Director, Website Publishing

Function of the Position:

This is a professional position on the Communications & Marketing team, reporting to the Managing Director, Communications and Marketing in which the incumbent is responsible for implementing the content strategy for editorial direction and services related to content published to the AIA-branded landing pages of Hanley Wood magazines ARCHITECT, residential architect, Eco-Structure, and ecoHome to ensure the content of the landing pages is produced on time to complement the AIA-dedicated pages of the print magazines. Additionally, the incumbent serves as the online editor for the AIA website to ensure that the editorial development and management process results in content and multi-media offerings that are timely, topical, and relevant, in presentation and voice, across all aia.org pages.

Job Duties:

EDITORIAL

• Work in conjunction with the Director, Internal Communications and Director, External Publishing to seamlessly identify and coordinate development and publishing of content via the most appropriate AIA communication channel to maximize reach and impact.

• Collaborate with the Director, External Publishing and Director, Internal Communications to coordinate the editorial direction and content development for the AIA-branded landing pages, aia.org, and the AIArchitect e-newsletter to deliver thoughtful, topical coverage of the most important issues to the AIA membership.

• Work with the Director, External Publishing and Director, Internal Communications to establish and maintain an expansive editorial development pipeline process incorporating a robust review and approval stage for AIA leadership that is widely characterized as collaborative and inclusive of AIA staff, volunteer leadership, members, Components, member communities, and other AIA stakeholders.

• Ensure that the editorial voice, message, and style of the content posted to AIA-branded landing pages are consistent and align with Institute priorities and comply with all internal and public policies of the AIA.

• In conjunction with the Director, Internal Communications and Director, External Publishing, lead/participate in meetings with a cross-departmental content team to identify story ideas for the AIA website and AIA-branded landing pages.

• In conjunction with the Director, External Publishing and Director, Internal Communications coordinate editorial development in cooperation with AIA national teams, AIA Components, Knowledge Community Advisory Groups, member subject matter experts, and others as necessary.

• In conjunction with the Director, Internal Communications and Director, External Publishing, lead and/or participate in brainstorm meetings with AIA Component staff and Knowledge Community Advisory Group members to identify story ideas and news for the AIA website and AIA-branded pages.

• Assign and oversee successful completion of editorial assignments to staff and outside writers, monitor metrics and other reader feedback to inform strategies for increasing readership.

• Write and edit Web-style news items and features, and set and enforce deadlines and standards for creating content for the AIA-branded landing pages and aia.org.

• Review, edit, and fact-check all online content following the procedures developed for AIArchitect e-newsletter to ensure accuracy, appropriateness of tone and good journalistic style and obtain permission for use of outside material.

• Maintain a master calendar of articles, including tracking of story assignments, photography/art assignments, budget, and production status for each magazine.

WEB INTEGRATION

• Work with the Manager, Graphic Design, members of the Integrated Web Strategy and Technology and other AIA teams to prepare, and revise aia.org page templates, including selecting and approving images/illustration and coordinate with Director, Social Media for additional online publication opportunities.

• Use Search Engine Optimization skills to ensure that the content from AIA websites rank high in natural search.

• Work with the Integrated Web Strategy & Technology Team to define functional specifications for navigation and readability. Conduct testing to ensure site functionality/readability meets standards for public websites and monitor the process, production, and distribution of content and promotional materials to comply with AIA website content guidelines.

• Respond to online reader comments/questions and develop, maintain and oversee processes and procedures for gathering, creating, and producing content for the AIA-branded landing pages and AIA website consistent with the AIA strategic and operational goals, best practices, and brand guidelines.

• Develop and manage efficient procedures and workflows for the web content life cycle, including creation, approval, revision and removal.

• Other writing and communication projects as assigned or required.

Frequent Contacts

-Other staff of the Communications and Marketing Team

-Other staff of the Member Value & Communications Team

-Hanley Wood Editorial and Production staff

-AIA Elected and Staff Leadership

-AIA Component Staff and Leadership

-AIA Knowledge Community Advisory Group Volunteers

-AIA staff content creators

-AIA members

-Contributing editors/writers/photographers and artists

-Industry sources and subject matter expert/contacts

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities and Training and Experience

Excellent editing, writing, research, organizational, proofreading skills and interpersonal skills is essential. Familiarity with Internet communications, Web architecture and navigation, Web design and Web content strategies. Ability to meet and enforce tight deadlines. Strong organization and project management skills are required to oversee multiple projects simultaneously. Considerable knowledge of electronic publication process and website content strategies. Experience with using social media properties, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter as communications platforms.

Proficient in basic HTML and familiar with Web editing tools, such as DreamWeaver; experience using Web content management system (CMS) tools. Advanced knowledge of SEO and how to write document tags for better search results. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office, and Adobe InDesign publishing software as well as other supporting technologies, including web analytics applications.

Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, New Media, Marketing, Journalism, or related field plus 5-8 years of professional experience in an online communications function, journalism, writing, and/or editing in a non-profit or for-profit sector such as professional and business services and consumer goods. Experience working with member volunteers in a professional society or association setting. Knowledge or understanding of architecture as a profession preferred.

Supervisory Requirements-

None