Development and Outreach Associate

The AA is an independent architectural school and an international cultural institution that serves as a forum for ideas. Being a major centre for debate, the AA offers an unparalleled public programme of lectures, symposia, and exhibitions, together with accompanying publications. 

Founded in 1847 by young architects wishing to educate themselves, the AA has a broad commitment to bringing issues regarding contemporary culture, architecture, cities and the environment to a large public audience, remaining focused on the education of architects; The AA campus is located in historic 18th century Bedford Square in London with a 350-acre woodland setting in Hooke Park in Dorset. The AA has annual revenue of £18 million, a student body of 750 students, 200 faculty, 90 staff, 6,500 members and thousands of visitors that come to engage with the most relevant debates in architecture today. 

The AA is seeking an entrepreneurial communicator with outstanding written and verbal skills to participate in the growth and development of the Architectural Association’s mission through fundraising and outreach strategies.

Role Overview

The Development & Outreach Associate supports the Architectural Association’s School  Director in all fundraising and communications activities for the organisation. In terms of development, the position supports the organisation’s major areas of funding, including individual, institutional and foundation giving, partnership development (corporate and individual), special events, and earned income. The position also supports all public outreach conducted by the organisation, including digital and print communications, website maintenance, social media channels, media relations, internal and external events and public appearances, and publications. 

The appointed candidate will report directly to the School Director and will play a key role as a member of the AA’s cultural life and management team, taking forward strategic development and outreach priorities, but also enhancing student experience, delivering teaching, research and communication resources and expanding local and international impact.

This position will work closely with the Print Studio, Digital Platforms, Membership, Visiting School, Public Programme and the AA Foundation and the Head of Finance and Strategic Development. Creative thinking and problem solving are essential skills for employees at the AA. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

DEVELOPMENT: 

Institutional and Foundation Giving 

• Develop with the School Director and relevant stakeholders an understanding of the overall ethos of the AA, its research agendas, and its mission and identify relevant development strategies 
• Draft and edit content for grant applications along with document preparation and general support 
• Development and maintenance of grant calendar 
• Develop and identify grant opportunities for students, academic staff and other areas within the AA 

• Draft, edit, and prepare documents for final reports 
• Acknowledge successful grant applications 
• Maintain files of all grant applications and materials 
• Research prospective grants and carefully maintain records in organizational database 

Partnerships (Corporate and Individual) 

• Maintain and update a current list of donors and ensure proper listing and acknowledgment

• Manage donor correspondence 
• Research and identify all institutional funding opportunities, cultivate relationships with foundation funders and program officers, prepare grant applications and budgets and administer grants received including individual, corporate, government and foundation funders.
• Work with the School Director on individual gifts to support bursaries, research, general operations and projects. 
• Proactively assist in the solicitation of new partnerships 
• Conduct prospective partner research and develop innovative ideas and strategy for the solicitation of new individual and corporate gifts 

• Prepare, execute, and oversee annual appeal mailings 
• Develop and maintain partnerships and events calendar 
• Coordinate planning and execution of all partnership events 
• Ensure schedule and all elements of the partnership agreement are fulfilled 
• Conduct up-to-date research and reports regarding potential development, improvements, changes, or needs regarding the structure and content of the organization’s partnership program 
• Maintain and manage AA’s database system to track and acknowledge gifts, donor histories, and profiles 
• Research prospective donors and carefully maintain their records in the organisation’s database 

• Prepare and send acknowledgment letters for all contributions in a timely manner. 

Special Events 

• Develop a strategic plan with the School Director and all the relevant departments for all special events 
• Plan, organize and implement all special events.  This includes identifying and setting strategic event goals, researching and securing venues, negotiating contracts with vendors (caterers, lighting, audio, rentals, entertainers etc.),  securing event sponsorships and in-kind donations, managing event budgets and preparing income reports, soliciting benefit event chairs and committee members where appropriate, coordinating the production and distribution of print and electronic invitations, managing the marketing of events through e-blasts, listings, website postings and social networking, creating and maintaining event guest lists, and managing event staff and volunteers. 

• Oversee and secure online presence of all events 
• Develop strong public relations and outreach for special events 
• Coordinate and implement proactive outreach strategies targeted towards existing and new potential event sponsors interested in the fields of architecture
• Track all income received through special events and ensure all gifts are properly acknowledged 
• Coordinate staff efforts and roles for all events; draft and distribute logistics memos to all staff and interns prior to events 

• Solicit in-kind donations for all events 
• Assist in the planning of cultivation and stewardship events, including lectures, symposia, exhibition openings, post-event dinners, and donor receptions 
• Create and present evaluations and analysis of all events 

Earned Income 

• Work with the AA Bookstore to drive in-gallery book sales 
• Work with the AA Bar to drive in new visitors and members 
• Manage space rental requests 
• Prepare invoices for outstanding pledged income 

• Maintain development files, records, and archive 
• Develop initiatives for the production of art works and maintain inventory of work available for sale in AA’s Auctions collection 
• Make recommendations to the School Director on additional ways to secure earned income throughout the school 

OUTREACH: 

Email and Print Communications 

• Coordinate the design, production, and dissemination of AA's printed materials (AA Publications and external school communication) and digital communications (web postings and e-blasts). 
• Oversee the preparation, copy editing and distribution of all press and outreach materials for all printed materials, including academic materials, publications, exhibitions, projects and special events. This includes developing marketing plans where appropriate, and distributing press releases, website content, email blasts, newsprints, advertisements, and any social media content. 
• Develop a style guide and ensure all staff are consistent in their communications and styles and is responsible for, in conjunction with the School Director, updating/editing the guide as needed and informing the staff of any changes.
• Work with all departments and edit texts, academic texts, curatorial statements, exhibition descriptions, and other programmatic texts for print and electronic materials 
• With the Digital Platforms Department, analyse web and email stats quarterly, and generate full reports and evaluations to be reviewed by the School Director.

Website Maintenance 

• Serve as webmaster and editor of AA’s website establishing an editorial voice throughout following the style guide 

Social Media Channels 

• Develop daily social media outreach statements and mentions 
• Maintain social media calendar 

Media Relations 

• Manage press tracking and press archiving 
• Serve as primary liaison for press requests (images, captioning, curatorial quotes, etc.) 
• Produce and develop media relationships in relationship to research agendas, exhibitions, and programs developed throughout the calendar year 

Internal and External Events and Public Appearances 

• Work with the Photo Studio and the Video Department and coordinate the documentation of all AA exhibitions, events, and programs, ensuring all programmes are photographed digitally, videotaped, and live-streamed 

• Assemble informational/institutional packets for events and meetings 
• Develop and maintain lists of existing and potential public appearances, conference, and opportunities for external engagement for AA key staff, students, and academic staff. 

Publications 

• Promote and drive sales of AA Publications 

• Arrange book sales at the AA School Director’s and AA staff lectures internationally 

EXECUTIVE SUPPORT: 

Governance 

• Work with the School Director and prepare materials for meetings, including agendas, minutes, and financial and programmatic reports related to Development and Outreach 

Assistance to the School Director 

• Work with the School Director’s PA in managing and maintaining the Director’s schedule of lectures, events, and projects 
• Schedule strategic meetings with press, donors, scholars and other relevant stakeholders and coordinate attendance considering various individual schedules 

GENERAL: 

• Hire and manage all Development and Communication interns; supervise departmental assistants, interns, and other team members as required 

• Participate in development planning and strategy meetings 
• Represent and promote the mission and vision of the AA to the public 
• Attend programs and events as required 
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications/Experience

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic figure with a knowledge and understanding of architecture, educational or non-profit environments and cultural institutions and platforms. The candidate should be able to simultaneously work on excel documents and editorial content for social media posts with equal passion. S/he will be brilliant, quick, flexible, team-oriented, affable, and well-rounded. The candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and will be able to quickly develop appropriate relationships with AA members, staff, students, academic staff, individual donors, corporate sponsors, and the press, among other audiences. S/he will have strong negotiation skills, as well as superior verbal and written communication skills. S/he will have an entrepreneurial spirit and a demonstrated ability to think creatively in order to achieve communications and development goals. Ideal candidates will hold a Bachelor or Master’s degree in a related field, with knowledge and/or interest in management and arts administration in non-profit environments. 

Skills 

• Outstanding written communication skills, including drafting content, editing, and proofreading in English. Proficiency in other languages is a distinct advantage. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with diverse individuals and groups. 
• Strong organisational and time-management skills with impeccable attention to detail. 

• High energy, creative thinking, and a team-player attitude. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, CRM and database software, website and social media channels, and basic HTML (preferred) 
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), and PowerPoint/Keynote.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment that changes regularly based on programming. 

What We Offer 

Salary is commensurable to experience and is complemented with a generous holiday and a defined-contribution pension scheme. 

How to Apply 

Email a one-page statement of interest along with your CV and salary expectations  clearly stating the job title in the heading 
 

Please note the first phase of applications will be assessed on the 8th September 2018 although applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. You will only be contacted if you are short-listed to attend an interview. 

To learn more about the AA, visit our website and thank you for your interest in the AA and this role

 The Architectural Association School of Architecture aims to create conditions that ensure staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of their gender, race, religious/political beliefs, ethnic or national origin, disability, family background, age, sexual orientation, or other irrelevant distinction.