Urban Planner

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 collaborative of architects, interior designers, urban designers and planners, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and landscape architects who design for community wellbeing and urban vibrancy. We are a fun-loving bunch of big thinkers and do-gooders, 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 2024 Best of Practice Award Winner, committed to using our design practice as a force for good in the world.

Explore our studios and join us!

Our Urbanist team members are city building problem solvers. They delight in analyzing, visualizing and planning urban environments – places where cultures and communities thrive and flourish. With a passion for creating models of livability and resiliency, our planners imagine how urban infrastructure can reshape our cities in ways that contribute to wellbeing across cultural, economic, environmental, political and social domains. A flexible work schedule of 30 part-time hours per week up to 39.5 full-time hours is available for this role.

• Explore innovative policy and design solutions as part of the creative process within a collaborative and multi-disciplinary team dynamic.
• Deliver projects efficiently and effectively through inspirational leadership of the urban planning and design team members.
• Support the continued development of in-house expertise and methodologies.
• Ongoing development of expertise in policy and design communication.
• Contribute to both broad and deep engagement on several plans, urban designs, policies, and strategies for both public and private sector clients.
• Contribute to all aspects of our planning and urban design practice, from early analysis and visioning, to the creation of conceptual and policy directions, and recommendations to implement and realize a diversity of great, complex, urban environments.
• Work collaboratively with a cross-disciplinary team of people.
• Lead compelling presentations at municipal and public meetings.

• A believer in the power of human-centered design and interested in exploring practices to improve DIALOG’s user research and engagement methods.
• Have a strong interest in planning theory.
• A degree in Urban Planning or a related discipline. A Master’s degree is an asset.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) and Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP) designations are preferred. Eligible candidates will be considered.
• 4 to 7 years of experience in community, municipal, or regional planning, ideally in a consulting environment.
• Able to lead large projects and teams with minimal supervision, including proposal preparation, team management, consultant coordination, and client management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a focus on effective collaboration and integration.
• Inclusive, curious, and patient – you welcome all perspectives. You can connect with people on a deep level.
• Able to harness your compelling written and spoken skills to communicate design and policy.
• Highly organized – you enjoy bringing order to complexity and have acute attention to detail.
• Interested in collaborating and working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Adaptable and comfortable with change. Nimble and able to respond to varying project needs.
• A motivated, quick learner with an entrepreneurial spirit that takes initiative and is proactive.
• Someone who values collaboration, diversity, aspiration, and optimism.

• IAP2 Certificate
• Project management experience
• Experience with programs such as Adobe Suite, GIS, and 3D modeling software
• Experience in participating in or facilitating creative, innovative, and accessible stakeholder and/or public engagement
• Strong abilities in visual and graphic communication
• GBA+ and other certifications

At DIALOG, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference in the world. We encourage you to apply!

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.