Director, Climate Action Pledge Programs

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

Job Summary:

This is a professional managerial position in the Climate Action & Design Excellence department reporting to the Managing Director, Climate Action & Design Excellence. The Director works with internal and external stakeholders to develop and manage engagement and knowledge programs that advance and implement AIA's climate action and design excellence goals to transform day-to-day practice to achieve outcomes for a zero carbon, resilient, equitable, and healthy built environment.

The Director provides leadership on increasing direct member engagement with AIA climate action pledge programs and reporting platform for members and firms and related educational tools, resources, metrics, and program reporting.

Job Duties:

Content and program development

• Lead identification and assessment of unmet knowledge and/or engagement needs of various member constituents in AIA pledge programs and align efforts to address them in context of the Climate Action and Design Excellence and Knowledge and Practice portfolio.
• Work with Managing Director, and Marketing and Communications team members to ensure alignment of content & product development messaging/marketing with overall communications program developed for the Climate Action and Design Excellence Team.
• Develop, lead and serve as primary point of contact to communicate technical subject matter requirements to AIA DDx reporting platform, as well as technical support, outreach and promotion, education resources, and events for implementation of climate action pledge programs. Work may include aspects of content development, volunteer leadership, budget management, event planning, and knowledge delivery via print and electronic means, communications, and marketing.
• Manage AIA's 2030 Commitment Design Data Exchange (DDX) ongoing maintenance and future development process by communicating member feedback and data insights with Technology team.
• Manage and prioritize user needs for DDx enhancements and test features to ensure they meet business unit requirements. Recommend new features and products to enhance customer satisfaction, program success toward overall organization goals for member engagement and climate action strategic priorities.
• Manage various member working groups to identify and scope recommendations for application enhancements. Groups include the DDx, education and communications sub-groups of the 2030 Commitment Working Group, and the Materials Pledge Working Group.
• Monitor product performance and recommend improvements based on available metrics, usage reports, and user feedback.
• Develop strategies and program planning to expand member and firm engagement in AIA's climate action pledges and commitments, including the AIA 2030 Commitment and the Architecture & Design Materials Pledge.
• In concert with the Managing Director, Climate Action and Design Excellence, and Manager, Climate Action Pledge Programs, develop and manage the business plan and strategy for the 2030 Commitment and Materials Pledge and related DDx platform. This includes future direction of how the DDx transforms into a project benchmarking tool to develop industry leadership and allied organization collaboration, revenue potential, member value and data utilization.
• Lead development of climate action pledge program reports, including data analytics, charts, related presentations, and management of projects through marketing and graphic layout in collaboration with Manager, Climate Action Pledge Programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Member, firm, and component engagement

• Benchmark and increase indicators of adoption and implementation of AIA climate action pledge programs, such as numbers of pledge signatories and reporting firms, progress toward benchmarks, and saturation of firms sizes, regional coverage, and building type and sector.
• Collaboration with Component Relations, Research & Practice, and Knowledge Communities teams to develop and execute outreach and engagement with components, member practice, career, and affinity groups, Knowledge Communities, and architectural firms to promote climate action pledge programs, resources, and metrics.
• Effectively manage volunteer member time, efficiency and needed input and expertise toward Institute's goals. Actively identify and recruit diverse, volunteer leaders through AIA.
• Identify business opportunities to engage new partners and sponsors, to deliver value to AIA and its members. Work closely with team, Managing Director, Business Development, and Advocacy & Relationships team to initiate, develop, maintain, and enhance collaborative relationships with industry partners, sponsors, and allied industry organizations.
• Monitor climate action engagement programs for effectiveness and recommend improvements based on available data and user feedback.
• Participate with Large Firm Roundtable Sustainable Leaders Group and Small Firm Exchange, as requested, to promote and report on climate action pledge programs, and for program outreach and feedback on reporting requirements and DDx platform.
• Other duties as assigned.

Collaboration and communication

• Coordinate climate action pledge program goals, data, and calls to action to various AIA departments to optimize use of program data for advocacy and policy, and industry relationships, AIA thought leadership and design profession impacts.
• Provide oversight to Manager, Climate Action Pledge Programs and shared staff resources, including collaborations beyond the Climate Action and Design Excellence team. Along with all team members, represent AIA climate action initiative and programs as needed to external audiences.
• Provide day-to-day management for project consultants or vendors when services cannot be procured in-house.
• Along with all team members, respond to information requests as a subject matter expert from AIA's members, components, media relations team and the general public on issues of design practice excellence toward a zero carbon, resilient, equitable and healthy built environment and communities.
• In collaboration with Marketing and Communications and Component Relations teams, create strategic engagement plan for climate action pledge programs including component outreach, communications, social media, newsletters and multimedia, and opportunities for visibility and promotion at AIA Conference on Architecture, and other national and component conferences. This includes coordination with Technology, AIA Architect, and Architect content teams.
• Generate member-driven content and messages to support various audiences, including: components, AEC industry, partner organizations, policy makers, and the public.
• Identify and execute collaboration with other associations and organizations including U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Architecture 2030, Structural Engineers Institute, International Living Future Institute, Carbon Leadership Forum, Large Firm Roundtable and similar organizations on climate action pledge programs, outreach and promotion, and dissemination of thought leadership on design metrics and outcomes toward zero-carbon, resilience, equitable and healthy built environments.
• Lead and collaborate with staff teams, consultants, or member groups as assigned.
• Respond to internal and external member requests related to decarbonization and holistic healthy and sustainable materials selection, and intersectional issues with resilience and equity.
• Other duties as assigned.

Frequent contacts:

• AIA members and volunteer groups.
• Consultants and vendors.
• Allied AEC organizations including: Architecture 2030, US Green Building Council, US Department of Energy, and others listed above.
• Current and potential sponsors.
• AIA National and Component staff including Advocacy & Relationships; Marketing & Communications; Knowledge & Practice; Sales, Events & Exhibitions; and Technology.

Qualifications:

Outstanding written and oral communication skills, active listening and organizational skills. Experience in project management and managing multiple complex priorities and non-routine responsibilities. Flexibility, creativity, and high energy are a must.

Ability to work independently, using initiative and sound judgment to complete complex projects on or before deadlines. Skill in cross-team project facilitation, team building, collaborative problem solving, conflict resolution, and systems/process development. Skill in negotiation and active listening. Considerable skill in needs assessment and defining/designing projects. Considerable knowledge of and skill in monitoring costs, quality and on-time performance of project activities using standard project management techniques. Demonstrated ability to anticipate internal organizational challenges and issues; recommend processes, product or service improvements. Ability to coordinate a diverse resource pool, to interact effectively in an individual membership environment, recognize and identify member concerns, analyze issues and concepts to correctly state a problem and develop recommended solutions. Outstanding service orientation and superior organizational skills. Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks proficiently. Success in prioritizing duties, retrieving information, tracking projects and maintaining schedules. Ability to work efficiently and effectively under strict procedural and time constraints. Ability to maintain confidential information.

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Project, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and knowledge of Internet research methods a must. Experience with content management systems and association management systems a plus.

Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts, English, Architecture, Communications, Sustainability or related field and a minimum of 8 years experience required. Specific, applicable and demonstrated project management experience and/or education are a must. Experience working in an association a plus.

Supervisory Requirements: Direct supervision to Manager, Climate Action Pledge Programs. Dotted line supervision to Manager, Climate Action and Design Excellence. Work with consultants as needed.

Collaborates with shared team resources across the Knowledge & Practice team, as well as shared resources of Web-designers, Graphic Designers, Marketing and Media Relations Staff, Meeting Planners, and others.

What we offer

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

* Medical 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

Travel Requirements: 5%

Work 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

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.