Sr. Director, Governance & Volunteer Manageme

Job Summary

Reporting to the Managing Director, Governance & Awards + Corporate Secretary, the Senior Director, Governance and Volunteer Engagement is a strategic leader within AIA's Governance & Awards department. This role drives the Institute's volunteer engagement strategy, strengthens governance infrastructure, and advances the organization's mission and strategic priorities, while partnering with staff liaisons across the Institute to navigate the growing complexities of member leadership engagement.

This role serves as a key connector across member groups and governance bodies, ensuring that volunteers are recognized, supported, and empowered to advance AIA's priorities. It also plays a vital role in coordinating with staff liaisons across the Institute to strengthen collaboration and drive strategic outcomes.

Job Duties

Governance and Volunteer Alignment

• Lead a coordinated approach to the committee appointment process by assisting the President‑Elect with research, guiding staff in gathering input from liaisons and committee chairs, communicating appointments and sunsets, updating information in the AMS and on the website, sending appointment letters, maintaining an up‑to‑date roster, and scheduling chair/co‑chair orientation calls. Serve as the primary point of contact for communication between the Board of Directors and committees by collaborating with senior leadership and staff teams and develop and maintain training and educational materials that explain committee roles, responsibilities, and decision‑making processes for both staff liaisons and committee chairs.

• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and efficiencies; proactively seek feedback to streamline processes and explore creative solutions.

• Partner with the Governance team to align volunteer engagement with AIA's bylaws, policies, and strategic initiatives.

• Lead the development of resources, training, and support structures that enable effective volunteer governance practices.

• Collaborate with department heads and key stakeholders to ensure volunteer groups are resourced and integrated into organizational planning.

• Maintain up‑to‑date records, communications, and engagement analytics to measure impact and identify opportunities for improvement.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide guidance and direction to staff and cross‑functional teams supporting volunteer programs and governance functions.

• Collaborate closely with other departments (e.g., Member & Component Engagement, EDI, Government Affairs & Public Policy) to ensure cohesion and mutual reinforcement of goals.

• Serve as a visible leader and ambassador of AIA's culture of collaboration, service, and excellence.

Basic Qualifications

• Successfully managed complex volunteer networks and led strategic engagement efforts within nonprofit or member‑driven organizations.

• Demonstrated ability to build trust‑based relationships and work effectively across the organization, collaborating with senior staff colleagues to align operations, strategy, and execution in support of enterprise‑wide priorities.

• Proven experience partnering with volunteer leaders, boards, and committees to translate organizational strategy into actionable initiatives, while fostering shared ownership, accountability, and long‑term strategic impact.

• Proven understanding of the dynamics of volunteer management and stakeholder collaboration.

• Proven leader with a strong work ethic and demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop long‑term plans aligned with the organization's vision.

• Skilled in communicating AIA's strategic priorities to firm leadership, staff, and the broader professional community.

• Proficient interpersonal, written, and verbal communication abilities.

• Skilled in distilling complex written and oral information and delivering insightful analysis.

• Skilled at preparing and presenting materials for high‑level internal and external stakeholders.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments with multidisciplinary teams.

• Advanced experience in facilitation, team building, negotiations, and conflict resolution.

• Demonstrated ability to…