CareerSpot

AIA Illinois seeks a visionary, highly engaged, dynamic individual with an interest in architecture and design to empower its members and inspire the creation of a better built environment throughout the state. This is a significant leadership position requiring an individual with extensive and successful experience working with volunteer organizations and various personality types. 

The AIA Illinois Executive Vice President ensures that the programs, activities, and services of AIA Illinois directly benefit the members and the profession, as determined by the Board of Directors. Responsibilities include: facilitating strategic planning; implementing organizational goals and objectives; seeking non-dues revenue opportunities through programs, sponsorships, and collaborative initiatives; acting as liaison to state government agencies and identified public groups; assisting in Board development and governance; and providing relevant and timely member services. The EVP upholds a strong organizational culture and as such is responsible for managing the AIA Illinois office and ensuring that the workplace is appropriately staffed and structured to support the mission of AIA Illinois.

About the Organization

AIA Illinois is empowered by members to champion the profession of architecture.

AIA Illinois is guided by duty and honor to serve its members, their clients, and their communities at large. As the voice of the architecture profession in Illinois, AIA Illinois provides a nonpartisan perspective to assist in the development of partnerships and good public policy. They recognize the diversity of communities and interests within the state but seek to find common ground to achieve better, safer communities while maximizing their public investments.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA), with over 96,000 members in 200+ chapters across the country and 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. In particular, the national organization focuses on climate action and social justice, emphasizing the role architects play in advancing these critical societal issues. 

The AIA is a three-tiered organization operating at the national, state, and local levels. Chartered in 1946, AIA Illinois is a statewide chapter/component of the AIA and is independently incorporated. National AIA is headquartered in Washington, DC and AIA Illinois is based in Springfield. AIA Illinois works in collaboration with four local chapters: Chicago, Eastern Illinois, Northeast Illinois, and Prairie.

AIA Illinois, with over 4,000 members, represents architects and allied design professionals in private practice, business, industry, government, and academia. AIAIL offers continuing education courses; advocacy for architects and architecture; awards and honors programs; specialized, issue-specific Knowledge Communities; communication to members; public outreach; and help for consumers looking for an architect. Members volunteer on committees and task forces to develop programs and initiatives. A 13-member Board of Directors made up of three officers and ten directors governs AIA Illinois. The staff team of four operates from offices at 201 East Adams Street in Springfield. For additional information, see www.aiail.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The AIA Illinois Executive Vice President provides overall leadership and management of the advocacy, operational, financial, membership, education, honors, design awards, and component coordination areas as established by the Board of Directors within the context of a statewide nonprofit organization. The EVP:

• Reports directly to the organization’s President, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors.
• Serves as the primary liaison between and among the local components of the AIA across Illinois and with national AIA in Washington, DC.
• Oversees a staff of four to six persons and directs these employees to carry out the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the Board of Directors. 

This position requires significant leadership skills in planning strategically and collaboratively. It also necessitates keen business acumen, strong management practices, and attentive customer service. Knowledge of architecture and/or the built environment is important. Experience in nonprofit membership organizations is critical. Most importantly, the candidate must be an excellent public speaker, listener, and writer to communicate the value of the architect to a broad and diverse community. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

Legislative Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs

• Monitor and influence statewide legislative and administrative agency proposals as well as government policies that affect members and the organization.
• Guide leaders and volunteers toward a legislative agenda 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.
• Liaise with Illinois’ Architecture Licensing Board on regulatory matters pertaining to the licensure of architects and the practice of architecture.
• Collaborate with public agencies and allied organizations to establish forums to discuss issues of mutual interest and advance the policy positions of AIA Illinois. 
• Through visibility at fund-raising and other events, build relationships with General Assembly members, and promote fund-raising for Illinois’s political action committee.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a spokesperson for the component and promote AIA Illinois through the media, communicate with state leaders, and promote the organization’s interests with allied organizations and other public entities. 
• Liaise with national AIA, “Large States” working group (coordinated by National AIA), neighboring AIA chapters, and the four local AIA chapters in Illinois. 
• Maintain working relationships with Illinois’ accredited programs in architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Judson University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and University of Illinois at Chicago, as well as non-accredited architecture programs and the state’s community colleges.
• Forge meaningful, effective alliances with related professional organizations, sponsors/supporters, & businesses.  

Governance, Operations, and Finance

• Implement best practices for nonprofit governance and serve as the coordinative implementer of the Board of Director’s mission, vision, goals, and strategies.
• Participate in long-range and strategic planning for the future growth and vibrancy of the organization. 
• Collaborate in the development of the organization’s annual budget of approximately $900,000.
• Manage said budget and maintain best financial practices within the areas of governance, reporting, compliance, and risk management. 
• Diversify the revenue stream by developing non-dues revenue opportunities through sponsorships, donations, and/or other income in collaboration with the Board of Directors. 
• Uphold a strong office culture through the oversight of a dynamic staff team.

Member Communications and Public Outreach

• Direct, manage, and prepare communications with appropriate delegation of responsibility to staff team members to ensure effective communications with members.
• Leverage data processing, collaboration software, membership database, and related programs. 
• Reach the public by enhancing awareness of the organization, architects, and architecture; providing client education; and encouraging community service initiatives.

Member Service and Support

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors as well as the local, regional, and national components to assess membership needs, and set annual operational and long-range strategic goals.
• Coordinate with the four local components and their membership needs to maintain accreditation by national AIA.
• Encourage and develop programs and services to meet members’ needs; build programs as needed to encourage increased membership by architects, young architects, associate members, and allied professionals.
• Oversee execution of signature educational and professional development programs including the Annual Conference, AIAspire student leadership conference, Honors and Design Awards, webinars, and others. 
• Serve as a resource for the general membership in matters pertaining to AIA National policy and represent AIA Illinois at national, state, and local levels.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree, with position history demonstrating increasing responsibility.
• Minimum of seven years of previous organizational-level management experience working in association management, not-for-profit, government affairs, public administration, or communications.
• Business administration, organizational management, or design-related focus desired. 
• Exposure to professional societies is preferred.
• Understanding of membership organizations and/or familiarity with architecture or allied professions. 
• History of proactively recognizing and acting upon opportunities that benefit members.
• The “Certified Association Executive” (CAE) credential is highly valued.
• A developed network within Springfield and the surrounding areas is strongly desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Willingness and ability to commit to a long-term association with AIA Illinois, with compensation tied to demonstrable results determined through annual performance assessments.
• Ability to interact, advise, and communicate in a timely and respectful manner with volunteer leaders, members, employees, stakeholders, and allied organizations.
• Creativity, flexibility, diplomacy, persuasiveness, and ability to evaluate all sides of an issue.
• Confidence in one’s own knowledge and skills and willingness to take responsibility to accomplish goals and tasks, balanced with effective, appropriate, and respectful delegation.
• Excellent abilities in communication, interpersonal dynamics, leadership and management, problem solving, organization, decision making, planning, and policy development.
• Ability to support and nurture volunteers to assume leadership roles for the component.
• Aptitude to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail.
• Awareness of opportunities for creative leadership and management in the post-pandemic environment.
• Knowledge and experience working in the state of Illinois is preferred.
• Willingness to relocate to Springfield, Illinois or surrounding area is required.
• Resourceful nature, innovative spirit, and creative approach are valued.
• Demonstrated leader with positive attitude, organizational dedication, and energetic enthusiasm.
• Strong obligation to diplomacy, integrity, and ethical conduct is required. 
• Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the membership, volunteer, and staff environments is highly encouraged. 

Works closely with:

• President, officers, and Board of Directors
• All members of the AIA Illinois staff team 
• Members of committees and task forces and other volunteer leaders
• Members of AIA Illinois across the state
• AIA Illinois’ contracted lobbyist
• Leaders and staff team members of the AIA (national) and AIA Large States working group
• Local AIA chapters in Illinois
• Other strategic partners and related professional organizations
• On-site and remote guests, visitors, vendors, and suppliers 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time exempt position (average: 2080 hours per year) with requirement for flexible hours.
• Generally, 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 AIAIL-related functions.
• The position requires regular travel across Illinois to serve AIA members throughout the state.
• Travel beyond Illinois is periodically necessary to attend the meetings, events, and conferences of AIA Illinois, AIA National, the Council of Architectural Component Executives (CACE), AIA’s Large States working group, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), or other organizations.
• Travel expenditures are covered or reimbursed through the AIA Illinois policy.

Recruiting Compensation Range:

The base salary is commensurate with education/experience and knowledge/skills/abilities with an additional, generous benefits package; a range of $130,000 to $160,000 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 Illinois 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 veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Other Duties:

The successful finalist for the position 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.

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AIA Illinois has engaged an organizational management consultancy, The Three Aspens, Ltd., to assist with this executive search. Inquiries and nominations should be directed (confidentially) to Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA via e-mail at helene@theplumstudio.com. No phone calls, please. All candidates will be notified via e-mail as to the status of their application.

To be considered, applicants must submit a customized letter of interest and resume or curriculum vitae (detailing measurable success in the key qualifications for the position) VIA EMAIL to joanna@theplumstudio.com by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Friday, June 16, 2023.

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The Three Aspens, Ltd. is devoted to organizational transformation through change management, process innovation, leadership development, strategic planning, and ownership transition. The consultancy focuses on the culture of groups and entities, with a passion for elevating the vibrancy of design-related firms and small non-profits. Using the botanical analogy of the Aspen Effect – the inter-connected nature of aspen trees – The Three Aspens, Ltd. inspires organizational vitality. 

Copyright note:

The contents of this proposal are proprietary and intended for the singular and express use for AIA Illinois’ Executive Vice President search. AIA Illinois or other entities and organizations may not use materials contained herein without first receiving permission from The Three Aspens, Ltd.