Manager, Climate Action & Design Excellence

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) 

AIA will provide you with the opportunity to advocate for the value of architecture and give architects and design professionals the resources they need to do their best work. The collective voice of architects is essential and our work drives positive change through the power of design.  

Each one of us at AIA is a leader committed to demonstrating our mission and values, and designing a better future for our country and planet. Even in times of change, AIA’s values remain constant:

• We stand for equity and human rights
• We stand for architecture that strengthens our communities
• We stand for a sustainable future
• We stand for protecting communities from the impacts of climate change
• We stand for economic opportunity
• We stand for investing in the future
• We speak up, and policymakers listen

The American Institute of Architects, as part of the global community, is building a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the profession of architecture to create a better built environment for all. Achieving this vision has a direct impact on the relevance of the profession of architecture and the world's prosperity, health, and future.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Climate Action and Design Excellence, the manager is responsible for equipping AIA members with the tools necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public amid challenges for design to mitigate and adapt to climate change and address social inequity in the built environment. The Manager works with internal staff teams, volunteer leaders, member networks, and external stakeholders to develop and disseminate knowledge and education for architects to transform day to day practice to achieve design excellence outcomes for a zero carbon, resilient, equitable, and healthy built environment. This role will serve as a resource for external and internal AIA coordination including but not limited to advocacy, policy and industry organization relationships, marketing, communications, component relations, and continuing education. 

The Manager is responsible for programmatic and project planning and resource management in collaboration with staff teams and volunteer leaders. Daily activities include facilitating member education and knowledge sharing to integrate sustainability and resilience into design practice and culture.  Additional responsibilities include acting as a liaison for volunteer leadership and keeping up to date with activities for staff resource and budget allocation, facilitating AIA policies and guidelines. This role is also responsible for coordination of opportunities and engagement for Climate Action and Design Excellence programs with AIA components, allied organizations, and other internal and external stakeholders.

Job Duties

Responsible for program management for AIA’s strategic goals for climate action to position architects as community leaders to drive widescale adoption of practical design solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change to achieve a zero-carbon, equitable, healthy, and resilient built environment.

Program Management

• Manage various member working groups, including but not limited to Committee on the Environment (COTE^©).  Also help with overall project management, coordination and collaboration between the Climate Action Team and all Climate Action member groups (HRC, Historic Resources Committee, RADR, Resilience and Disaster Response, 2030 and Materials Working Group, etc.)
• Contribute to the development and execution of AIA programs, knowledge resources, education, and events to promote climate action and design excellence. Work may include aspects of content development, volunteer management, budget management, event planning, communications and marketing, and knowledge delivery via print and electronic means. 
• Manage widespread dissemination and delivery of knowledge resources through AIA’s website, communications, AIAU education platform, Conference on Architecture, networks, member groups, and AIA components.
• Monitors developments within the architecture and non-profit management professions to develop and recommend effective new programs, products and services in support of the AIA’s overall strategic initiatives.  
• Identifies and facilitates opportunities for cooperation, and optimal cross-function within the Institute, such as collaboration among Knowledge Communities, with local/state components and other Institute program areas and special initiatives.
• Assists other staff and volunteer leadership to develop program content ideas.  
• Develops, monitors, and reports on all projects from a programmatic and budget perspective.
• Leads program evaluation efforts with project teams, and volunteer leaders, and facilitates efforts to improve program delivery.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and as needed.
   

Member Engagement 

• Manages and Support member working groups, including but not limited to and Committee on the Environment (COTE^©). Duties include coordinating agendas, advising on and guiding key work products, and seeking opportunities for collaboration and mutual support to achieve overall goals for Climate Action and Design Excellence.
• Develops and maintains highly effective relationships with volunteer and staff leaders affiliated with their programs and activities.  
• Duties include effective management of volunteer member time, efficiency and needed input and expertise toward Institute’s goals. 
• Actively identifies and recruits diverse, volunteer leaders through AIA.
• Develops outreach efforts for programs to serve diversity efforts, and to reach targeted areas of membership, such as emerging professionals, educators, and students.
• Identifies and supports members that will serve as subject matter experts for speaking, writing, and representing AIA in industry forums.

Communications

• Coordinates knowledge capture, delivery and overall project management of all Climate Action and Design Excellence programs working with various internal staff.
• Serve as a point of contact on resilience, climate adaptation, building reuse, and building performance. Serve as an internal Institute spokesperson and/or advisor on relevant issues.
• Provides and shares data, knowledge and program communications for dissemination to the following groups:
  • Climate Action Knowledge Communities (COTE, HRC, etc) and Board Committees (Committee on Climate Action and Design Excellence (CCADE))
  • Climate Action Member Groups and Working Groups (Resilience and Disaster Response Committee (RADR) and Pledge Programs)
  • Climate Action Networks (COTE, Resilience, State Disaster Coordinator, Codes Advocacy Network, State & Local Government Network), 
  • and other AIA departments, stakeholders, and AIA Components as required.  
• Maintains a comprehensive clearinghouse of information and resources (e.g., statistics, background on past activity, new research, case studies, articles, etc.) on assigned issue and program areas.
• Identifies opportunities for sponsorship, and manages contacts with sponsors, in collaboration with Strategic Partnership and Business Development department.
• Responds to information requests from AIA members, AIA components, and the general public on AIA’s climate action and design excellence programs.

Frequent contacts: 

• AIA members and volunteer groups for the above-listed Knowledge Communities, member and working groups, and networks
• Consultants and vendors
• Current and potential sponsors
• Community leaders 
• Related professional organizations and associations   
• AIA National and Component staff including Advocacy & Relationships; Knowledge & Practice; Marketing & Communications; and Technology

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation issues and design practices for sustainability and resilience. 
• Demonstrated belief in equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in marketing and communication materials and content development.
• Established volunteer engagement and management track record.
• Ability to work within a collaborative team environment, and influence and engage diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Ability to build long-term and trust-based relationships.
• Strong project management skills with experience of completing projects on time and on budget 
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills

• Skill in collaborative problem solving, conflict resolution, and systems/process development.  
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office, including competence in Word, Excel and Outlook.  
• Ability to coordinate a diverse shared resource pool.

Bachelor’s Degree; Liberal Arts, Business, Architecture or related fields, with minimum 4-5 years of project management experience.

Supervisory:
N/A

What we offer: 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our company values and workplace culture, including:

• Medical, vision and dental
• 401(k)
• Flexibility
• Paid time off
• Flexible spending accounts
• Income protection (Life Insurance Coverage up to 2x salary) & disability plans at no cost.
• Tuition and membership reimbursements
• AIA employees have access to a variety of other programs, including:
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their family members
  •  Computer purchase program
  • Fitness club discounts
  • Prepaid legal services program
  • Identity theft protection

Location:

 100% Remote from the AIA Approved States : DC, MD, VA, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, ME, MI, MN, MT, NH, NM, NY, NC, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, WI, WY
 
 Applicants in states not listed above are ineligible.

This position will periodically be required to be on-site at the AIA Headquarters in Washington, D.C after the completion of the building renovation in Spring 2025.

Travel Requirements:

Minimal

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, in accordance with the applicable law.