Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) works to advance our nation's quality of life and protect the public's health, safety and welfare. Each day AIA members across the country and throughout the world create the places where people live and learn, work, and play. With over 200 actively engaged components, we are the voice of the architectural profession and a resource for its members in service to society. 

AIA Washington Council (AIAWA) and AIA Seattle are seeking a Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy to support our advocacy work in design, the professional practice of architecture, and the built environment. 

AIAWA, representing over 3000 architect members, serves as the collective voice for and a resource on state government policies that impact the practice of architecture and the profession through all of the AIA components and sections in Washington State. AIAWA’s primary mission is to collaborate, engage and mobilize members and prepare them to advocate on behalf of the profession. AIA WA collaborates on advocacy efforts with one of its member organizations, AIA Seattle, and the Manager of Policy and Advocacy moves forward the advocacy goals of both organizations. 

AIA Seattle is one of the largest architectural associations in the US, with an inspiring community of more than 2500 members in ten counties, who are passionate and engaged in our communities. AIA Seattle is a member-led organization. AIA Seattle’s interactive relationship between volunteers and staff allows us to harness the wisdom and leadership of our community for greater impact. AIA Seattle is working to implement thoughtful and actionable measures to advance sustainability, equity, diversity and anti-racism, and to support industry-wide culture change.  

The ideal candidate will position AIA members as leaders on policy related to the practice of architecture and the built environment. We are looking for an independent, motivated, and passionate leader who will work with senior staff and members to identify and develop consensus on specific policy issues of importance to AIA and organize direct action and communication about those issues. The ideal candidate will be passionate about policy and the built environment, eager to improve our profession, a natural facilitator and consensus-builder who can collaborate with and mobilize our membership, as well as publicly represent the organization. 

Goals of Position 

• Mobilize, motivate and engage AIA members in advocacy on issues such as climate action, housing, capital budget funding and land use

• Improve our built environment and the profession by impacting policy 

• Create linkages between advocacy and other AIA initiatives 

Essential Job Functions 

Policy research and development 

• Evaluate legislation and policy issues for relevance to goals and priorities of AIA 

• Prioritize issues in current and potential policy to create opportunities for engagement and impact 

• Track, review, assess and report on state legislation, relevant state budgets and legislative efforts affecting the profession and the built environment 

• Collaborate with AIA policy committees and leadership to develop advocacy strategies and engagement plans  

Communication 

• Summarize and synthesize policy information for stakeholders including board, staff, and AIA members 

• Develop issue briefs, position statements, public testimony, letters, op eds and other communications 

• Manage and produce content for written and verbal communications for internal and external use regarding AIA policy positions and advocacy efforts 

 Member mobilization 

• Motivate, recruit and engage members statewide for involvement in policy and advocacy activities 

• Plan, organize and execute in person and virtual policy and advocacy trainings  

• Organize and execute public and member events to support advocacy priorities and issues including annual state lobby day   

• Organize and prepare members and connect them to opportunities for meetings with legislators and policy makers 

Relationship development 

• Cultivate and strengthen advocacy partnerships to develop aligned policy initiatives and activities  

• Maintain relationships with advocacy staff and leaders at other AIA components  

• Advise PAC board and government affairs members on candidate contributions strategies 

• Liaise and collaborate with AIA lobbyists 

Job Skills and Attributes: 

• Able to work independently and collaboratively internally and externally to meet goals 

• Proven ability to analyze and interpret legislation  

• A commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion  

• Proven ability to engage with and steward forward the work of members 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills  

• Comfortable “leading from behind” and putting members in front 

Job Qualifications: 

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in public affairs, public policy, government affairs, communications, built environment field or relevant field or equivalent lived experience 

• Demonstrated substantial, direct experience with advocacy organizing, lobbying, and/or grassroots advocacy 

• Experience with and knowledge of the WA state legislature preferred  

• Experience with and knowledge of architecture and built environment fields a plus 

Position Details: 

This is a full-time salaried position in the range of $75,000 - $88,000. We offer competitive compensation and a generous benefits and leave package, a positive work environment, flexibility for remote work, and the opportunity to positively impact the development of our cities and region. We actively encourage applications from people of color; immigrant and bilingual communities; people of all abilities; members of LGBTQ+ and non-binary communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals. Accessibility accommodations during the job application process are available, in which case please make direct contact  at [email protected]. We are a small office that supports flexibility, creativity, leadership, and the professional development of all our staff. The preferred start date is January 3, 2023. The incoming Senior Manager will participate in the Washington State Legislative session initially as an observer in the already planned legislative activities, working alongside AIA WA Council's Executive Director and lobbyist while they are onboarding to the role.

To Apply: 

Submit a resume and letter of interest via this link: https://aiaseattle.applytojob.com/apply/ISl1ld9QCE/Senior-Manager-Of-Policy-And-Advocacy. Final candidates will be asked to provide a policy related writing sample. Applications received by October 17, 2022 will be reviewed with priority.