The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) champions architecture and the built environment in Scotland. As the professional body for all chartered architects in Scotland, the RIAS supports its members and the wider built environment profession through a wide range of services and products including training and professional development, talks, events, and publications. As a registered Scottish charity run by and for its members, the RIAS supports architects and students of architecture in all corners of Scotland, in partnership with its six regional chapters. The RIAS also promotes the importance of well-designed buildings and places to the public, clients, and local and national government: from the prestigious RIAS awards programme which celebrates the very best of architecture in Scotland, to design competitions which connect clients with established and emerging architectural talent.

As the Head of Outreach, you will play a pivotal role in driving the success of the RIAS by spearheading the development and implementation of robust public affairs, policy, communications, and awards program strategies. With a strong focus on creating comprehensive consultation strategies and impactful policy campaigns, you will be instrumental in shaping the organisation's public image and advocating for our members interests at a regional, national, and international level. This role contributes to the overall strategic management of the organisation as part of the RIAS senior management team.

Key Emphases:

1. Public Affairs, Policy, and Communications Leadership: You will be at the forefront of devising and executing integrated public affairs, policy, and communications initiatives within RIAS. Your expertise and guidance will be instrumental in crafting cohesive messaging that effectively communicates the organization's values and positions to various stakeholders.
2. Strategic Consultation Strategies: Your role will involve developing comprehensive consultation strategies that engage stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including government agencies, industry professionals, community groups, and our members. These strategies will serve as a cornerstone for gathering valuable insights and building consensus around important architectural and urban planning matters.
3. Impactful Policy Campaigns: Leading effective policy campaigns will be a core responsibility in this role. You will harness the power of advocacy and communication to promote RIAS's positions on key architectural issues, thereby elevating the organization's influence and impact.
4. Widening Public Engagement through the Bookshop: The Bookshop Team, under your guidance, will actively contribute to widening public engagement with architecture. By curating a diverse selection of literature and events that celebrates architectural excellence, fosters creativity, and highlights the significance of the built environment, the Bookshop will serve as a gateway for the public to connect with architectural concepts and practices.
5. Running the Awards Program: You will be responsible for overseeing and running our prestigious awards program. This entails managing the entire awards process, from soliciting submissions, forming a judging panel, and organizing the award ceremony, to effectively celebrating and recognizing outstanding contributions to architecture.
6. Strategic Management Contribution: As a vital member of the RIAS senior management team, your contributions will extend beyond public affairs, policy, communications, and awards program. As part of the Senior Management Team, you will actively participate in shaping the overall strategic direction of the organization, ensuring its long-term sustainability and growth.

Person Specification – Head of Outreach

Essential Criteria:

1. Experience in Public Affairs and Policy: Demonstrable experience in developing and executing successful public affairs and policy strategies. Proven track record of engaging with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and the public to advocate for organizational interests and influence policy outcomes.
2. Strategic Thinker: A visionary leader with the ability to think strategically and translate ideas into actionable plans. Capable of aligning public affairs, policy, communications, and awards program initiatives with the organization's overall strategic objectives.
3. Exceptional Communications Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft compelling messages and engage diverse stakeholders effectively. Experience in public speaking, media interactions, and delivering impactful presentations.
4. Collaborative and Influential: Proven ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, and diverse stakeholders. Adept at building relationships and influencing decision-makers at various levels.
5. Knowledge of Architecture and the Built Environment: Familiarity with architectural concepts, practices, and the broader built environment. Understanding of key challenges and opportunities facing the architectural industry and the ability to advocate for its importance.
6. Public Engagement Expertise: Experience in widening public engagement with cultural or artistic organizations, preferably within the architectural or related fields. Proficient in utilizing various communication channels to foster public interest and appreciation for architecture.
7. Project and Team Management: Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan, coordinate, and prioritize multiple initiatives effectively. Experience in leading and motivating teams to achieve shared goals.
8. Organisational Representation: Proven experience in representing organisations at conferences, public events, and industry forums. Ability to serve as a spokesperson for the organisation and its core values.

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience in Awards Management: Previous involvement in managing awards programs, including organizing judging processes, and coordinating award ceremonies.
2. Media Relations Expertise: Experience in handling media relations and engaging with journalists to promote organizational initiatives and respond to media inquiries.
3. Knowledge of Policy Development: Familiarity with policy development processes and experience in shaping policies related to the built environment or architectural industry.
4. Network of Stakeholders: An established network of contacts within the architectural industry, government bodies, and related organizations.
5. Educational Background: A degree in a relevant field, such as Public Relations, Public Policy, Architecture, or a related discipline.
6. Commitment to Architecture and the Built Environment: Demonstrated passion for architecture and a genuine commitment to promoting its significance and impact on society.

Responsible to: RIAS CEO

Responsible for: Bookshop Manager & Outreach Co-ordinator

Benefits

Staff Pension Scheme with Royal London, 5% contributions by employer/employee, payment of professional fees, flexible working, minimum of 2 days office based, starting holiday entitlement 20 days plus 10 public holidays, Christmas, and New Year Closure.

Equality & Diversity

The RIAS is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. Our aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society, and for our members and employees to feel respected, included, and able to give their best and thrive.

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) champions architecture and the built environment in Scotland. As the professional body for all chartered architects in Scotland, the RIAS supports its members and the wider built environment profession through a wide range of services and products including training and professional development, talks, events and publications. As a registered Scottish charity run by and for its members, the RIAS supports architects and students of architecture in all corners of Scotland, in partnership with its six regional chapters. The RIAS also promotes the importance of well-designed buildings and places to the public, clients, and local and national government: from the prestigious RIAS awards programme which celebrates the very best of architecture in Scotland, to design competitions which connect clients with established and emerging architectural talent.

RIAS is looking to recruit an experienced governance professional. This post requires a highly organised individual to provide support to the organisation’s governance, legislative and constitutional matters, and to provide executive support to the CEO and the President, to ensure the smooth running of RIAS and Board of Trustees.

Full Job Description

RIAS is a membership organisation for architects in Scotland. We currently have 5300 members across 6 regions in Scotland as well as elsewhere in the UK and internationally. We are looking for an experienced Membership Manager who will help us manage all aspects of our membership programme.

The primary objective for the role involves maintaining high levels of retention alongside developing and delivering new recruitment strategies for members.

The role will also focus on developing membership journey programmes to ensure members receive top quality service from the Incorporation and that all membership processes are undertaken with efficiency, energy, and effectiveness.

The Membership Manager will also play a crucial role in promoting RIAS, and its membership offer, to our members and supporters. This person would be the first point of contact for members and so must be professional, a sound communicator and efficient.

Person Specification

This post requires an organized and enthusiastic individual with a minimum of 4 years’ experience of working in a membership role, ideally with 2 years in a senior role.

Essential

• To have experience of working in a learned society or membership organization

• Passion and commitment to the work of the RIAS

• Proven experience of developing and delivering successful membership programmes, that have increased recruitment and demonstrably reduced attrition

• Experience of creating compelling messages to different audiences

• Highly organised, with ability to self-plan and prioritise workloads

• A solid understanding of relationship building and how to create a compelling membership journey

• Excellent oral, copywriting, and communication skills

• Highly developed interpersonal skills including, communication, influencing and collaboration

• Effective decision-making skills

• Self-starter, able to work proactively

• High degree of integrity and professional credibility

• Good team player, with an understanding of the challenges of working in a small team

• Flexibility to work outside of office hours, and to travel within the UK as required

• Knowledge of how to use and optimize a CRM system for membership retention and recruitment

• Ability to understand how membership programmes works alongside digital and marketing campaign

Desirable

• Experience of working in architecture or the built environment

• A good understanding of the analytical methods used to measure and then increase engagement from members

• An understanding of current and emerging membership and marketing trends

• Experience of communicating technical details to non-technical people