Director, Resilience & Disaster Response

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 Managing Director, Climate Action & Design Excellence in the Knowledge & Practice department, the Director works in collaboration with the Climate Action and Design Excellence team to build member value and partnerships to support climate action as a strategic priority of the AIA. This role will serve to develop practice knowledge and education for architects, help direct the dissemination of knowledge and resources related to resilience and climate adaptation, hazard and disaster mitigation and planning, building science, and historic preservation in the built environment and may include facilitation, presentation, or representation at AIA conferences at the national, state, or local component level, or at industry organization conferences or convenings.

In addition, the position mobilizes member subject matter expertise to contribute to AIA positions for advocacy, policy, codes and standards for resilience and climate adaptation. The director also contributes to communications messaging on climate resilience and adaptation of design for the built environment for AIA leadership, in conjunction with AIA's Marketing and Communications team, and other senior members of the Climate Action and Design Excellence team

Job Duties:

Program Management

• Responsible for 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.
• Directs education and member engagement activities related to resilience, climate adaptation, historic preservation, and building performance in partnership with AIA member groups.
• Position resilience as a core pillar of AIA's climate action and equity agendas and promote the integration of resilience, disaster assistance and climate adaptation into the Framework for Design Excellence, the 2030 Commitment, and the A&D Materials Pledge- and intersectional collaboration with other Knowledge Communities, State Disaster Coordinators Network, the Communities by Design program of the Architects Foundation, and the AIA Trust.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for disaster response and recovery efforts, and disaster assistance training programs coordinating partners and evaluating content for impact.
• Build program synergy and capacity to apply member knowledge and expertise on resilience and disaster risk reduction for communities in conjunction with the Architects Foundation/Communities by Design program.
• Leads cross-team collaboration, and facilitates 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.
• Manages regular program and project budget reporting and updates.
• Identifies opportunities for revenue generation and sponsorship and carries out sponsorship fulfillment for programs under purview.

Member Engagement

• Direct management of AIA Knowledge Communities, and member working groups and networks, including Resilience and Disaster Response Advisory Group, Resilience Network, Historic Resources Committee Knowledge Community and Building Performance Knowledge Community, and others as assigned.
• Recruit and cultivate 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.
• Advances AIA's thought leadership and subject matter expertise through contributing to speaking, writing, and representing AIA in industry forums.
• Directs 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.
• Works 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.
• Works with Advocacy & Government Affairs team to engage members to provide review, input, expertise, and participation in climate action policy, advocacy, and collaborative industry initiatives, such as through the Codes and Standards Committee, Building Resilience Advocacy Coalition, State and Local Government Network, and Architects Foundation Communities by Design Program.
• In collaboration with Component Engagement Team, share resources and expertise on climate resilience and adaptation in design, hazard assessment, and disaster preparedness and mitigation.

Communications

• .Develops and facilitates meaningful member engagement in the development and promotion of resilience and disaster education, tools, and resources for various audiences.
• Serve as a point of contacts on resilience, climate adaptation, building performance, and historic preservation, and as an internal and external Institute advisor on relevant issues
• Provides 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.
• Provides subject matter guidance and external coordination with federal agencies and industry organizations developing research, metrics and rating systems.
• Research and share data, knowledge and program communications for dissemination to Committee on Climate Action and Design Excellence (CCADE), Codes Advocacy Network, Component Connect, Building Resilience Advocacy Coalition, State & Local Government Network, State Disaster Coordinators Network, Committee on the Environment Network, AIA and other Knowledge Communities, and other AIA departments or stakeholders as required.
• Annually update the AIA Emergency Operations Center (EOC) protocol and provide necessary internal education to prepare staff for disaster response.
• Directs and develops communications, and program delivery systems including regular updates to relevant web pages, social media sites, and Community Hub networks; leads 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.
• 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.
• Responds to information requests from AIA members, AIA components, and the public on resilience and climate adaptation activities and issues.
• Elevate the visibility and value proposition of resilience and disaster-related programs for AIA members and communities.

Frequent contacts:

• AIA members and volunteer groups
• Consultants and vendors
• Current and potential sponsors
• Related industry and professional organizations and associations, and government agencies
• AIA National and Component staff including Knowledge & Practice, Advocacy & Relationships; Marketing and Communication, Membership/Component Engagement; Sales, Events, and Exhibitions, Architects Foundation Communities x Design, and AIA Trust.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge and proficient 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.
• Experience coalition-building with federal agencies, nonprofits, industry leaders, and academic partners preferred.
• Understanding of climate adaptation and resilience design for the built environment, climate and building science, real estate development, equitable communities, and building-scale resilience are required. Experience in AEC firm, AEC industry organization or association, or governmental agency preferred.
• 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 a must. Graphic, web, marketing and educational skills are a plus.

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.

Travel: Minimal travel may be required. Ability to travel is a must.

Supervisory Requirements: One direct report

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:
  1. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their family members
  2. SmartBenefits transportation program, featuring up to $55 monthly in public transportation as well as pretax METRO parking
  3. Computer purchase program
  4. Fitness club discounts
  5. Prepaid legal services program
  6. Identity theft protection

Work Location: 100% Remote from the AIA Approved States (outside of the DC metro area):

AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NH,
NM, NY, NC, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WI, WY

Applicants from states not listed above are ineligible.

This position will periodically be required to be on-site at the AIA Headquarters in Washington, D.C

Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.