Director, State Relations

Function of the Position:

This is a professional/managerial position on the Government and Community Relations team in which the incumbent is responsible for advancing the Institute’s and the architecture profession’s goals by promoting AIA’s public policies and empowering state components to effectively manage their legislative, regulatory and legal efforts. The incumbent works with components to improve their government relations’ capabilities, and handles liaison and advocacy roles with the applicable governmental organizations and other professional organizations. This position reports to the VP, Government & Community Relations.

Job Duties:

Manage the operations of State Relations, including the review and development of the departmental budget, programs, and products.

Manage State Relations staff including issue assignments, strategic plan project progress, time allocation, and performance reviews.

Oversee the operations of policy advisory groups including State Government Network, Licensing Committee, and the Codes and Standards Committee.

Counsel and provide direction and assistance to AIA members and components on issues, at the state level: including, but not limited to, state government procurement of architecture services (e.g. qualifications-based selection (QBS), Integrated Practice, design-build, project delivery etc), green building and sustainable design, government use of contract documents, professional service taxes, government adoption of model building codes, licensing issues (e.g. continuing education, overlap with other professions reciprocity, corporate practice, exemptions, enforcement and regulation of related professions and industries); education (e.g. stock plans and education funding), government action on growth, and lien laws.

Help components formulate legislative strategies and set priorities, including providing on-site assistance as needed.

Oversee development of Institute priorities, policies, and programs impacting State government.

Develop programs and materials to support AIA National Component’s efforts on strategic issues; maintain a clearinghouse of information and resources on assigned issues; perform research and analysis; develop publications and related issue and strategy materials as needed.

Manage the State Government Affairs Assistance Grants program and allocation of awarded monies.

Serve as Institute spokesperson/expert and policy advisor on assigned issues as well as spokesperson for overall department ;

Represent the Institute and work with other associations, organizations, and departments within AIA on assigned government relations issues and programs. Coordinate departmental liaison with governmental organizations, including management of the AIA’s involvement with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the Council of State Governments (CSG) and similar organizations.

Oversee the State Government Network and direct management/coordination of Network programs and budgets.

Develop legislative and regulatory materials including, written responses to regulatory proposals, testimony, letters, and analyses of regulations and legislation.

Frequent Contacts:

AIA Component Leadership and staff

AIA National Leadership and staff

AIA Government and Community Relations Team

AIA Leadership

AIA Meeting Planners

AIA Editors and Writers

AIA Project Coordinators

AIA Administrative Assistants

AIA Advocacy Committee

AIA State Government Network

AIA Licensing Committee

State Agencies and Government officials

Other Associations

National Conference of State Legislatures

Council of State Governments

(KSAs) and Training and Experience:

Outstanding written/oral communication skills and organizational skills. Knowledge of and skill in monitoring costs quality and on-time performance of project activities using standard project management techniques. Skilled in leadership, facilitation, team building, collaborative problem solving, conflict resolution, and systems/process development. Skilled in negotiation and active listening.Demonstrated experience analyzing complex subjects quickly, researching and providing logical presentations both orally and in writing. Demonstrated experience and providing cogent and logical presentations both orally and in writing. Experience speaking extemporaneously before groups to inform and persuade.

Experience designing and implementing programs that increase exposure to interest areas. Demonstrated successful track record working with minimal daily supervision to achieve results.

Experience managing a staff and working as part of a larger department/team/association.

Experience managing multiple priorities and responsibilities independently. Flexibility and high energy is important.

Demonstrated success working in a team environment through coordination and communication of delegated responsibilities; communicating ideas and issues with tact and diplomacy; and resolving problems collaboratively among members, collateral organizations/agencies, and the AIA staff.

Experience working independently and using initiative and independent judgment to complete complex projects on or before deadlines.

Must develop 50-state knowledge on issues of concern to the architectural profession, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the AIA organization and component operations and programs.

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.

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, including competence in Word, Excel, Access and Outlook. Skilled in using Internet browser/internet research-based methods.

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, History or related field and a minimum of five years of professional experience in state government affairs preferred, federal or local government affairs acceptable. Experience must include command of state political processes, with special emphasis on state legislative and regulatory processes, and working with multiple constituencies, such as a national board and state chapters and their individual practitioners and other relevant organizations. Association experience is an asset.

Supervisory Requirements:

Directly supervises 2 Managers and shares supervision of a Coordinator with the Senior Director, Federal Advocacy.

Coordinates the efforts of pooled resources of editors, writers, meeting planners and administrative assistants on specific projects.

To Apply
Contact Human Resources:

E-mail: aiajobs@aia.org
Fax: 202-626-7476