Executive Director
POSITION DESCRIPTION
AIA Hampton Roads seeks a dynamic individual with an interest in architecture and design to pursue its mission of promoting the architectural profession. This is a significant managerial position requiring the services of someone who has successful experience working with volunteer organizations and various personality types.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director of AIA Hampton Roads is responsible for managing operations and directing strategic initiatives for the professional society. The individual is a resource for volunteer leaders regarding implementing best practices, generating new ideas, and executing shared goals. The AIA Hampton Roads Executive Director is a strong advocate to the broader public for members, the American Institute of Architects, and the profession of architecture.
About the Organization
AIA Hampton Roads is a sound, well-run professional organization that serves the local architecture community. It promotes architecture and the built environment in Hampton Roads, providing resources for professional development and education.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA), with over 95,000 members in 200+ chapters around the globe, inspires and empowers architects to improve society and transform the world. Through core values that center on being impactful, transformative, visionary, inclusive, and innovative, the AIA drives positive change through the power of design and focused activism. The AIA is a three-tiered organization operating at the national, state, and local levels. AIA Hampton Roads is a local chapter/component of the AIA and is independently chartered and incorporated. The national organization is headquartered in Washington, DC and AIA Hampton Roads is based in Norfolk/Virginia Beach.
AIA Hampton Roads, at over 350 members, represents architects and allied design professionals in private practice, business, industry, government, and academia. The chapter offers continuing education courses; awards and honors programs; issue-specific or member-centric communities; government and public advocacy for architects; communications to members and the public; and help for consumers looking for an architect. Members volunteer on committees and task forces to develop programs and services. An 11-member Board of Directors governs AIA Hampton Roads. The geographic boundary of AIA Hampton Roads incorporates seven major cities as well as the counties, towns, and communities in the Peninsula and Tidewater regions of Virginia from the North Carolina line north to Williamsburg. The component does not have an office, making the Executive Director position 100% remote. Additional information is available at www.aiahr.org.
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POSITION OVERVIEW
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the hands-on leader for the component and works with the AIA Hampton Roads Board of Directors to executive the strategic initiatives of the organization. The ED ensures the organization’s role as a source of education, information, community involvement, business support, and development. Often serving as the first contact with the public for the profession, the ED should represent the organization with professionalism and enthusiasm.
This position requires leadership skills in planning strategically and collaboratively. Knowledge of – or special interest in – architecture and/or the built environment is important. Experience in nonprofit membership organizations is critical. The Executive Director must be a strong public speaker, listener, and writer to communicate the value of the architect to a broad and diverse community.
This position requires keen business acumen, strong management practices, and attentive customer service. The Executive Director manages the operations of AIA Hampton Roads – influencing policies, planning programs, supporting initiatives, directing communications, and enhancing outreach – to satisfy the expectations of members and maintain the viability of the organization.
Roles and responsibilities include:
Leadership
- Provide leadership to the organization through the current governance structure including the Board of Directors, serving as a working partner with the President of AIA Hampton Roads.
- Interact with committee members (volunteers) to encourage positive working relationships with the membership and/or stakeholders and identify future leaders of the organization.
- Effectively present information and respond to questions from volunteer leaders, members, public officials, media, and others.
- Serve as the primary resource to the board for best practices, new ideas, and execution of shared goals.
Management:
- Effectively manage the organization from fiscal, administrative, and infrastructure perspectives.
- Build upon current revenue sources; identify new value-added services/products and sources of revenue.
- Ensure a robust sponsorship program to support of the mission of AIA Hampton Roads.
Advocacy and Outreach
- Develop a legislative agenda for the organization that is consistent with the AIA’s public policies, engaging leaders and members in grassroots legislative efforts and building coalitions with allied professional associations and interest groups to achieve public policy goals.
- Collaborate with public agencies and allied organizations to establish forums to discuss issues of mutual interest and to advance the policies/positions of AIA Hampton Roads.
Communication and Alliances
- Direct and manage a diverse communications strategy for both members and external stakeholders to include newsletters, website, social media, and other platforms.
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with the members of the AIA in Hampton Roads.
- More broadly, liaise with AIA Virginia and AIA National to advance the mission and vision of the AIA.
- Participate on national AIA and Council of Architectural Component Executives (CACE) committees and task forces as may be requested or appropriate.
Education and Membership
- Develop innovative programming to drive value for members.
- Work closely with volunteer leaders; contribute to organizing, planning, and executing key programs.
- Actively target and pursue membership growth through the addition of new members and relationships with annual partners, potential sponsors, and allied organizations.
- Foster the next generation of architects, specifically in leadership development, value identification, and personal growth.
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POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience:
- Relevant Bachelor’s Degree, and/or related professional credential, with position history demonstrating increasing responsibility.
- Minimum of three years of previous management-level experience working in association management, not-for-profit, government affairs, public administration, or communications.
- Business administration, organizational management, or architecture/design-related focus desired.
- Exposure to professional societies preferred.
- Understanding of membership organizations and the unique attributes of a volunteer organization with a board that changes annually.
- Familiarity with the architecture profession, the design/construction industry, and/or the AIA preferred, with empathy for the architecture profession, its value, and the role of architects in society/environment.
- History of proactively recognizing and acting upon opportunities that benefit members.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Willingness and ability to commit to a long-term association with AIA Hampton Roads, with compensation tied to demonstrable results.
- Diversity of knowledge and skills to effectively manage the organization, including fiscal management and membership management.
- Knowledge of advocacy, event management, communications strategies, and building of partnerships and coalitions.
- Ability to set priorities and multi-task to manage competing priorities.
- Robust creative and entrepreneurial spirit that enables the organization to grow and expand its influence within its mission and vision.
- Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail.
- Knowledge of or experience within the Hampton Roads region is preferred.
- Currently living in, or willingness to relocate to, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, or surrounding area.
- Resourceful nature, innovative spirit, and creative approach are valued.
- Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the membership and volunteer environments.
Supervisory Responsibility:
There is no supervisory responsibility at this time.
Works closely with:
- President, officers, and Board of Directors
- Members of committees and task forces and other volunteer leaders
- Members of AIA Hampton Roads across the geographic region
- Leaders and staff team members of the AIA (national) and AIA Virginia
- Other strategic partners and related professional organizations
- Architecture program at Hampton University and related community college programs
- Remote guests, visitors, vendors, and suppliers
Competencies Required:
- Proficiency in data processing, collaboration software, and related programs.
- Database working experience/exposure.
- Good interpersonal skills, diplomacy, ethical conduct, and thoroughness.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
- This is a full-time exempt position (average: 2080 hours per year) with a requirement for flexible hours.
- Generally, however, work hours and days are Monday through Friday.
- Periodic evening or weekend work may be required to participate in events, committee meetings, board retreats, and other AIA-related functions.
- The position requires regular travel across the region to serve the firms and members.
- Travel out of Hampton Roads may sometimes be necessary to attend the meetings, events, and conferences of AIA Virginia, AIA National, the Council of Architectural Component Executives (CACE), or the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
- Travel expenditures are covered or reimbursed through the AIA Hampton Roads policy.
Recruiting Compensation Range:
Base salary is commensurate with education/experience and knowledge/skills/abilities with an additional benefits package; a range of $58,000 to $72,000 is anticipated. An annual review process will be performed and led by the officers of the board and is tied to compensation.
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:
AIA Hampton Roads provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Other Duties:
Candidate must be willing to undergo a background check including legal, educational, driving, credit, employment records, etc. This position description does not cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.