Director, State & Local Affairs

The American Institute of Architects•Washington, DC

1d•$115,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, State and Local Affairs develops and executes assigned state and local advocacy initiatives, supports AIA components on legislative and regulatory matters, and strengthens communications and engagement across AIA’s government affairs network. Reporting to the Senior Director, State and Local Affairs, the Director independently manages legislative research, advocacy resource development, component engagement, programming, and communications initiatives established by the Senior Director. The role develops and maintains practical state and local advocacy programs and resources that help AIA components respond to legislative and regulatory challenges. The Director works with component executives, state and local government affairs professionals, and volunteer leaders to identify resource needs, promote policy toolkits, develop materials, and guide adaptation of national resources to state and local jurisdictions. The position supports component-led advocacy through research, model materials, strategic consultation, training, and coordination; it is not the primary lobbyist for state or local components. The Director also recommends program strategy and significant policy matters and strengthens advocacy communications in partnership with the Director of Programs and Communications. The role includes managing advocacy toolkits and legislative research; supporting components with policy analysis and technical assistance; coordinating advocacy communications and digital engagement; planning and delivering training, roundtables, webinars, and other programs; and managing projects, documentation, performance measures, and reporting. The position is hybrid in the Washington, DC metro area (DC, Maryland, or Virginia) and periodically requires on-site work at AIA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Travel is 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, government affairs, communications, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in legislative affairs, government relations, advocacy, association management, public policy, or related fields.
Demonstrated legislative research, policy analysis, and advocacy project management experience.
Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to translate complex policy matters into practical, accessible resources.
Experience developing member communications, newsletters, digital content, or advocacy engagement materials.
Demonstrated ability to independently manage substantive projects, coordinate stakeholders, and deliver measurable results.
Experience providing legislative or advocacy support to member organizations, volunteer leaders, or external partners.
Strong presentation, facilitation, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
Ability to balance multiple priorities and work independently within established organizational objectives.
Work location is hybrid in the Washington, DC metro area only (DC, MD, or VA), with periodic on-site work at AIA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Travel requirement is 10%.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing advocacy toolkits, policy guides, model legislative materials, educational resources, or comparable products.
Experience using legislative tracking, advocacy, digital communications, or association engagement platforms.
Experience working with professional associations, federated organizations, or state and local advocacy networks.
Familiarity with architecture, design, construction, professional licensure, or built environment policy.

Responsibilities

Manage research, drafting, development, maintenance, and distribution of state and local advocacy toolkits and related resources, including model legislation, testimony, policy briefs, talking points, sample letters, communications templates, coalition strategies, and jurisdiction-specific guidance.
Identify opportunities for new toolkits and improvements to existing resources based on legislative developments, multistate trends, component needs, and stakeholder feedback.
Maintain an organized inventory and review schedule for advocacy resources, coordinating updates to ensure accuracy and consistency with AIA policy.
Promote advocacy resources across AIA’s component network through direct engagement, newsletters, the Government Affairs Forum, webinars, and roundtables.
Guide and train components in adapting and deploying resources based on legislative priorities and local circumstances.
Track toolkit utilization, adoption, feedback, and advocacy outcomes; coordinate expertise and prepare major policy resources for Senior Director review and approval.
Monitor and analyze state and local legislative and regulatory developments affecting the architectural profession using legislative tracking software and other appropriate sources.
Manage assigned policy and advocacy initiatives, including research, legislative analysis, policy recommendations, and supporting materials; elevate significant recommendations and strategic decisions to the Senior Director.
Identify emerging legislative threats, opportunities, and multistate trends warranting further analysis or coordinated resources.
Maintain relationships with component executives and staff, government affairs professionals, volunteer advocacy leaders, and advocacy committees, providing research, strategic guidance, and technical assistance.
Support component-led advocacy with policy research, model materials, campaign guidance, and coordination with components or coalition partners.
Coordinate with the Senior Director and GAPP colleagues to connect federal, state, and local policy developments and identify consistent advocacy guidance.
Manage state and local advocacy communications with the Director of Programs and Communications, ensuring timely and consistent messaging across appropriate channels.
Manage the annual State and Local Affairs communications calendar, coordinating content, editorial deadlines, and distribution.
Coordinate and edit the Government Affairs Forum newsletter, state and local contributions to Component Update, and other assigned communications.
Develop written and digital content that makes legislative developments, policy issues, advocacy resources, and accomplishments accessible and actionable for members and components.
Promote successful component advocacy initiatives through case studies, profiles, interviews, and other communications.
Manage state and local content and engagement in the Government Affairs Forum, Higher Logic community, and related platforms, including resource organization and information sharing.
Collaborate on editorial planning, content distribution, digital engagement, and performance measurement while following AIA policy and approval requirements.
Manage the annual State and Local Affairs programming calendar, subject to Senior Director approval, and oversee planning, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of roundtables, webinars, training, workshops, and other programs.
Support planning and delivery of the Government Affairs Forum Summit, State and Local Government Affairs Task Forces, and other major convenings, managing assigned programs and workstreams.
Develop and deliver educational programming to strengthen component advocacy capacity, encourage information sharing, and address emerging issues.
Build and maintain relationships with assigned coalition partners, industry associations, and government affairs stakeholders to exchange policy intelligence and coordinate resources.
Collaborate with the Director of Programs and Communications and GAPP colleagues to align programming with departmental initiatives and member engagement objectives.
Manage assigned initiatives by establishing project plans, timelines, deliverables, and performance measures; maintain legislative tracking, project documentation, engagement records, and program data using Quorum, Fonteva, Higher Logic, and other systems.
Contribute to quarterly and annual reports on legislative developments, toolkit development and adoption, component engagement, program accomplishments, and outcomes.
Participate in departmental planning, recommend program improvements, and work with the Senior Director to establish priorities and allocate resources.
Manage intake and triage of component requests, coordinate timely responses, and maintain procedures, templates, and documentation.
Coordinate department meetings, logistics, timelines, registration, stakeholder communications, and follow-up using appropriate platforms.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical and dental coverage
401(k)
Flexibility
Paid time off
Parental leave
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance coverage up to 2x salary
Disability plans at no cost
Tuition and membership reimbursements
Employee Assistance Program for employees and family members
SmartBenefits transportation program, including up to $55 monthly in public transportation and pretax METRO parking
Computer purchase program
Fitness club discounts
Prepaid legal services program
Identity theft protection