Specialist, State & Local Affairs

The American Institute of Architects; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental

401(k)

Flexibility

Paid time off

Parental Leave

Flexible spending accounts

Income protection (Life Insurance)

Job summary

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is seeking a Specialist to support state and local advocacy initiatives, coordinating research, communications, and project tasks for policy priorities affecting architects and the built environment.

Reporting to the Senior Director, State and Local Affairs, you will help plan programs, track issues, prepare briefing materials, coordinate meetings, and manage multiple projects with stakeholders across AIA and external partners.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to conduct policy, legislative, and regulatory research and summarize findings clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build productive working relationships.
• Sound judgment and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Director of State and Local Affairs in implementing annual work plans and program priorities.
• Conduct research on state and local legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting architects and the built environment.
• Monitor policy developments and maintain issue trackers, legislative summaries, and project documentation.
• Assist in preparing briefing materials, presentations, issue papers, talking points, advocacy resources, and meeting materials.
• Coordinate meetings, agendas, follow‑up actions, and project timelines for internal and external stakeholders.
• Draft communications, newsletters, website content, social media updates, and member‑facing materials supporting state and local advocacy initiatives.
• Respond to member inquiries and coordinate information requests related to assigned policy areas.
• Support volunteer committees, member leadership groups, and component engagement activities through meeting preparation and communications.
• Assist with planning and logistics for advocacy events, conferences, fly‑ins, webinars, and stakeholder meetings.
• Provide project management and coordination support to the Senior Director of Intergovernmental Affairs on initiatives involving the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Governors Association, and other strategic governmental organizations.
• Help maintain relationships and coordinate communications with external partners, coalition organizations, and government stakeholders.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Government Affairs, Communications, Knowledge & Practice, and other departments to advance advocacy initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project coordination

Written and verbal communication

Policy research

Regulatory research

Multitasking

Interpersonal skills

Independent and collaborative work

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science/public policy/public administration/communications

Tools

CRM platforms

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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 Senior Director, State and Local Affairs, the Specialist provides project coordination, research, communications, and administrative support for AIA's state and local advocacy initiatives. This position assists in advancing policy priorities that affect architects and the built environment while supporting relationships with AIA members, state and local components, policymakers, and external partners.

The Specialist supports the planning and execution of state and local advocacy programs through research, meeting coordination, communications, volunteer engagement, and issue tracking. The role also provides project support to the Senior Director of Intergovernmental Affairs on key initiatives involving national organizations such as the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the National Governors Association (NGA), helping coordinate partnerships, meetings, events, and policy engagement activities.

Working collaboratively across the Government Affairs and Public Policy team and other AIA departments, the Specialist helps ensure projects are executed efficiently, stakeholders remain informed, and advocacy initiatives are supported with timely research, communications, and operational coordination.

Job Duties

• Support the Senior Director of State and Local Affairs in implementing annual work plans and program priorities.
• Conduct research on state and local legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting architects and the built environment.
• Monitor policy developments and maintain issue trackers, legislative summaries, and project documentation.
• Assist in preparing briefing materials, presentations, issue papers, talking points, advocacy resources, and meeting materials.
• Coordinate meetings, agendas, follow‑up actions, and project timelines for internal and external stakeholders.
• Draft communications, newsletters, website content, social media updates, and member‑facing materials supporting state and local advocacy initiatives.
• Respond to member inquiries and coordinate information requests related to assigned policy areas.
• Support volunteer committees, member leadership groups, and component engagement activities through meeting preparation and communications.
• Assist with planning and logistics for advocacy events, conferences, fly‑ins, webinars, and stakeholder meetings.
• Provide project management and coordination support to the Senior Director of Intergovernmental Affairs on initiatives involving the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Governors Association, and other strategic governmental organizations.
• Help maintain relationships and coordinate communications with external partners, coalition organizations, and government stakeholders.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Government Affairs, Communications, Knowledge & Practice, and other departments to advance advocacy initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Frequent Contacts

• AIA National staff
• AIA Codes and Standards Committee
• AIA Government Advocacy Committee
• AIA members
• State and local AIA component directors and staff
• Other Associations

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to conduct policy, legislative, and regulatory research and summarize findings clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build productive working relationships.
• Sound judgment and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Commitment to producing high‑quality work and meeting deadlines.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and standard collaboration tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or interest in public policy, government affairs, advocacy, or nonprofit organizations.
• Familiarity with state and local government processes.
• Experience supporting meetings, events, or volunteer committees.
• Knowledge of the architecture, design, construction, or built environment industries is preferred.
• Experience conducting policy or legislative research.
• Experience working with membership organizations, associations, or public‑sector stakeholders.
• Familiarity with project management or CRM platforms is a plus.

Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, public administration, communications, or a related field, and 2‑4 years of relevant professional experience in government affairs, advocacy, public policy, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field.

Supervisory

N/A

What we offer

• 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: N/A

Work Location: Remote from the AIA Approved States : AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, NH, NM, NY, NC, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, WI, WY

Applicants from states not listed above are ineligible.

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.