Director, Leadership Communications

The American Institute of Architects • Washington, DC

17h • $105,000 - $120,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is seeking a Director, Leadership Communications to join the Executive Office's Leadership Affairs function. This role is responsible for developing and executing strategic communications that shape how AIA's executive and volunteer leadership engages with members, the profession, and the public. The Director will serve as the primary communications advisor to AIA's CEO, President, Board of Directors, and senior volunteer leaders, ensuring their communications are clear, purposeful, and strategically aligned. This includes overseeing speeches, executive messaging, written communications, event presentations, and leadership-focused communication channels. The role translates complex institutional priorities into compelling narratives that strengthen leadership visibility, reinforce organizational goals, and advance AIA's mission, while maintaining a consistent and credible institutional voice and fostering meaningful engagement with key stakeholders.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience writing for and advising senior executives, C-suite leaders, or elected/volunteer officials.
• Experience managing or coordinating speaking engagements, large-scale event communications, or executive event production.
• Proficient written communication skills with a demonstrated portfolio of executive speeches, thought leadership content, or high-stakes institutional communications.
• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to match voice, tone, and message to diverse audiences and contexts.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate institutional priorities into compelling, accessible narratives.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills; comfortable managing multiple high-priority deliverables simultaneously.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented; skilled at working across teams and with senior stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to exercise discretion and handle sensitive information with professionalism.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field required.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, executive communications, or thought leadership, preferably within a professional association, nonprofit, or public affairs context.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with AIA, the architecture profession, or the AEC industry is a strong plus.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive leadership communications strategy for the Executive Office, aligned to AIA’s institutional priorities and the goals of the CEO, President, and Board of Directors.
• Create and manage an annual leadership communications calendar, coordinating messaging across key moments, events, and governance cycles.
• Serve as the primary communications partner for the CEO and President, developing messaging platforms, speechwriting guidance, email communications, correspondence, and executive columns.
• Develop and manage communications strategies for Board of Directors engagement, including Board correspondence, governance communications, and member-facing leadership messaging.
• Ensure that communications from AIA’s leadership reflect a consistent voice, reflect current strategic priorities, and resonate with target audiences.
• Write and edit high-quality speeches, remarks, scripts, talking points, and messaging briefs for the CEO, President, and senior volunteer leaders.
• Develop web content, member communications, op-eds, thought leadership pieces, and executive columns that advance AIA’s voice and position.
• Draft run-of-show documents, stage directions, and event scripts for AIA signature events and governance meetings.
• Commission and manage relationships with external speechwriters, communications consultants, and coaching vendors as needed; maintain quality oversight of all externally produced content.
• Integrate international affairs narratives into leadership communications, in close partnership with the Managing Director and international affairs staff.
• Lead the identification, vetting, and management of speaking opportunities for the CEO and President, aligning engagements with AIA’s strategic visibility goals.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for the AIA Conference on Architecture and other signature events, managing outreach, preparation, logistics, and coordination of the leadership schedules.
• Develop speaker briefings, preparation materials, and pre-event messaging support for AIA leadership appearing at internal and external events.
• Function as the Leadership Affairs point of contact for the Marketing & Communications department, ensuring leadership communications are integrated with AIA’s broader editorial, media, and brand strategies.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Communications and the media team to align executive messaging across channels and support strategic media placements for AIA leadership.
• Partner with the Advocacy & Relationships team to develop executive communications that support AIA’s public affairs and government relations priorities.
• Advise AIA Foundation and AIA Trust on leadership communications strategies, as appropriate.
• Support crisis communications as it relates to executive and leadership messaging, in coordination with the Managing Director and marketing leadership.
• Establish and track metrics to evaluate the reach, engagement, and effectiveness of leadership communications initiatives.
• Use data and feedback to continuously refine messaging strategies, communications channels, and content approaches.
• Maintain up-to-date awareness of trends in executive communications, association communications, and relevant policy or professional environments.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

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
• SmartBenefits transportation program, featuring up to $55 monthly in public transportation as well as pretax METRO parking
• Computer purchase program
• Fitness club discounts
• Prepaid legal services program
• Identity theft protection

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director