Senior Urban Planner

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CIMA+ seeks a Senior Urban Planner for the Calgary office to lead complex planning projects, mentor junior staff, and integrate land use with policy across engineering, transportation and environment. With 8+ years' experience, an RPP designation and CIP membership, you will guide plans and land use strategies, develop bylaws, and act as a key client contact. This is your opportunity to join a 100% employee-owned firm that values flexibility and growth. To apply, tailor your résumé to highlight leadership of projects, client relationships and business development; emphasize communication, proposals and GIS or data analysis; show you can work independently and in teams. Applications reviewed by humans; accommodations on request; self-identification encouraged.

Company Description

Welcome to a commitment to sustainable development you can relate to. 

Welcome to people with an inspiring vision of the future and challenge seekers.  

At CIMA+, you’ll find a place where your ideas and perspectives are welcomed and encouraged. In both the field and at the office, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to reach your full potential in an environment that’s engineered for people. 

We are a firm 100% owned by its employees and we value a collaborative and entrepreneurial mindset. You will have the flexibility to manage your work on your own terms and the opportunity to work on projects you can relate to. 

Welcome to CIMA+ 

Job Description

Our B&A Studios team has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Urban Planner to join them in the downtown Calgary office. As part of CIMA+, B&A Studios combines its recognized expertise in planning, design, and community engagement with the breadth of CIMA+’s engineering and consulting services. This creates unique opportunities for our employees to work on impactful projects that shape communities across Canada. By joining our team, you will benefit from the creativity and collaborative spirit of B&A along with the scale, resources, and growth potential offered by CIMA+, one of the country’s leading multidisciplinary firms.

The Senior Urban Planner plays a key leadership role in shaping planning initiatives and guiding the development of policies, plans, and strategies that influence land use and community growth. This role is suited for an experienced professional who brings technical depth, sound professional judgment, and the ability to lead complex projects and mentor junior staff. Working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, clients, and stakeholders, the Senior Urban Planner delivers high-quality, innovative, and practical planning solutions across a wide range of project types.

Responsibilities

• Leads and manages complex urban planning projects, overseeing scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables.
• Provides technical expertise and professional guidance to project teams, including mentoring and reviewing the work of junior and intermediate planners.
• Leads the preparation of statutory and non-statutory plans, land use strategies, zoning bylaws, policy documents, and development frameworks.
• Oversees research and analysis related to land use, demographics, growth trends, and community needs, translating findings into clear planning recommendations.
• Prepares and reviews proposals, technical reports, and presentations for clients, municipalities, and regulatory agencies.
• Collaborates closely with internal disciplines (engineering, transportation, environment, urban design) to deliver integrated planning solutions.
• Acts as a primary point of contact for clients, municipalities, and key stakeholders, facilitating meetings, workshops, and public engagement processes.
• Applies in-depth knowledge of municipal governance, planning legislation, approval processes, and best practices.
• Identifies and supports business development opportunities, including client relationship management and strategic pursuits.
• Contributes to the continuous improvement of planning practices, tools, and standards within B&A Studios and CIMA+.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in urban and/or community planning.
• Accredited undergraduate or graduate degree in Urban Planning or a related discipline.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation and full membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) required.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex planning projects and managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of land use planning, zoning, municipal policy, governance, and development processes.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients, municipalities, stakeholders, and the public.
• Experience with proposal writing, project management, and business development.
• Proficiency with MS Office 365; familiarity with GIS and data analysis tools is considered an asset.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Why Join B&A Studios

B&A Studios is one of Western Canada’s leading planning, design, and engagement consultancies, now part of the CIMA+ family - one of Canada’s largest privately-owned engineering and consulting firms. Together, we offer an unmatched multidisciplinary platform that connects urban design, planning, engineering, and engagement under one collaborative network.

Joining our team means:

• Working in a studio environment that values creativity, inclusivity, and curiosity.
• Collaborating with professionals across Canada on projects that shape communities of all sizes.
• Contributing to projects that matter — from transformative urban redevelopments to forward-thinking greenfield communities.
• Having the opportunity to lead, influence, and grow in a design studio that is entering its next exciting phase of evolution.
• Enjoying a workplace that offers flexible work arrangements, competitive compensation, professional development support, and a culture rooted in collaboration and respect.

Additional Information

At CIMA+, we recognize the richness and diversity of each individual’s experience. Compensation for this role is therefore based on the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, while maintaining internal equity. The level and associated salary may vary depending on the candidate’s profile.

CIMA+ uses an applicant tracking system that includes an automated match score feature. However, this score is not used to screen, assess, or select applicants. All hiring decisions are made through human review.

Ethics and integrity are fundamental values at CIMA+. That is why we are committed to ensuring equal access to resources and opportunities for candidates, regardless of their identity (race, ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socio-economic status or background, etc.).​

In keeping with the principles of employment equity, we encourage all applications, including, but not limited to, those from women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities and visible minorities. We also encourage candidates to complete the self-identification form when applying for employment.​

Accommodations are available on request. Your Business Partner will process your request.

Find out about The CIMA+ advantage - CIMA+.