Executive Director

AIA Akron and Design Ohio–Akron-Canton seek a resourceful, organized Executive Director to manage core operations for two professional membership organizations serving the architecture, design, construction, and allied communities of Northeast Ohio.

This is a hands-on, part-time association management role for someone who can move easily between Board support, member communications, event planning, sponsorships, financial administration, and day-to-day operations. The Executive Director provides continuity as volunteer leaders change and turns Board priorities into organized, completed work.

Position Details

Part-time: Up to 20 hours per week

Work arrangement: Primarily remote, with regular in-person events throughout the Akron-Canton region

Schedule: Flexible daytime schedule, with periodic morning, evening, and occasional weekend commitments

Reports to: The Boards of Directors of AIA Akron and Design Ohio–Akron-Canton, primarily through each organization’s President and Executive Committee

Compensation: $25–$30 per hour, commensurate with experience

Required Qualifications

• Three or more years of relevant experience in nonprofit or association management, operations, event planning, communications, marketing, membership services, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple projects, calendars, budgets, deadlines, and professional relationships.
• Excellent writing, editing, communication, and organizational skills, with sound judgment and appropriate handling of confidential information.
• Proficiency with common tools for email marketing, website updates, online registration, shared files, virtual meetings, spreadsheets, payment processing, and basic graphic design.
• Availability for required meetings and events throughout the Akron Canton region, including some mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends, with reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with membership associations, nonprofit Boards, sponsorships, or volunteer-led organizations.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Constant Contact, Square Online or similar platforms, online registration or membership systems, and graphic-design tools.
• Familiarity with the architecture, design, construction, or allied-professions community.

Responsibilities

• Support Board and Executive Committee meetings, including agendas, materials, minutes or decision records, action follow-up, annual planning, elections, officer transitions, and organizational records.
• Plan and administer educational, networking, member, and community programs, including budgets, speakers, venues, contracts, registration, promotion, sponsorship, event operations, and closeout.
• Administer applicable AIA continuing-education requirements, including attendance records, evaluations, Learning Unit reporting, and member questions.
• Serve as a responsive contact for members, prospective members, sponsors, speakers, vendors, allied organizations, and the public; maintain membership records and support engagement, retention, and renewals.
• Create and manage newsletters, invitations, announcements, promotional materials, sponsor recognition, websites, social media, registration pages, calendars, and email lists.
• Support sponsorships and partnerships, including outreach, proposals, invoicing, benefits, recognition, and stewardship.
• Support Treasurers with budgeting, reporting, invoices, payments, deposits, reimbursements, event closeouts, and recordkeeping in accordance with approved policies and authorization limits.
• Maintain administrative systems, contracts, shared files, account access, confidential records, and organizational data; recommend practical workflow improvements.
• Convert Board priorities into work plans, timelines, budgets, and measurable next steps.

How to Apply

Email your resume and a brief cover letter to Your cover letter should briefly describe your experience managing member-based organizations, programs, communications, and volunteer Boards.

Finalists may be asked to provide relevant work samples and professional references.

Equal Opportunity

AIA Akron and Design Ohio–Akron-Canton are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.