The Boston Society forArchitecture s mission is to improve the quality of life forBoston-area residents by championing innovation in the builtenvironment with a clear vision to solve related critical equityand sustainability challenges.
The Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) is seeking acharismatic, energetic, and passionate leader with a strongoperational and fundraising background and a track record managingand building collaborative, high-performing organizations.
The BSA is a partnership between the Boston Society ofArchitects (BSA/AIA) and the BSA Foundation. The BSA operates as aconvener, collaborator, educator, and action leader to ensure thatthe power of design is fully employed in creating solutions thataddress the equity and climate crises of our time.
As a member-led association, the BSA/AIA is one of the oldestand largest chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).Comprising world-renowned architects, designers, engineers,builders, and other industry professionals, it benefits from acommitted membership who are some of the leading thinkers andinnovators in professional practice today. The Foundation is acommunity nonprofit organization dedicated to improving livesthrough design for all in Greater Boston.
The BSA delivers on its mission through two connected streams ofwork:
- Enabling architects to excel in their profession by offeringeducation and networking opportunities, and advocating for theprofession at local, state, and national levels.
- Catalyzing and collaborating on innovation initiatives aimed ataddressing equity and sustainability challenges in the builtenvironment.
These streams of work are synergistic: architects apply theirskills to collaborative initiatives, which in turn inform theirknowledge and capabilities. Both are designed to ensure a thrivingarchitectural community that is tackling the issues of our era.
The BSA s vision is to solve critical equity and sustainabilitychallenges related to the built environment. It aims to realizethis vision by activating its network of architects, engineers,developers, policymakers, community members and new partners towork together designing and testing solutions to today s mostdemanding problems. Its goal is to lift these solutions up asmodels that can be adopted locally, nationally, andinternationally.
The Chapter s members include more than 4,500 practicingarchitects, allied professionals, students, and public membersinterested in architecture and design. The BSA has an annual budgetof 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 willprovide the energy and leadership necessary to ensure that the BSAcontinues to provide a dynamic public voice in design, civic life,and the role of design in society and culture. The ExecutiveDirector s knowledge of the intersection of architecture, advocacy,and community engagement will be critical in leading theorganization with a deep passion for architecture, urbanism, andthe built world. The Executive Director, in collaboration with theBSA Board President and the Foundation Board Chair, will be thepublic face of the organizations, key spokesperson, and instrumentfor educating the public about the importance of architecture anddesign.
Reporting to the BSA Board President and the Foundation BoardChair, the Executive Director will oversee the staff, internaloperations, and programs. Working closely with the Boards, theExecutive Director will guide and motivate the staff and be aleader who will serve as an advocate for membership issues and BSAprograms. A consensus builder, the Executive Director will be theprimary link between the Boards and staff and the overall driver ofthe organization s mission.
The Executive Director will be an enthusiastic fundraiser andadvocate 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, andconstituencies.
- Prudently manage the finances of the organization and ensurestrong financial systems and controls, working closely with theBoard Treasurers and outsourced finance partner.
- Develop, hire, and retain high-performing staff and ensure acollaborative, supportive work culture.
- Forge mutually beneficial working relationships with bothBoards.
- Implement a strategic vision that addresses revenue andprograms. Develop strategies to ensure the BSA has a long-range,cohesive plan to achieve member-focused goals pertaining toprogramming, education, events, and grantmaking that increasemember value.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with the BSA smembers and constituents, particularly members that serve asleaders of the BSA s elected committees and knowledge communities(volunteer committees). Collaborate with the Boards through thepromulgation of design excellence, advocacy, and continuingeducation.
- Play a critical role in expanding the BSA s funding base tobest position the organization for long-term sustainability andimpact. Actively pursue membership growth and engagement ofleadership. Maintain the chapter s preeminent position within theAIA. Participate in AIA activities in Massachusetts and on regionaland national levels.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with leadersin government, design, educational, cultural, civic, andprofessional organizations in the community both in Boston andbeyond. Work to implement Board initiatives to enhance theinvolvement and engagement of emerging design professionals and thearea schools of architecture in their activities and programs.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
The Executive Director should understand the Greater Bostonlandscape and have a strong interest in and commitment toarchitecture and design and the following experience andqualifications.
- Proven executive leadership, problem-solving, planning, andfiscal capability as a manager within an organization representingcultural, educational, or academic institutions with a focus on thebuilt world; able to represent important views in the areas ofurbanism, architecture, and design. Business and financial acumenare necessary to direct a complex organization.
- Experienced fundraiser with a track record of closing majorgifts from individual donors, foundations, government sources, andcorporations.
- Strong interpersonal skills with high emotional intelligenceand experience leading and collaborating with staff and valuingtheir work and ideas. A team builder who will seek to break downorganizational silos.
- A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in allfacets of an organization.
- The skill, confidence, and political savvy to work effectivelywith two separate boards coupled with the experience to create andmaintain constructive partnerships with a variety of constituentsincluding: donors; government, civic, cultural, and businessleaders; academics; and colleagues and partners in architecture anddesign.
- A history of effectively communicating internally andexternally; demonstrated ability to identify and capitalize onpublic relations opportunities as they arise; able to build supportand consensus by listening well and synthesizing informationclearly to explain objectives.
- Ability to think in highly strategic, analytical, and politicalways, particularly about issues affecting architecture, design,urbanism, and the like; understanding of the public policyprocess.
- Entrepreneurial; willing to embrace changes and innovationsfaced by the profession.
COMPENSATION
Salary range: $225,000 to $250,000
The BSA is committed tomaintaining a work environment that is free from any and all formsof unlawful discrimination and harassment. It is therefore theBSA s policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment against anyapplicant, employee, vendor, contractor, or client on the basis ofrace, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status,genetic information, citizenship status, or any other basisprohibited by law. It is also the BSA s policy to prohibit any andall forms of retaliation against any individual who has complainedof harassing or discriminatory conduct or participated in a firm oragency investigation into such complaints.
Nominations and applications maybe submitted to Susan Meade and Addie Jones at ...@PhillipsOppenheim.com.