The Architectural Association (the AA) was founded as a student-centred collective in 1847 with the aspiration of ‘promoting and affording facilities for the study of architecture for the public benefit’. Since its inception, the AA has grown into a substantial public association, housed at Bedford Square in central London, in its 142-hectare woodland site at Hooke Park in Dorset and represented globally through the AA Visiting School. Although it has expanded, it remains underpinned by the spirit of its founding ideas, and has become a community and culture, as well as an internationally renowned educational institution.

As a cultural and educational forum, renowned for fearlessly and critically looking into the future, the School has played a part in fostering some remarkable architectural careers and critical debates. Providing opportunities for discussion is central to life at the AA — the Lecture Hall, AA Bar and Terrace at Bedford Square have long been a hub for both students and the wider architectural community. This perpetual public forum is a vibrant testing ground for ideas and evolving projects. Moreover, as an organisation run for and by its community, the AA’s unique democratic structure gives all students, staff and members a voice and a vote in shaping the AA’s direction.

With the development of new modes of research, analysis and design, the opening of new facilities at its Bedford Square and Hooke Park sites, as well as the appointment of a new Director, Ingrid Schroder, in September 2022, now is an exciting time to join the Architectural Association School of Architecture.

The AA is looking to appoint several new independent members of Council, which is the AA’s governing body. As members of Council, the successful candidates will make a positive contribution to the AA’s mission to promote and afford facilities for the study of architecture. They will also be at the forefront of an exciting period of development for the AA, overseeing its strategy, direction and long-term future.

The AA is particularly interested in adding expertise to Council in the following areas:

• Legal: One of the successful candidates will bring senior strategic legal experience and be able to act as a critical friend to the Board and senior leadership. An understanding of charity governance would be welcome.
• Finance: One of the successful candidates will be a chartered accountant with strategic experience of budgeting, forecasting, and ideally managing investments. After a transition, they will go on to chair the Finance and Audit Committee.
• Higher education: One of the successful candidates will either have proven record of academic achievement within the domain of architecture, or bring senior management experience at a higher education institution, with a good understanding of the current UK higher education regulatory landscape.

The AA is a diverse organisation attracting students and staff from around the world. It celebrates equality, diversity and difference and welcomes candidates from all communities including those from protected characteristic groups.

Council is made up of up to 18 members elected from the AA membership, or appointed for specific skills necessary to support the AA’s vision, mission and strategy. The members of the AA's council can be viewed here.   

Council has a structure of four Committees:

• Finance and Audit Committee
• Degree Awarding Committee
• Nominations and Remuneration Committee
• Estates and Infrastructure Committee

Council members are appointed for an initial term of three years, renewable on mutual agreement for one further term of three years.

The AA Council meets six times per year. Council meetings are usually an hour and a half in duration, and are held at the end of the working day at the AA’s premises in Bedford Square. Council members will also serve on one or more Council Committees. Each Committee meets four times per year except the Finance and Audit Committee, which meets five times per year. As per the Council, Committee meetings are typically an hour and a half in duration and are also held at the end of the working day at the AA’s premises in Bedford Square. The role is unremunerated, but reasonable pre-agreed expense will be reimbursed.

Further opportunities may be offered to Council members to join advisory or working groups convened from time to time to provide oversight and support to key AA projects and initiatives.

Candidates will be UK-based and able to attend in-person meetings.