Digital Content Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

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 Sr. Manager, Digital Content, the Specialist helps create, publish, and optimize content across AIA’s growing portfolio of digital media channels. This role blends creative storytelling with strong content operations, supporting everything from newsletters and editorial features to social media, website content, podcasts, videos, and other digital products.

Working as part of a collaborative Digital Content team curating AIA Media, the specialist partners with across the Strategic Communications team to develop engaging content, maintain publishing workflows, and ensure content is delivered accurately, consistently, and on schedule. 

Job Duties

• Create engaging content that supports AIA’s social media channels, newsletters, editorial products, website, email campaigns, podcasts, and other digital platforms.
• Write, edit, format, and package content for multiple digital channels, ensuring it is optimized for each audience and platform.
• Develop graphics, photography, visual assets, and occasional multimedia content that enhances storytelling.
• Identify opportunities to repurpose content across AIA’s digital ecosystem to maximize audience reach and engagement.
• Maintain AIA’s editorial voice, brand standards, and accessibility requirements across all content.
• Coordinate the publishing of content across websites, newsletters, social media, email platforms, and other digital channels.
• Upload, format, proofread, and schedule content using content management systems, email marketing platforms, and social publishing tools.
• Support the production of AIA newsletters by formatting content, selecting images, conducting quality assurance reviews, and preparing content for distribution.
• Maintain editorial calendars and assist with project tracking to help keep content initiatives organized and on schedule.
• Organize digital assets, maintain content libraries, and support file management and metadata best practices.
• Ensure published content meets quality, accessibility, and brand standards before release.
• Collaborate with the editorial team to package stories for digital audiences and enhance content with visuals and multimedia elements.
• Assist with website updates and digital content maintenance.
• Monitor content performance and audience engagement, helping prepare reports and insights that inform future content decisions.
• Stay current on digital communications trends and recommend new storytelling approaches and content opportunities.
• Capture photography, interviews, and occasional video at AIA events, conferences, and member activities.
• Edit simple multimedia assets that support campaigns, editorial features, podcasts, and social media initiatives.
• Assist in developing promotional assets for podcasts, webinars, and other digital programming.
• Work collaboratively across the team, supporting shared priorities and helping move projects efficiently from concept through publication.
• Partner with colleagues across communications, advocacy, membership, education, marketing, and events to execute integrated content initiatives.
• Contribute ideas that strengthen AIA’s digital storytelling, audience engagement, and overall content strategy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Frequent contacts

• Senior Manager, Digital Content
• Digital Content team
• Strategic Communications team
• Editorial team
• Colleagues across communications, advocacy, membership, education, marketing, and events

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in content writing, editing, proofreading, digital publishing, communications, or a related field.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and organizational skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience creating and adapting content for websites, newsletters, email communications, and social media.
• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), email marketing platforms, and social media publishing tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Experience supporting website content updates and digital publishing workflows.
• Basic photography, graphic, or multimedia editing skills.
• Familiarity with newsletter development, email production, and digital communications.
• Exposure to analytics tools and an interest in using data to understand and improve content performance.
• Strong storytelling instincts and the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences and platforms.
• Ability to balance creative content development with day-to-day publishing and administrative responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues across teams.
• Interest in architecture, design, cities, sustainability, public policy, or the built environment is a plus, but not required.
• Curiosity about emerging digital trends, audience behavior, and evolving content formats.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing assignments.
• Commitment to learning new tools, developing digital skills, and growing professionally.

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Digital Media, Public Relations, English, or a related field. One to three years of professional experience in digital communications, content marketing, journalism, social media, or a related field. Relevant internships and freelance experience may be considered. 

Supervisory Requirements

None

What we offer

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

• Medical and dental
• 401(k)
• Flexibility
• Paid time off
• Parental Leave
• Flexible spending accounts
• Income protection- (Life Insurance Coverage up to 2x salary) & 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: N/A

Work Location:

100% Remote from the AIA Approved States: DC, MD, VA, 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

Applicants from states not listed above are ineligible.

This position will periodically be required to be on-site at the AIA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

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