ll hear from us after the posting closes. Check out our How We Hire page to learn more about our hiring process. If you need any accommodations throughout this process, please let us know at talentteam@atb.comStay in touch
We’re excited that you’re interested in a career with ATB. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to learn more about what our team is up to.

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