About the job
Architecture and science managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of an architecture, landscape architecture, scientific or statistical department, service or firm. They are employed by a wide range of private sector and government establishments as well as by architectural firms and scientific research companies.
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities and operations of an architecture, landscape architecture, scientific research and development laboratory or quality control department, service or firm.
- Develop and implement policies, standards and procedures for the architectural, scientific and technical work performed in the department, service, laboratory or firm.
- Assign, coordinate and review the technical work of the department or project teams.
- Recruit personnel and oversee development and maintenance of staff competence in required areas.
- May participate directly in the design, development and inspection of technical projects or in the theoretical or applied scientific work of the department.
- May consult and negotiate with clients to prepare specifications, explain proposals or present architectural or scientific research reports and findings.
- ecological research manager
- environmental science manager
- laboratory director
- manufacturing research director
- natural sciences program manager
- research and development manager
- rural development manager
- scientific research manager
- statistical department director
- urban planning and development director - government services
To work in these jobs, you need strong leadership qualities and an ability to motivate others. You need excellent organizational, problem-solving, planning, and decision-making skills. You must have confidence and initiative, and you need excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Architecture managers require a degree in architecture, registration as a professional architect and several years of experience as an architect.
- Landscape architecture managers require a degree in landscape architecture, licensing as a professional landscape architect and several years of experience as a landscape architect.
- Science and other managers in this group require a master's or doctoral degree in a scientific discipline and several years of experience in a related scientific discipline.
Progression to senior management positions in the respective fields is possible with experience.
Labour Market Information
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “good”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is better than average when compared to other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. However, competition for positions may be low due to few qualified jobseekers. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow moderately over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Architecture and Science Managers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.
The median employment income for 83% of Architecture and Science Managers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $91,283. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Occupation | Estimated employment in 2018 | Estimated change in employment between 2017 and 2019 | Estimated openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019 | Estimated rate of unemployment in 2018 | Estimated hourly earnings in 2015 (learn more) | Estimated annual earnings in 2015 |
Architecture and Science Managers | 200 | Moderate growth | 20 | Moderate | Minimum: N/A Median: N/A Maximum: N/A | Minimum: $42,810 Median: $89,332 Maximum: $158,961 |
Occupations in Management | 44,250 | Decline | 2,775 | Low | Minimum: $15.77 Median: $34.97 Maximum: $57.69 | Minimum: $10,632 Median: $55,002 Maximum: $124,014 |
Architecture and Science Managers | Compared to: Occupations in Management | |
Percent employed full-time | 98% | 93% |
Percent self-employed | 0% | 19% |
Area of Employment | Architecture and Science Managers | Compared to: All NS Occupations | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Southern | 4% | x | 12% | $30,581 |
Northern | 13% | x | 16% | $33,660 |
Cape Breton | 4% | x | 13% | $32,974 |
Halifax | 69% | $60,238 | 47% | $41,209 |
Annapolis Valley | 9% | x | 13% | $32,958 |

Age | Architecture and Science Managers | Compared to: All Management |
% Employed | % Employed | |
15-24 | x | 2% |
25-34 | 36% | 13% |
35-44 | 29% | 24% |
45-54 | x | 32% |
55-64 | 21% | 23% |
65+ | x | 6% |
Median Age | 47 | 49 |

Gender | Architecture and Science Managers | Compared to: Occupations in Management |
% Employed | % Employed | |
Female | 47% | 41% |
Male | 53% | 59% |
Education | Architecture and Science Managers | Compared to: All Management | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Less than high school | N/A | x | 6.2% | $30,033 |
High school | 4.5% | x | 23.5% | $37,496 |
Trades certificate | N/A | x | 7.0% | $41,701 |
College certificate or diploma | 11.4% | $93,982 | 20.6% | $45,432 |
University certificate or diploma | N/A | x | 3.0% | $59,985 |
Bachelor's degree | 34.1% | $94,297 | 27.7% | $66,107 |
University advanced certificate or diploma | 4.5% | x | 1.9% | $74,902 |
Master's degree | N/A | $95,702 | 9.2% | $81,234 |
Doctorate | 29.5% | x | 0.8% | $83,359 |
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry | 18.2% | x | 0.1% | $79,443 |
Total | 100% | 100% |
Hourly earnings data are from the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. Data are not available for all occupations. Hourly earnings are calculated based on usual hours worked per week. This is how an annual salary, for instance, gets converted to an hourly rate. The data include full and part-time workers along with new and experienced workers. Self-employed workers are excluded.
Annual employment income data reported in the Work Prospects section, are from the 2011 National Household Survey by Statistics Canada. Much of the data (around 70%) came directly from tax records. The data relates to the year 2010 and includes total wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.
Employment Requirements & Contacts
Training Paths & Education
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the mathematical and statistical analysis of risk, and their application to insurance and other business management problems. These programs include courses in forecasting theory, quantitative and non-quantitative risk measurement methodologies, development of risk tables, secondary data analysis, and computer-assisted research methods.
This instructional program class comprises any program that generally prepares individuals to sell, select, and service agricultural or agribusiness technical equipment and facilities, including computers, specialized software, power units, machinery, equipment structures, and utilities. These programs include courses in agricultural power systems; planning and selecting materials for the construction of support facilities; mechanical practices associated with irrigation and water conservation; erosion control; and agricultural data processing systems.
This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of architecture and to conduct research in various aspects of the field or that provides instruction in basic principles, methods and concepts related to architecture. These programs include courses in architectural design, history, and theory; building structures and environmental systems; project and site planning; construction; professional responsibilities and standards; and related cultural, social, economic, and environmental issues.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the application of physics principles to the scientific study of the mechanisms of biological processes and assemblies at all levels of complexity. These programs include courses in research methods and equipment operation and applications to subjects such as bioenergetics, biophysical theory and modelling, electrophysics, membrane biology, channels, receptors and transporters, contractility and muscle function, protein shaping and folding, molecular and supramolecular structures and assemblies, and computational science.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behaviour of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting oceans, coastal waters, and saltwater wetlands and their interactions with the physical environment. These programs include courses in chemical, physical, and geological oceanography; molecular, cellular, and biochemical studies; marine microbiology; marine botany; ichthyology; mammalogy; marine population dynamics and biodiversity; reproductive biology; studies of specific species, phyla, habitats, and ecosystems; marine paleoecology and paleontology; and applications to fields such as fisheries science and biotechnology.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the scientific study of unicellular organisms and colonies, and subcellular genetic matter and their ecological interactions with human beings and other life. These programs include courses in microbial genetics, cell biology, cell physiology, virology, pathogenic microbiology, environmental microbiology, immunology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and laboratory methods including microscopy.
This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on leadership skills that can be applied to a business, government, non-profit, or educational setting. These programs include courses in organizational planning, dynamics of leadership, finance, team building, conflict resolution and mediation, communication and other management skills.
There are no additional resources for this occupation.