Vice President, Business Success

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 Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President, Business Success leads AIA's work to make architecture firms and the professionals who run them more successful. This role exists because the future of the profession depends on firms that are financially strong, professionally excellent, and positioned to win work, and on a pipeline of architects who are licensed, current, and equipped to lead them. The VP owns a significant portfolio spanning firm practice resources and continuing education and is accountable for both its financial performance and its educational quality.

This is a role for an individual who combines industry foresight and strategic insight and understands the real challenges firms face today, from AI and workforce shifts to shrinking margins and climate demands, and knows how to turn that understanding into programming, partnerships, and revenue-generating offerings that AIA members will actually use. The VP is expected to run the portfolio like a business, managing budgets and revenue projections, evaluating every partnership for return on investment, and introducing new technology and delivery models where they improve efficiency, member satisfaction, or market reach.

The Vice President, Business Success is a member of AIA's Leadership Team and serves as a key resource for business decisions across the Institute, representing AIA's practice and education priorities externally and shaping how the organization invests in the success of its members and their firms. Success looks like more architects registered, more firms thriving, and AIA recognized as the definitive source firms turn to for practice knowledge.

 Job Duties

Firm Success and Practice Strategy

• Set strategy and lead delivery for AIA's business success work, spanning design excellence, firm financial health, and firm growth and positioning.
• Translate emerging industry and firm level challenges into practical programming, tools, and content members can apply immediately.
• Lead AIA's business intelligence and research-based practice resources, including firm and market data that inform member decisions.
• Establish AIA as the leading source of support for firms navigating change, from new technology to evolving client expectations.

Licensure, Education, and Career Advancement

• Own AIA's continuing education and professional development infrastructure, including AIAU and the Continuing Education System.
• Lead efforts to grow the number of licensed, active architects, including licensure pathway support and career advancement resources.
• Hold learning and practice content to a high bar for quality, grounded in what firms and practitioners actually need.

Fiscal and Partnership Management

• Own the financial performance of the business success and learning portfolio, including budget management, revenue projections, and corrective action when results fall short of goals.
• Evaluate and manage partnerships with vendors, technology providers, and outside organizations to ensure they deliver a clear return on investment.
• Introduce new technologies and delivery models that improve efficiency, member satisfaction, and market reach across learning and practice resources.
• Serve as a key resource for business decisions across the Institute, providing the practice and firm perspective on strategic and financial questions.

Cross Functional Partnership

• Partner with research colleagues to keep programming grounded in current economic and firm data.
• Partner with membership colleagues to connect practice value to retention and growth.
• Partner with equity and climate colleagues so firm success resources treat equitable practice and climate responsible design as standard guidance.

Team and Operations

• Lead, mentor, and develop the team responsible for practice resources, learning, and business success programming.
• Set and monitor KPIs for program quality, learner engagement, and revenue.

Frequent Contacts

• EVP/CEO
• Chief Operating Officer
• AIA Leadership Team
• Vice President, Research
• Vice President, Member Experience
• Vice President, Equity & Climate
• AIA component and volunteer leaders

 Qualifications

Required

• Proven experience translating industry trends or research into practical programming or resources at scale.
• Experience leading professional development, continuing education, or practice resource functions.
• Strong business acumen, with experience managing revenue generating programs.

Bachelor's degree, professional architecture degree preferred, and ten or more years of progressive experience in practice, professional development, or a related field.

Preferred

• Licensed architect and AIA member, with firsthand understanding of firm operations and the demands of practice today.
• Certified Association Executive (CAE).
• Experience integrating sustainability or equity content into practice or professional development curricula.
• Experience with learning management systems or continuing education technology.

Supervisory Requirements

Direct supervision of the following positions:

• Managing Director, Member Education & Learning
• Senior Director of Practice

What We Offer

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our company values and workplace culture, including:

• Medical, vision, and dental
• 401(k)
• Flexibility
• Paid time off
• Parental Leave
• Flexible spending accounts
• Income protection, including Life Insurance Coverage up to 2x salary, and 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: Up to 20% travel.

Work Location: 100% remote from 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). This position will periodically be required on site at AIA Headquarters in Washington, DC.

Full-time remote employment is available only to candidates residing in the states listed.

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.