Director, Resilience & Disaster Response

The American Institute of Architects•Washington, DC

1d•Remote

About The Position

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is seeking a Director, Resilience & Disaster Response to join their Knowledge & Practice department. This role reports to the Managing Director, Climate Action & Design Excellence and will focus on building member value and partnerships to support climate action. The Director will develop practice knowledge and education for architects, disseminate resources related to resilience, climate adaptation, hazard and disaster mitigation, and planning in the built environment. This may involve facilitation, presentation, or representation at various conferences and industry events. The position also mobilizes member expertise for AIA's advocacy, policy, codes, and standards efforts. Additionally, the Director will contribute to communications messaging on climate resilience and adaptation for AIA leadership, in conjunction with the Marketing and Communications team and other senior members of the Climate Action and Design Excellence team.

Requirements

Knowledge and proficiency in resilience, climate adaptation, and sustainability within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector.
Proven experience leading national-level initiatives, ideally in interdisciplinary or policy-driven environments.
Understanding of climate adaptation and resilience design for the built environment, climate and building science, real estate development, equitable communities, and building-scale resilience.
Experience directing multiple programs and prioritizing responsibilities independently in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to use independent initiative and sound judgment to complete complex projects on or before deadlines.
Exceptional collaboration skills and ability to work within a changing environment with multiple stakeholders.
Flexibility, dependability and professional communication skills.
Experience working independently and using initiative and independent judgment to complete complex projects on or before deadlines and within budget; and to evaluate and assess completed projects against strategic goals and metrics.
Skill in facilitating and managing volunteer leaders and identifying and developing opportunities for outreach to member groups, internal and external stakeholders, and underrepresented audiences.
Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated experience writing marketing materials, reports, manuals, articles and correspondence for diverse audiences.
Demonstrated experience analyzing complex subjects quickly, researching and providing logical presentations.
Ability to package and coordinate multiple products and services and present them in a cohesive whole.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Teams and knowledge of Internet research methods.
Bachelors, graduate or professional degree in Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Sustainable Business, or related field desired with a minimum of 8 years of related experience.
Ability to travel is a must.

Nice To Haves

Experience coalition-building with federal agencies, nonprofits, industry leaders, and academic partners preferred.
Experience in AEC firm, AEC industry organization or association, or governmental agency preferred.
Graphic, web, marketing and educational skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

Identifying topics to offer value to AIA’s members and developing and implementing programs and events to promote resilience, hazard assessment, disaster planning and preparedness, climate adaptation, and public processes.
Directing education and member engagement activities related to resilience, climate adaptation, historic preservation, and building performance in partnership with AIA member groups.
Positioning resilience as a core pillar of AIA’s climate action and equity agendas and promoting the integration of resilience, disaster assistance and climate adaptation into the Framework for Design Excellence, the 2030 Commitment, and the A&D Materials Pledge.
Serving as a primary point of contact for disaster response and recovery efforts, and disaster assistance training programs coordinating partners and evaluating content for impact.
Building program synergy and capacity to apply member knowledge and expertise on resilience and disaster risk reduction for communities.
Leading cross-team collaboration, and facilitating team members, AIA colleagues, AIA member leaders, and external industry organizations to develop and carry out programs, as well as evaluate and assess programs to meet strategic goals.
Managing regular program and project budget reporting and updates.
Identifying opportunities for revenue generation and sponsorship and carrying out sponsorship fulfillment for programs under purview.
Direct management of AIA member working groups and networks, including Resilience and Disaster Response Advisory Group, Resilience Network, and others as assigned.
Recruiting and cultivating strong relationships with member chairs and leaders, developing agendas and facilitating meetings, and advising as subject matter expert on key work products to implement overall Climate Action & Design Excellence programs and strategy.
Advancing AIA’s thought leadership and subject matter expertise through contributing to speaking, writing, and representing AIA in industry forums.
Directing the dissemination of programs, projects, and resources in areas of responsibility to reach the widest possible audiences through AIA platforms such as AIA Conference on Architecture and other national and component conferences, AIAU, and AIA.org.
Working in collaboration with AIA Knowledge & Practice team members to equip members at each career stage with the tools necessary for success, and to run a profitable and prosperous practice while advancing climate change mitigation, adaptation, and equity through design.
Working with Government Affairs & Public Policy team to engage members to provide review, input, expertise, and participation in climate action policy, advocacy, and collaborative industry initiatives.
In collaboration with Component Engagement Team, sharing resources and expertise on climate resilience and adaptation in design, hazard assessment, and disaster preparedness and mitigation.
Developing and facilitating meaningful member engagement in the development and promotion of resilience and disaster education, tools, and resources for various audiences.
Serving as a point of contact on resilience, climate adaptation, building performance, and historic preservation, and as an internal and external Institute advisor on relevant issues.
Providing subject matter guidance to the Advocacy team with related national model code and policy research and communications related to resilience, disaster assistance, and emergency response concerns to advance resilience planning and disaster mitigation.
Providing subject matter guidance and external coordination with federal agencies and industry organizations developing research, metrics and rating systems.
Researching and sharing data, knowledge and program communications for dissemination to various AIA committees and stakeholders.
Annually updating the AIA Emergency Operations Center (EOC) protocol and providing necessary internal education to prepare staff for disaster response.
Directing and developing communications, and program delivery systems including regular updates to relevant web pages, social media sites, and Community Hub networks; leading collaboration with the AIA Marketing and Communications team to integrate the AIA brand throughout all resilience and climate adaptation activities and promote media coverage at the national and component levels.
Maintaining a comprehensive clearinghouse of information and resources on assigned issue and program areas.
Responding to information requests from AIA members, AIA components, and the public on resilience and climate adaptation activities and issues.
Elevating the visibility and value proposition of resilience and disaster-related programs for AIA members and communities.

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