American Institute of Architects Seattle
Overview
AIA Seattle is seeking an Advocacy Manager to support work in design, the professional practice of architecture, and the built environment. AIA Seattle’s mission is to champion the central role of architects in creating and sustaining a better built environment. AIA Seattle is one of the largest architectural associations in the US, with more than 2500 members in ten counties. AIA Seattle is a member-led organization with volunteers and staff working together for greater impact. AIA Seattle advocates for solutions for housing, sustainability, equity, diversity and anti-racism, and to support industry-wide culture change. AIA Seattle operates in alignment with its 2025-2030 strategic plan in relation to Seattle Design Festival. The ideal candidate will position AIA members as leaders on policy related to the practice of architecture and the built environment. We seek an independent, motivated, and passionate leader who will work with senior staff and members to identify and develop consensus on policy issues and organize direct action and communication. The candidate should be passionate about policy and the built environment, 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, and land use Improve our built environment and the profession by impacting policy through member engagement Create linkages between advocacy and other AIA Seattle initiatives to inform programs and member engagement Cultivate and steward relationships, partnerships and member engagement beyond the City of Seattle Essential Job Functions
Member Mobilization 40%
Motivate, recruit and engage members in advocacy activities in the ten-county membership area of AIA Seattle Collaborate with programs team to inform public and member events and education programs to support advocacy priorities and issues Organize and prepare members to influence elected officials and their staff Communication 30%
Summarize and synthesize policy information for stakeholders including board, staff, and AIA members Develop issue briefs, position statements, talking points, letters, and other communications Manage and produce content for written and verbal communications for internal and external use regarding AIA policy positions and advocacy efforts Relationship Development 20%
Cultivate and steward advocacy partnerships to develop aligned policy initiatives and activities Identify sustainable ways to grow impact across ten counties of membership Steward and develop relationships with members, elected officials, and municipal staff Policy Research and Development 10%
Evaluate legislation and policy issues for relevance to strategic plan and priorities of AIA Seattle Prioritize issues in current and potential policy to create opportunities for engagement and impact Collaborate with AIA Seattle committees and staff to develop advocacy strategies and engagement plans Understand impact of AIA national policy positions Provide information and resources on current policy topics to support program development and member engagement Job Skills and Attributes
Manages, prioritizes, and plans independently and collaboratively to drive projects to completion from a given objective Strong written and verbal communication skills A commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion Proven ability to engage with and steward forward the work of members; Comfortable “leading from behind” and putting members in front Proven ability to analyze and interpret policy Job Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in public affairs, public policy, government affairs, communications, built environment field or relevant field or equivalent lived experience Experience with advocacy organizing, lobbying, coalition engagement and/or grassroots advocacy Familiarity with municipal structures and processes in AIA Seattle’s 10 County membership area a plus Experience with and knowledge of architecture and built environment fields a plus Our Team and Benefits
AIA Seattle offers competitive wages and benefits and seeks applicants with diverse backgrounds. We are committed to culture change and aim to attract and retain more people of color, women, and non-binary people. We support flexibility, creativity, leadership, and professional development; we work both in person and remotely with a focus on balance. This is a part-time hourly position in the range of $31.76 - $39.70 per hour for approximately 20 hours per week. Our team will work with the successful candidate to develop a part-time schedule. Benefits include: 100% premium coverage of medical benefits as well as short-term and long-term disability and life insurance Dental plan 50% of premium Company provides 401k, matching up to 4% Part-time employees receive holidays and paid time off accruals Additional paid time off and sick leave; community service leave We actively encourage applications from people of color, immigrant and bilingual communities, people of all abilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and people with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We are committed to an inviting workplace and policies to advance sustainability, equity, diversity and anti-racism. To apply, submit a resume and letter of interest through the application portal. Final candidates will be asked to provide a policy-related writing sample. Accessibility accommodations during the job application process are available. Please contact info@aiaseattle.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a preferred deadline of January 12, 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
AIA Seattle is seeking an Advocacy Manager to support work in design, the professional practice of architecture, and the built environment. AIA Seattle’s mission is to champion the central role of architects in creating and sustaining a better built environment. AIA Seattle is one of the largest architectural associations in the US, with more than 2500 members in ten counties. AIA Seattle is a member-led organization with volunteers and staff working together for greater impact. AIA Seattle advocates for solutions for housing, sustainability, equity, diversity and anti-racism, and to support industry-wide culture change. AIA Seattle operates in alignment with its 2025-2030 strategic plan in relation to Seattle Design Festival. The ideal candidate will position AIA members as leaders on policy related to the practice of architecture and the built environment. We seek an independent, motivated, and passionate leader who will work with senior staff and members to identify and develop consensus on policy issues and organize direct action and communication. The candidate should be passionate about policy and the built environment, 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, and land use Improve our built environment and the profession by impacting policy through member engagement Create linkages between advocacy and other AIA Seattle initiatives to inform programs and member engagement Cultivate and steward relationships, partnerships and member engagement beyond the City of Seattle Essential Job Functions
Member Mobilization 40%
Motivate, recruit and engage members in advocacy activities in the ten-county membership area of AIA Seattle Collaborate with programs team to inform public and member events and education programs to support advocacy priorities and issues Organize and prepare members to influence elected officials and their staff Communication 30%
Summarize and synthesize policy information for stakeholders including board, staff, and AIA members Develop issue briefs, position statements, talking points, letters, and other communications Manage and produce content for written and verbal communications for internal and external use regarding AIA policy positions and advocacy efforts Relationship Development 20%
Cultivate and steward advocacy partnerships to develop aligned policy initiatives and activities Identify sustainable ways to grow impact across ten counties of membership Steward and develop relationships with members, elected officials, and municipal staff Policy Research and Development 10%
Evaluate legislation and policy issues for relevance to strategic plan and priorities of AIA Seattle Prioritize issues in current and potential policy to create opportunities for engagement and impact Collaborate with AIA Seattle committees and staff to develop advocacy strategies and engagement plans Understand impact of AIA national policy positions Provide information and resources on current policy topics to support program development and member engagement Job Skills and Attributes
Manages, prioritizes, and plans independently and collaboratively to drive projects to completion from a given objective Strong written and verbal communication skills A commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion Proven ability to engage with and steward forward the work of members; Comfortable “leading from behind” and putting members in front Proven ability to analyze and interpret policy Job Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in public affairs, public policy, government affairs, communications, built environment field or relevant field or equivalent lived experience Experience with advocacy organizing, lobbying, coalition engagement and/or grassroots advocacy Familiarity with municipal structures and processes in AIA Seattle’s 10 County membership area a plus Experience with and knowledge of architecture and built environment fields a plus Our Team and Benefits
AIA Seattle offers competitive wages and benefits and seeks applicants with diverse backgrounds. We are committed to culture change and aim to attract and retain more people of color, women, and non-binary people. We support flexibility, creativity, leadership, and professional development; we work both in person and remotely with a focus on balance. This is a part-time hourly position in the range of $31.76 - $39.70 per hour for approximately 20 hours per week. Our team will work with the successful candidate to develop a part-time schedule. Benefits include: 100% premium coverage of medical benefits as well as short-term and long-term disability and life insurance Dental plan 50% of premium Company provides 401k, matching up to 4% Part-time employees receive holidays and paid time off accruals Additional paid time off and sick leave; community service leave We actively encourage applications from people of color, immigrant and bilingual communities, people of all abilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and people with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We are committed to an inviting workplace and policies to advance sustainability, equity, diversity and anti-racism. To apply, submit a resume and letter of interest through the application portal. Final candidates will be asked to provide a policy-related writing sample. Accessibility accommodations during the job application process are available. Please contact info@aiaseattle.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a preferred deadline of January 12, 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr