Senior Manager, Federal Affairs

**Salary Range:** $89,600 – $100,000
**Location:** Washington, DC Metro Area (Hybrid – DC, MD, VA)
**Travel:** Approximately 10%

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is seeking a Senior Manager, Federal Affairs to advance the organization’s federal legislative and advocacy priorities. Reporting to the Senior Director, Federal Affairs, this position represents AIA before Congress, the Executive Branch, and national stakeholder organizations on issues affecting the architecture profession and the built environment.

This is an exciting opportunity for a government affairs professional who is passionate about public policy, coalition building, and strategic advocacy to help shape federal policy on behalf of one of the nation’s leading professional associations.

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## Key Responsibilities

### Federal Advocacy
– Develop and execute federal lobbying strategies that advance AIA’s legislative priorities.
– Build and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, Executive Branch officials, and federal agencies.
– Coordinate AIA’s annual Capitol Hill Day and other advocacy events.
– Organize congressional meetings, policy briefings, fly-ins, and in-district engagement opportunities.
– Recruit, prepare, and support AIA members as effective federal advocates.
– Develop advocacy materials, testimony, issue briefs, and talking points.
– Support grassroots and grasstops advocacy initiatives in collaboration with internal stakeholders.

### Policy Development
– Monitor and analyze federal legislation, regulations, and administrative actions affecting architecture and the built environment.
– Draft legislative language, regulatory comments, policy statements, and other advocacy documents.
– Coordinate the work of AIA’s Government Advocacy Committee (GAC).
– Anticipate emerging policy issues and recommend updates to AIA’s federal agenda.
– Collaborate across departments and with external organizations to advance AIA’s policy objectives.

### Political Engagement (ArchiPAC)
– Support ArchiPAC fundraising and political engagement activities.
– Ensure compliance with lobbying, ethics, and campaign finance requirements.
– Provide strategic recommendations regarding political contributions.
– Represent AIA at political and fundraising events.

### Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
– Brief AIA leadership on federal legislative and regulatory developments.
– Develop federal affairs communications for members and external audiences.
– Represent AIA at conferences, meetings, and industry events.
– Coordinate partnerships with federal agencies and allied organizations.
– Support rapid-response communications on federal policy developments.

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## Qualifications
– Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government, or a related field required; J.D. or Master’s degree preferred.
– Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in federal government relations, public policy, or advocacy.
– Experience as congressional staff or an Executive Branch political appointee is strongly preferred.
– Demonstrated knowledge of the federal legislative and regulatory process.
– Proven success developing and implementing federal advocacy strategies.
– Excellent written, verbal, analytical, and presentation skills.
– Strong relationship-building, negotiation, and coalition management abilities.
– Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
– Proficiency with Microsoft Office and online research tools.

Experience with policy issues including housing, tax, climate and resilience, federal procurement, design and construction, or equity initiatives is desirable.

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## Compensation & Benefits
AIA offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including:
– Medical, dental, and vision coverage
– 401(k) retirement plan
– Generous paid time off
– Parental leave
– Flexible spending accounts
– Employer-paid life and disability insurance
– Tuition and professional membership reimbursement
– Employee Assistance Program
– Transportation benefits
– Fitness discounts
– Identity theft protection
– Flexible hybrid work environment

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## About AIA
The American Institute of Architects is committed to advancing the value of architecture and empowering architects to design a better future. Guided by principles of equity, sustainability, resilience, and community impact, AIA advocates for policies that strengthen the profession and improve the built environment for all.

AIA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Interested applicants should apply here: **Sr. Manager, Federal Affairs**