Director, Advancement (AF)

The American Institute of Architects•Washington, DC

19h•$115,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Advancement leads the Architects Foundation’s advancement function, encompassing development, brand, events, and rentals. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director builds a high-potential development program covering donor engagement, capital campaign engagement, stewardship, events, annual giving, and institutional partnerships. The role manages portfolios, prepares briefings and strategies, ensures follow-through, builds engagement and stewardship programs, and carries a personal portfolio. The Director will lead the Built to Last campaign to its $20 million goal and 2028 close, establish campaign infrastructure and stewardship, and launch the campaign’s public phase. The role will also build annual giving, donor circles, planned giving, major gifts, and multi-year partnerships in collaboration with AIA. Additional responsibilities include overseeing the Foundation’s brand initiative, signature events, and rental program; managing the advancement team, budget, and revenue forecast; reporting results; and representing the Foundation in architecture, design, and philanthropic communities. The position is based in Washington, DC, for candidates in the DC Metro area. The standard schedule is three days in the office or on campus and two remote days per week. Occasional evenings and Saturdays are required for donor events, signature events, and rentals, as well as occasional local or regional travel.

Requirements

At least 8 years of progressive fundraising experience, including having run a development department or function.
Advanced role in a completed capital or comprehensive campaign, with responsibility for stewardship, infrastructure, donor engagement, pipeline, and solicitation under a campaign timeline.
Experience leading a development operation with an annual fund, donor circles, donor events calendar, and engagement programs.
Experience building or growing a planned giving program, including bequests.
Experience building corporate, industry, or institutional partnerships in collaboration with a parent or allied organization.
Record of creating fundraising programs, collateral, and stewardship programs rather than only operating programs created by others.
Experience engaging executive and board leaders as active fundraising partners.
Experience managing development operations and communications staff.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work across organizations and with many stakeholders.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

Fundraising experience in a cultural, preservation, design, or mission-driven organization.
Success securing and closing five- and six-figure gifts or larger.
Ability to build relationships and cultivate new foundation and institutional funding partners.
Experience in architecture, design, preservation, or museums.
Experience leading a brand initiative, signature events program, rentals, or other earned revenue.

Responsibilities

Lead the Built to Last campaign to its $20 million goal and 2028 close, and build systems to support and sustain the campaign.
Direct campaign infrastructure, including pipeline management, gift agreements, naming opportunity inventory, and reporting to the Executive Director, Foundation Board, and campaign steering committee.
Design and direct delivery of donor stewardship, including donor reporting, recognition, hard hat tours, salon dinners at The Octagon, and signature events.
Lead campaign donor engagement, naming opportunities, and milestone events through the public phase and reopening of The Octagon.
Direct campaign collateral, proposals, and materials produced by the Sr. Manager, Development and Marketing.
Plan and launch the public phase of the campaign in coordination with the brand initiative and the second construction phase at The Octagon.
Design and operate the annual fund, including donor circles, benefit levels, cultivation and stewardship calendars, and recognition structures.
Launch and grow The 1857 Society planned giving program, and engage AIA members in annual giving and bequests.
Manage the Executive Director’s major gifts portfolio, including research, briefings, strategy, and follow-through.
Engage the Foundation Board and campaign steering committee as fundraising partners and match them with prospects they can open.
Carry a personal portfolio of major gift prospects.
Build partnerships with suppliers, manufacturers, and allied professionals in consultation with the AIA Senior Director, Business Development.
Grow foundation and institutional funding by setting proposal calendars, priorities, and cases for support.
Partner with the Sr. Manager, Development and Marketing to shape and execute communications that articulate the Foundation’s impact.
Oversee the Foundation’s brand initiative and coordinate its timing with the campaign’s public phase and reopening of The Octagon.
Manage the Foundation’s signature events calendar, including the reopening of The Octagon, in coordination with the Director, Education and Public Programs.
Build and manage The Octagon rental program as a source of earned revenue, coordinating with AIA staff and the Director, Curatorial Affairs.
Manage the Sr. Manager, Development and Marketing and the contract campaign manager, and collaborate with consultants, contractors, interns, and volunteers.
Manage the advancement budget and revenue forecast, including rental revenue, and report results to the Executive Director and Foundation Board.
Partner with the Executive Director on board engagement and the Steering Committee’s fundraising work.
Use the Foundation’s impact measures in donor reporting, cases for support, and campaign communications.
Represent the Foundation within the architecture, design, and philanthropic communities.