Senior Specifications Writer

About the role

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.

This role can be based in the Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto or Vancouver studio.

What you'll do

Investigate and synthesize detailed product data, technical manuals, and performance criteria to develop robust specifications that respond to project-specific needs and regulatory standards.

Evaluate and compare sustainable building materials and systems, recommending selections that optimize environmental performance, durability, and lifecycle value.

Draft comprehensive technical sections, organizing content to ensure clarity, consistency, and logical flow for consultants, contractors, and clients.

Liaise with project teams to verify that specifications accurately reflect design intent, construction methodologies, and project constraints.

Conduct thorough reviews of tender documents and construction contracts to ensure technical requirements are communicated without ambiguity.

Support project teams during bid periods and procurement processes, providing clarifications and technical guidance as required.

Monitor industry advancements and emerging technologies, integrating relevant innovations into specification practices to enhance project outcomes.

Collaborate with internal specialists to resolve complex technical challenges, ensuring alignment between disciplines and project deliverables.

Maintain and update master specification sections and reference standards, creating efficient resources that support current and future project needs.

Mentor junior team members by providing detailed feedback, fostering skill development, and promoting a high standard of documentation.

Champion quality assurance processes, verifying that all specification deliverables meet DIALOG's rigorous standards for accuracy and completeness.

Translate project goals into actionable technical requirements, ensuring that specifications support constructability, performance, and client expectations.

Contribute to the growth of the practice-wide knowledge base, sharing insights and best practices that strengthen the collective capability of the team.

Act as a technical advocate for sustainable design strategies, ensuring that environmental and social performance remains central to material and system selection.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in building materials, systems, and technical detailing, with a strong understanding of how assemblies perform in real-world applications.

Proficient in researching and interpreting technical product data, construction standards, and industry guidelines to inform accurate specification writing.

Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, precise, and logically organized documentation for professional audiences.

Strong analytical abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to evaluate complex information and synthesize it into practical and compliant solutions.

Commitment to collaborative work styles, engaging effectively with multidisciplinary teams and adapting communication to suit diverse stakeholders.

Solid judgment in making informed decisions that balance design intent, constructability, sustainability, and project budget limitations.

Willingness to take ownership of technical responsibilities, demonstrating initiative and reliability in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Adherence to professional standards and a detail-oriented approach, ensuring that all deliverables are accurate, consistent, and thoroughly vetted.

Nice to have

Experience within the institutional, commercial, or multi-unit residential sectors, with an understanding of the unique demands of these project types.

Exposure to sustainable certification frameworks such as LEED or WELL, and familiarity with performance-based rating systems.

Knowledge of current procurement processes and contractual documentation related to construction administration.