Sr. Manager, Awards

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 Senior Director, Governance & Awards, the Senior Manager of Awards is responsible for working with staff across the organization to support the continued innovation and growth of AIA awards while still embodying AIA’s core values that exemplify our award program.  The Senior Manager is responsible for supporting the transformation of AIA’s awards program by strategically aligning the operational management of AIA’s awards portfolio across AIA through a matrixed approach. This role requires the senior manager to be collaborative, innovative, and consensus-building, with the ability to work seamlessly with volunteer leaders and staff.

Job Duties

Program management & strategic planning

• Participates in the delivery of strategic planning to continue elevating the efficiency and long-term viability of the different programs.
• Support the AIA’s awards program by strategically aligning the operational management of AIA’s awards portfolio across AIA through a matrixed approach.
• Oversee the management and cross-functional planning for the awards cycle, including submission deadlines, jury meetings, and announcements.
• Develop and maintain AIA wards application process for all awards and ensure a positive user experience, reduce bias, and eliminate barriers to success.
• Collect and analyze award submissions to maintain reporting records.
• Amplify the impact of AIA’s awards recognition by conducting ongoing audits to ensure awards align with the organization's mission and vision, eliminate competing and duplicative awards, and recommend new awards to enhance AIA’s awards portfolio.
• Assist with preparing the Award's annual budget and monitor its use across the department.
• Lead effort to codify all processes and procedures for awards programs to ensure equity and fairness.
• Serve as point of contact for award recipients to provide direction and coordination for the awards recognition elements, including associated events, logistics, set-up, procuring award citations, equipment, and exhibit materials.
• Serve as the primary contact for awards event coordination, recognition, and planning at the awards events at the Annual Conference.
• Supports the Senior Director's collaboration with the General Counsel to ensure applications and candidates adhere to AIA governing documents, Code of Ethics, and applicable awards eligibility.
• Provide extensive customer service to applicants throughout the awards cycle; serve as the expert on application requirements programs listed above.
• Under the leadership of the Sr. Director, work closely with AIA Board of Directors to continually improve AIA’s awards program.
• Plan meetings for virtual and in-person jury deliberations, including arrangements for travel, hotel, meeting room space, catering, audiovisual, and virtual meeting platforms; coordinate with the centralized Meetings function as needed.
• Prepare and process payment vouchers, department invoices, and jury travel reimbursements. Assist the Sr. Director with the preparation of the annual Awards budget.
• Other duties as assigned.

Volunteer management & training

• Educate jury chairs and juries about AIA goals, requirements, and Framework for Design Excellence measures.
• Lead work to incorporate equity principles and transparency across all AIA Awards programs, including juries, jury selection, and deliberations.
• Advise jury chairs and jurors of the Award programs of their role in the jury process and establish procedures and best practices for jury deliberations.
• Develop evaluation materials, jury handbook, training webinar and best practices for juries.
• Oversee the jury meeting process for assigned awards programs, including assisting the jury chair to ensure submissions receive objective and fair evaluation based on award criteria.  
• Develop clear, concise, and appropriate resources (e.g., FAQs, webinars, etc.) to assist award submitters and jurors and ensure a positive experience.
• Facilitate the jury deliberation process for assigned awards programs, including assisting the jury chair to ensure submissions receive objective and fair evaluation based on award criteria. This includes all follow-up necessary to promote the recipients.

Marketing & communications

• Manage contractual agreements and relationships with copywriters for awards pages.
• Coordinate with Brand & Operations functions for marketing and communications efforts related to Awards.
• Act as web content manager for related Awards web pages and assets, including project profiles, calls for entry, FAQs, online submission materials, and announcements.
• Manage digital submission platforms (OpenWater) for awards, as well as providing support for other programs.
• Correspond with award recipients to provide direction and coordination for the awards announcement and recognition, including digital asset production, award citations, events, logistics, set-up, equipment, and exhibit materials.
• Record and edit jury comments for inclusion in award content.
• Produce citations/certificates for award recipients, including ordering, tracking, payment processing, proof review, and distribution. Correspond with award recipients throughout.  

Frequent contacts

AIA Staff
AIA Membership
Jurors
Award nominees and recipients
Award sponsors, legal counsel
Architecture firms/firm marketing departments
Knowledge Community Leadership Groups

Qualifications

• Outstanding customer service orientation and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and detailed orientation is a must.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and digital submission management software knowledge strongly preferred.
• Experience with association management databases a plus.
• Ability to interface effectively with high-level constituents.
• Ability to quickly learn and understand the rules and regulations governing the awards programs. Must be able to confidently provide guidance to entrants and direct the jurors tactfully and judiciously. 
  
  Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 8 years of related project support experience in a customer service environment. 

Supervisory Requirements: None

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                 N/A

Work Location                            100% Remote from the Washington DC area:  DC, MD & VA

Applicants from states not listed above are ineligible.

All AIA employees in the DC metro area are currently working remotely during our office renovation. Employees in the DC Metro area will have the option to return to the newly renovated office at the completion of the renovation in Spring 2025.

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.