Manager, Chapter Relations

Department: Government Affairs

Position Reports To: VP & Counsel, Regulatory Affairs

Location: Arlington, VA (Hybrid)

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems, autonomy, and robotics, represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government, and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. We pride ourselves on being the leading trade association serving a growing autonomous vehicle industry sector including drones, automated and remotely operated ground and maritime vehicles, and their related components and systems.

The Opportunity

The Manager, Chapter Relations supports, grows, and professionalizes AUVSI’s national network of independent chapters. This role is responsible for chapter governance, operations, leader support, programming quality and overall chapter health, while ensuring alignment with AUVSI’s mission and organizational goals. Our chapters play a central role in building community, strengthening industry engagement and extending member value across the country. This role is not a lobbying position, and chapters are not expected to serve as lobbyists.

Essential Job Functions

• Serve as the primary point of contact for AUVSI chapters across the South, Northeast, and Pacific Northwest, supporting growth in existing chapters and expansion into new regions.
• Provide ongoing guidance and hands-on support to chapter leaders on governance, operations, compliance, programming, and long-term sustainability.
• Maintain and evolve chapter governance resources, including bylaws templates, affiliation agreements, onboarding materials, and leadership guidance.
• Lead onboarding, training, and peer learning initiatives, including facilitation of the Chapter Leaders Council.
• Manage chapter health dashboards, reporting, and data accuracy; prepare summaries and recommendations for leadership.
• Support chapter budgets, programs, partnerships, and sponsorship efforts to strengthen local impact.
• Build and strengthen connections between AUVSI advocacy members and local chapters to increase engagement and member value.
• Coordinate internal communications and ensure consistent chapter messaging aligned with AUVSI’s mission and priorities.

Qualifications

• 3 years’ association chapter or volunteer network experience.
• Located in the DMV area.
• Experience with governance and volunteer leadership.
• Strong communication and relationship skills.
• Ability to manage programs, events, and chapter operations.
• Proficiency with CRM/AMS and collaboration tools.
• Experience with dashboards or KPIs.
• Experience revitalizing or restructuring chapters is preferred.
• Interest in drones, robotics or emerging technology is a plus.
• Experience with dashboards or KPIs.
• Our ideal candidate is Collaborative, structured, adaptable and mission-driven.
• Ability to work independently as well as follow an established process.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

Supervision

• None.

Working Environment

• This position will be based in our Arlington, VA office on a hybrid schedule (minimum of three days per week in the office).
• Some travel is required, typically up to 25% of the time.
• Attend evening meetings as needed.
• The office space is a new construction with a state-of-the-art anti-microbial air filtration system.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, walk, reach, stretch, and manual dexterity. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be asked to lift objects up to 15 lbs.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

As we lead our industry to new heights, our core values keep us grounded. They describe the shared beliefs and commitments that bring us together and make us a powerful advocate for autonomous technology. When we operate from our values, they inspire our daily actions, including the way we work with each other and the way we serve our members. AUVSI is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our team, partners, and members. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Join us at AUVSI and help shape the future of defense innovation.

Apply today at careers@auvsi.org and be part of the team advancing uncrewed systems and autonomy worldwide.