Director, State & Local Affairs

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

The Director, State and Local Affairs is responsible for developing and executing assigned state and local advocacy initiatives, supporting AIA components on legislative and regulatory matters, and strengthening communications and engagement across AIA's government affairs network.

Reporting to the Senior Director, State and Local Affairs, the Director independently manages an assigned portfolio of legislative research, advocacy resource development, component engagement, programming, and communications initiatives. A central responsibility is the development, maintenance, and distribution of state and local advocacy programs and other practical resources that enable AIA components to respond effectively to legislative and regulatory challenges.

The Director works with component executives, state and local government affairs professionals, and volunteer leaders to identify resource needs, promote existing policy toolkits, develop new materials, and provide guidance on adapting national resources to state and local jurisdictions. The position does not serve as the primary lobbyist for state or local components, but rather supports component-led advocacy through research, model materials, strategic consultation, training, and coordination.

The Director independently executes assigned initiatives established by the Senior Director, providing recommendations on program strategy and significant policy matters. A key responsibility is strengthening advocacy communications in partnership with the Director of Programs and Communications, including promoting available resources, communicating policy developments, highlighting advocacy accomplishments, and increasing member engagement.

Job Duties

Advocacy Toolkit Development and Policy Resources

• Manage the research, drafting, development, maintenance, and distribution of state and local advocacy toolkits and related resources that equip AIA components to independently address legislative and regulatory challenges, consistent with priorities established by the Senior Director. Resources may include model legislation, testimony, policy briefs, talking points, sample letters, communications templates, coalition strategies, and jurisdiction-specific guidance.
• Identify opportunities for new toolkits and improvements to existing resources based on legislative developments, emerging multistate trends, component needs, and feedback from state and local government affairs staff, task forces, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain an organized and accessible inventory of advocacy resources, establishing regular review schedules and coordinating updates with the Senior Director and relevant GAPP staff to ensure materials remain accurate, current, and consistent with applicable AIA policy.
• Develop and execute strategies to actively promote existing and new toolkits across AIA's component network, including through direct engagement, newsletters, the Government Affairs Forum, webinars, and roundtables.
• Provide guidance and training to help components adapt and effectively deploy resources based on their legislative priorities and local circumstances.
• Track toolkit utilization, component adoption, feedback, and advocacy outcomes to assess effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Coordinate internal and external subject matter expertise and prepare major policy resources for Senior Director review and approval, consistent with applicable GAPP policy approval requirements.

Legislative Research and Component Advocacy Support

• Monitor and analyze state and local legislative and regulatory developments affecting the architectural profession using legislative tracking software, coalition reporting, component intelligence, and other appropriate resources.
• Independently manage assigned policy and advocacy initiatives, including research, legislative analysis, development of policy recommendations, and coordination of supporting materials and elevate significant policy recommendations and strategic decisions to the Senior Director.
• Identify emerging legislative threats, opportunities, and multistate trends that warrant additional analysis, coordinated resources, or consideration by GAPP leadership.
• Maintain strong working relationships with state and local component executives, state and local government affairs staff, volunteer advocacy leaders, and advocacy committees, serving as a resource for legislative research, strategic guidance, and technical assistance.
• Support component-led advocacy initiatives through policy research, model materials, campaign guidance, and coordination with other components or coalition partners facing similar challenges.
• Coordinate with the Senior Director and GAPP colleagues to connect federal, state, and local policy developments and identify opportunities for consistent advocacy guidance.
• Recognize that state and local components and their government affairs staff retain responsibility for direct state and local lobbying, with AIA National providing coordinated policy resources, research, strategic guidance, and technical assistance.

Advocacy Communications and Digital Engagement

• Manage the development and execution of state and local advocacy communications in coordination with the Director of Programs and Communications, ensuring timely, engaging, and consistent messaging across appropriate GAPP and AIA channels.
• Manage the annual State and Local Affairs communications calendar, coordinating content development, editorial deadlines, and distribution with the Director of Programs and Communications, in coordination with the Senior Director.
• Serve as the primary content coordinator and editor for the Government Affairs Forum newsletter, state and local contributions to Component Update, and other assigned advocacy communications.
• Develop original written and digital content that communicates legislative developments, emerging policy issues, advocacy resources, and accomplishments, translating complex information into accessible and actionable messages for members and components.
• Identify and promote successful component advocacy initiatives through case studies, profiles, interviews, and other communications that demonstrate the value and impact of AIA advocacy.
• Manage state and local content and member engagement activities within the Government Affairs Forum, Higher Logic community, and related platforms, including resource organization, information sharing, and coordination of platform improvements.
• Collaborate with the Director of Programs and Communications on editorial planning, content distribution, digital engagement, and performance measurement, ensuring communications adhere to established AIA policy and approval requirements.

Programming, Training, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage the annual State and Local Affairs programming calendar, subject to Senior Director approval, and oversee the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of Regional Government Affairs Roundtables, webinars, training sessions, component workshops, and other assigned programs. Support the Senior Director in planning and delivering the Government Affairs Forum Summit, State and Local Government Affairs Task Forces, and other major convenings, independently managing assigned programs and workstreams.
• Develop and deliver educational programming that strengthens component advocacy capacity, promotes information sharing, and addresses emerging legislative and regulatory issues.
• Build and maintain relationships with assigned coalition partners, industry associations, and government affairs stakeholders to exchange policy intelligence, coordinate resources, and advance approved organizational priorities.
• Collaborate with the Director of Programs and Communications and other GAPP colleagues to align state and local programming with broader departmental initiatives and member engagement objectives.

Program Management and Accountability

• Independently manage assigned legislative, advocacy resource, communications, and programming initiatives, establishing project plans, timelines, deliverables, and appropriate performance measures. Maintain accurate legislative tracking information, project documentation, component engagement records, and related program data using Quorum, Fonteva, Higher Logic, and other appropriate systems.
• Prepare substantive contributions to quarterly and annual reports documenting legislative developments, toolkit development and adoption, component engagement, program accomplishments, and measurable outcomes.
• Participate in departmental planning, recommend improvements to program effectiveness, and collaborate with the Senior Director to establish priorities and allocate resources.
• Manage the intake and triage of component requests, coordinate timely responses, and maintain department procedures, templates, and documentation to support consistent program delivery.
• Coordinate department meetings, program logistics, project timelines, registration, stakeholder communications, and follow-up, utilizing Quorum, Higher Logic, Fonteva, and other appropriate platforms.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, government affairs, communications, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in legislative affairs, government relations, advocacy, association management, public policy, or related fields.
• Demonstrated legislative research, policy analysis, and advocacy project management experience.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to translate complex policy matters into practical and accessible resources.
• Experience developing advocacy toolkits, policy guides, model legislative materials, educational resources, or comparable products preferred.
• Experience developing member communications, newsletters, digital content, or advocacy engagement materials.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage substantive projects, coordinate stakeholders, and deliver measurable results.
• Experience providing legislative or advocacy support to member organizations, volunteer leaders, or external partners.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and work independently within established organizational objectives.
• Experience using legislative tracking, advocacy, digital communications, or association engagement platforms preferred.
• Experience working with professional associations, federated organizations, or state and local advocacy networks preferred.
• Familiarity with architecture, design, construction, professional licensure, or built environment policy preferred.

Frequent Contacts

• GAPP leadership and staff;
• Director of Programs and Communications;
• AIA Marketing and Communications;
• state and local component executives and staff;
• component government affairs professionals;
• Government Affairs Task Force participants;
• AIA members and volunteer leaders;
• coalition partners; and
• relevant vendors

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
• Parental Leave
• 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
• SmartBenefits transportation program, featuring up to $55 monthly in public transportation as well as pretax METRO parking
• Computer purchase program
• Fitness club discounts
• Prepaid legal services program
• Identity theft protection

Travel Requirements: 10%

Work Location: Hybrid from the Washington, DC metro area only (DC, MD, VA)

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

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.