Sr. Director, State & Local Affairs

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)

AIA will provide you with the opportunity to advocate for the value of architecture and give architects and design professionals the resources they need to do their best work. The collective voice of architects is essential, and our work drives positive change through the power of design.

Each one of us at AIA is a leader committed to demonstrating our mission and values and designing a better future for our country and planet. Even in times of change, AIA's values remain constant:

• We stand for equity and human rights
• We stand for architecture that strengthens our communities
• We stand for a sustainable future
• We stand for protecting communities from the impacts of climate change
• We stand for economic opportunity
• We stand for investing in the future
• We speak up, and policymakers listen

The American Institute of Architects, as part of the global community, is building a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the profession of architecture to create a better built environment for all. Achieving this vision has a direct impact on the relevance of the profession of architecture and the world's prosperity, health, and future.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief Advocacy Officer (CAO), the Sr. Director is responsible for developing and implementing long-term strategy for increasing AIA's State and Local Advocacy through member engagement with regards to advocacy, training, legislative tracking and strategic communications. Critical to the success of the Senior Director will be active and thorough engagement with state and local components. This includes serving as the primary point of contact with AIA components and oversight of AIA's grassroots engagement programs, advocacy training, coordinating with components to develop joint campaigns, and crafting issue and advocacy materials for state and local component use.

Job Duties:

• Manage the development and implementation of strategies to increase AIA member involvement in issue campaign advocacy at the state and local levels of government. A fundamental piece of AIA's success is to ensure full collaboration with AIA's components and their teams.
• Lead state and local advocacy efforts, including staff management, project assignments, strategic plan progress, time allocation, and performance reviews.
• Advise, manage and engage components on a full upgrade/update to the current AIA digital forum for conversation and story sharing.
• Advises on and plans for the appropriate digital resources needed by this team and their state counterparts.
• Develop, and strategically manage advocacy and state and local issue campaigns (as well as administer and manage the state and local advocacy team budget), strategic planning, advocacy programs, and products.
• Develop and implement strategies and manage programs to increase AIA members' engagement at continually increasing activity levels.
• Collaborate with Advocacy Team, and AIA Knowledge Communities (as well as all internal departments) to ensure consistency in messaging and thorough and well-informed conversations and to ensure adherence to ensure member engagement in advancing AIA's federal legislative agenda.
• Work closely with the Member and Component Engagement and the Marketing & Communications Teams to ensure coordination and marketing of member engagement and success stories with policymakers.
• Directs advocacy communications and member engagement activities with public and AIA components and groups related to codes and standards and state, local, and federal to keep members informed and engaged about AIA's advocacy activities.
• Frequently works with and responds to volunteer leaders and members (task forces, advisory groups, and working groups).
• Collaborates with other AIA teams and constituencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Frequent Contacts:

• AIA Board of Directors
• AIA Strategic Council
• AIA National Leadership and Staff
• AIA Government Advocacy Committee
• AIA Committee on Codes and Standards
• AIA State and local AIA component directors, staff, and members
• State and Local Advocacy Consultants and vendors
• Grassroots and Grasstops 3^rd party allies

Qualifications

• Proven knowledge of the American political system and grassroots/member engagement strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in leading change through vision and innovation, driving results, anticipating challenges and identifying solutions.
• Experience building a departmental culture of collaborative teamwork, exhibit strong leadership/mentor skills, employ analytical thinking, and effectively use diplomacy to work with a diverse membership and staff, volunteer leaders, and allied organizations.
• Experienced advocacy trainer with keen knowledge of policy issues and advocacy engagement techniques and mechanisms to inspire member activity and enhance their government affairs engagement.
• Demonstrated skill in designing and implementing cross-team advocacy and engagement.
• Advanced communication skills (written and verbal). Demonstrated experience in working closely with high-profile organization members and political leaders. Ability to successfully lead multiple priorities and responsibilities simultaneously.
• Campaign and/or field organizing experience is not mandatory but preferred.

Bachelor's degree in public affairs, communications, political science, or related degree and/or a minimum of 10 years of government affairs, public affairs, campaign and grassroots experience in executive, legislative, corporate, non-profit, and/or private sector organizations.

Supervisory requirements:

This position oversees 1 full-time staff position

What we offer

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our company values and workplace culture, including:

• Medical, vision and dental
• 401(k)
• Flexibility
• Paid time off
• Flexible spending accounts
• Income protection (Life Insurance Coverage up to 2x salary) & disability plans at no cost.
• Tuition and membership reimbursements
• AIA employees have access to a variety of other programs, including:
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their family members
  • Computer purchase program
  • Fitness club discounts
  • Prepaid legal services program
  • Identity theft protection

Travel Requirements: approximately 20%

Work Location: 100% Remote from the AIA Approved States: DC, MD, VA, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, ME, MI, MN, MT, NH, NM, NY, NC, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, WI, WY.

Applicants from states not listed above are ineligible.

This position will periodically be required to be on-site at the AIA Headquarters in Washington, D.C when AIA returns to the newly renovated office at the completion of the renovation in Spring 2025.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, in accordance with the applicable law.