So You've Been Acquired By Stantec... - Project Architect Stantec Employee Review

2.0
20 June 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

In general, Stantec's message to new acquisitions is, "If you're doing something that works well, don't change it." If you are in a position below the Project Manager level, this is largely true. Your company was acquired for what it is already doing well, and in general Stantec does not step in to change your project delivery processes. Upon my company's acquisition, there was not an immediate round of layoffs and/or house-cleaning. (although it eventually happened to some people...) Like any company, there are plenty of great people to work with if you seek them out.

Cons

Stantec is singularly focused on acquisitions and how to plug new companies into their existing framework - there is little to no focus on organic growth and/or how to improve the way things are done. They are not a known entity in the Buildings industry, so you'll spend a lot of time explaining to clients who Stantec is and what they do. If just acquired, you are about to become part of a "Business Center" (formerly called a "Profit Center"), in which Oracle data is king. For any Project Manager or above who might be reading this, your world is about to get turned upside down. For everyone else, you will mostly just experience a laser focus on your utilization rate and completing timesheets on time, due to the manner in which Stantec recognizes revenue/profit. IT and HR support will become more impersonal and less helpful, and your local IT/HR support might be replaced by remote support. Your internet speed will probably get slower and web browsing will become restricted (so long, Youtube software tutorials). In my experience, Stantec noticeably lagged the DC market in terms of salaries, and the benefits were not as good as I'd expect from such a large company. Bonuses occur at an odd time of year relative to other firms and are tied to the performance of the entire corporation, not just the success of your projects, office, or even your whole business line.

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5.0
7 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Excellent for growth and career advancement

Cons

No bonuses and efficient management of work

2.0
15 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Hybrid Work and access to useful engineering tools

Cons

Projects are inconsistent in organization and structure (some good some bad). High (and strict) utilization requirements of >93% for entry level and mid level engineers results in overtime with overlapping work loads to avoid any downtime between projects. No development or mentorship strategy around work assignments, the main goal is to keep utilization up. Stantec has been very focused on cutting costs by offshoring, limiting conference attendance, reducing volunteer hours, no tuition reimbursement, multiple layers of approvals to attend in-office CPR training, etc. Very corporate environment and top heavy management with over 240+ “Vice Presidents” currently at the company. Difficult to get raises/promotions besides annual raise. Typical raise is ~3-5% with a good review depending on where your current salary is in relation to the pay range for your career level.

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