Executive Director

Boston, MA, United States

The Boston Society for

Architecture’s mission is to improve the quality of life for

Boston-area residents by championing innovation in the built

environment with a clear vision to solve related critical equity

and sustainability challenges.

The Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) is seeking a

charismatic, energetic, and passionate leader with a strong

operational and fundraising background and a track record managing

and building collaborative, high-performing organizations.

The BSA is a partnership between the Boston Society of

Architects (BSA/AIA) and the BSA Foundation. The BSA operates as a

convener, collaborator, educator, and action leader to ensure that

the power of design is fully employed in creating solutions that

address the equity and climate crises of our time.

As a member-led association, the BSA/AIA is one of the oldest

and largest chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Comprising world-renowned architects, designers, engineers,

builders, and other industry professionals, it benefits from a

committed membership who are some of the leading thinkers and

innovators in professional practice today. The Foundation is a

community nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives

through design for all in Greater Boston.

The BSA delivers on its mission through two connected streams of

work:

Enabling architects to excel in their profession by offering

education and networking opportunities, and advocating for the

profession at local, state, and national levels.

Catalyzing and collaborating on innovation initiatives aimed at

addressing equity and sustainability challenges in the built

environment.

These streams of work are synergistic: architects apply their

skills to collaborative initiatives, which in turn inform their

knowledge and capabilities. Both are designed to ensure a thriving

architectural community that is tackling the issues of our era.

The BSA’s vision is to solve critical equity and sustainability

challenges related to the built environment. It aims to realize

this vision by activating its network of architects, engineers,

developers, policymakers, community members – and new partners – to

work together designing and testing solutions to today’s most

demanding problems. Its goal is to lift these solutions up as

models that can be adopted locally, nationally, and

internationally.

The Chapter’s members include more than 4,500 practicing

architects, allied professionals, students, and public members

interested in architecture and design. The BSA has an annual budget

of approximately $ 4 million, an endowment of $10 million,

and a staff of 13 professionals.

BASIC FUNCTION

The Executive Director will be a strategic thinker who will

provide the energy and leadership necessary to ensure that the BSA

continues to provide a dynamic public voice in design, civic life,

and the role of design in society and culture. The Executive

Director’s knowledge of the intersection of architecture, advocacy,

and community engagement will be critical in leading the

organization with a deep passion for architecture, urbanism, and

the built world. The Executive Director, in collaboration with the

BSA Board President and the Foundation Board Chair, will be the

public face of the organizations, key spokesperson, and instrument

for educating the public about the importance of architecture and

design.

Reporting to the BSA Board President and the Foundation Board

Chair, the Executive Director will oversee the staff, internal

operations, and programs. Working closely with the Boards, the

Executive Director will guide and motivate the staff and be a

leader who will serve as an advocate for membership issues and BSA

programs. A consensus builder, the Executive Director will be the

primary link between the Boards and staff and the overall driver of

the organization’s mission.

The Executive Director will be an enthusiastic fundraiser and

advocate on behalf of the BSA with civic leaders, practitioners,

academic institutions, the media, and the general public.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIORITIES

Champion the BSA’s values, mission, culture, and

constituencies.

Prudently manage the finances of the organization and ensure

strong financial systems and controls, working closely with the

Board Treasurers and outsourced finance partner.

Develop, hire, and retain high-performing staff and ensure a

collaborative, supportive work culture.

Forge mutually beneficial working relationships with both

Boards.

Implement a strategic vision that addresses revenue and

programs. Develop strategies to ensure the BSA has a long-range,

cohesive plan to achieve member-focused goals pertaining to

programming, education, events, and grantmaking that increase

member value.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with the BSA’s

members and constituents, particularly members that serve as

leaders of the BSA’s elected committees and knowledge communities

(volunteer committees). Collaborate with the Boards through the

promulgation of design excellence, advocacy, and continuing

education.

Play a critical role in expanding the BSA’s funding base to

best position the organization for long-term sustainability and

impact. Actively pursue membership growth and engagement of

leadership. Maintain the chapter’s preeminent position within the

AIA. Participate in AIA activities in Massachusetts and on regional

and national levels.

Develop and maintain strong working relationships with leaders

in government, design, educational, cultural, civic, and

professional organizations in the community – both in Boston and

beyond. Work to implement Board initiatives to enhance the

involvement and engagement of emerging design professionals and the

area schools of architecture in their activities and programs.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Executive Director should understand the Greater Boston

landscape and have a strong interest in and commitment to

architecture and design and the following experience and

qualifications.

Proven executive leadership, problem-solving, planning, and

fiscal capability as a manager within an organization representing

cultural, educational, or academic institutions with a focus on the

built world; able to represent important views in the areas of

urbanism, architecture, and design. Business and financial acumen

are necessary to direct a complex organization.

Experienced fundraiser with a track record of closing major

gifts from individual donors, foundations, government sources, and

corporations.

Strong interpersonal skills with high emotional intelligence

and experience leading and collaborating with staff and valuing

their work and ideas. A team builder who will seek to break down

organizational silos.

A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all

facets of an organization.

The skill, confidence, and political savvy to work effectively

with two separate boards coupled with the experience to create and

maintain constructive partnerships with a variety of constituents

including: donors; government, civic, cultural, and business

leaders; academics; and colleagues and partners in architecture and

design.

A history of effectively communicating internally and

externally; demonstrated ability to identify and capitalize on

public relations opportunities as they arise; able to build support

and consensus by listening well and synthesizing information

clearly to explain objectives.

Ability to think in highly strategic, analytical, and political

ways, particularly about issues affecting architecture, design,

urbanism, and the like; understanding of the public policy

process.

Entrepreneurial; willing to embrace changes and innovations

faced by the profession.

COMPENSATION

Salary range: $225,000 to $250,000

The BSA is committed to

maintaining a work environment that is free from any and all forms

of unlawful discrimination and harassment. It is therefore the

BSA’s policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment against any

applicant, employee, vendor, contractor, or client on the basis of

race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,

national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status,

genetic information, citizenship status, or any other basis

prohibited by law. It is also the BSA’s policy to prohibit any and

all forms of retaliation against any individual who has complained

of harassing or discriminatory conduct or participated in a firm or

agency investigation into such complaints.

Nominations and applications may

be submitted to Susan Meade and Addie Jones at [email protected] .

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