Dir, Government Affairs Programs & Communicat
About The Position
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is seeking a Director of Programs & Communications to serve as the strategic connector between Government Affairs, Communications, and AIA membership. This role is responsible for designing and executing programs that expand member participation in advocacy, strengthen AIA's government affairs communications, and build long-term engagement infrastructure that advances the organization's strategic priorities. The Director will lead Government Affairs communications and member engagement initiatives, ensuring policy expertise is effectively translated into compelling communications, advocacy campaigns, leadership programming, and volunteer engagement opportunities. This position works across departments to cultivate a national community of architect advocates while supporting the execution of Government Affairs priorities through strategic communications, project management, and organizational collaboration.
Requirements
- Demonstrated experience developing communications strategies, advocacy campaigns, or member engagement programs.
- Strong understanding of government affairs, public policy, advocacy, or political communications.
- Experience managing cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships across departments and with volunteer leaders.
- Experience developing digital engagement campaigns and member communications.
- Strong project management, organizational, and strategic planning skills.
- Ability to analyze engagement metrics and use data to improve program effectiveness.
- Excellent facilitation, collaboration, and leadership skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative workplace culture.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public policy, political science, public administration, nonprofit management, marketing, or a related field required.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with advocacy platforms such as Quorum or similar engagement systems preferred.
- A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, advocacy, communications, membership, nonprofit management, public affairs, or related fields is preferred.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, project management training, or demonstrated experience leading complex organizational initiatives is desirable.
Responsibilities
- Design and execute a national member engagement strategy that strengthens AIA's advocacy capacity by developing and managing AIA's Government Affairs Member Engagement Program, assessing advocacy capacity across components, designing a scalable ladder of member engagement, creating advocacy programs and resources, coordinating training, providing advocacy education locally, integrating advocacy participation into member engagement strategies, and measuring program effectiveness.
- Serve as the primary liaison between Government Affairs and Communications by coordinating strategic communications, providing policy expertise, collaborating on rapid-response communications, managing Government Affairs' digital presence, developing communications strategies, reviewing Government Affairs messaging, and managing Government Affairs social media strategy.
- Coordinate Government Affairs communications directly with AIA members by leading the development and execution of member-facing advocacy communications and campaigns, managing advocacy campaigns through Quorum and other platforms, coordinating action alerts and updates, reviewing Government Affairs communications, ensuring advocacy messaging accurately reflects AIA policy positions, developing communication plans for initiatives, and identifying new opportunities to engage members.
- Support Government Affairs leadership through cross-functional coordination by assisting with departmental planning, coordinating cross-departmental projects, supporting event planning, identifying operational improvements, providing flexible support on special initiatives, and assisting with onboarding and program development.
- Coordinate relationships that strengthen Government Affairs' visibility and effectiveness by serving as the principal communications liaison, building collaborative partnerships, representing Government Affairs at meetings and conferences, supporting partnerships with external organizations, and coordinating communications support for advocacy campaigns.
Benefits
- Medical and dental
- 401(k)
- Flexibility
- Paid time off
- Parental Leave
- Flexible spending accounts
- Income protection- (Life Insurance Coverage up to 2x salary) & disability plans at no cost.
- Tuition and membership reimbursements
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their family members
- Computer purchase program
- Fitness club discounts
- Prepaid legal services program
- Identity theft protection
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
