Chief Membership & Communications Officer

Position Overview

The Chief Membership and Communications Officer is a senior executive role responsible for guiding membership operations, governance support, marketing, communications, brand stewardship, and federation support. This position is expected to create a unified, high-quality experience for members across all points of contact while improving organizational performance and increasing the visibility of the mission. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in associations or nonprofits, strong executive leadership, and a strategic approach to member engagement, communications, and volunteer-led organizational models.

Strategic Leadership and Executive Collaboration

• Act as a key leader on the Executive Leadership Team and help shape organizational direction, operational alignment, and enterprise-wide strategy.
• Set the tone for a workplace culture that reflects the organization’s guiding principles.
• Encourage open communication, shared decision-making where appropriate, and strong teamwork across teams and functions.
• Lead the recruitment, hiring, and retention of skilled and diverse professionals to support effective delegation and organizational success.
• Support ongoing professional growth and cultural competency across staff teams.
• Guide department directors and managers to build a mission-focused, high-performing culture aligned with organizational principles.
• Coach staff to strengthen communication, teamwork, goal execution, responsibility ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the organization as a visible internal and external leader at conferences, industry events, and strategic gatherings.
• Develop emerging leaders within the staff and volunteer community through coaching and mentorship.
• Advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in team development and workplace dynamics.

Governance and Federation Support

• Provide executive direction for governance support activities in line with policies, bylaws, and operational structures.
• Work alongside volunteer and regional leaders to improve consistency, leadership capability, and federation alignment.
• Oversee educational tools, resources, and guidance that help volunteer leaders succeed.
• Make governance communications and support services timely, accessible, and centered on member needs.
• Look for ways to simplify governance workflows and strengthen support systems for volunteers.

Membership Strategy and Operations

• Lead the membership team in handling core membership operations such as payment processing, onboarding, renewals, member communications, and recognition, while also driving retention and growth efforts.
• Own the long-term vision for membership strategy and set an enterprise-wide approach to growth, sustainability, and retention.
• Design and deliver recruitment and retention plans using data, research, demographic trends, and member feedback to attract, retain, and re-engage members.
• Oversee all membership functions and ensure close coordination across membership services, communications, and governance support, while partnering with the Chief Experience Officer on member-facing initiatives.
• Create and implement strategies to broaden and diversify the membership base, reach new audiences, reduce barriers to participation, and increase relevance in changing communities.
• Lead the exploration, testing, and assessment of new membership models, participation formats, and value propositions to support long-term sustainability.
• Track and evaluate key membership metrics, including recruitment, retention, attrition, reactivation, satisfaction, and growth, and use the results to guide improvements.
• Partner with the ED/CEO, Board of Directors, and volunteer leaders to shape policies, programs, and initiatives that strengthen member value and organizational alignment.
• Serve as the executive steward of the Member and Leader Code of Conduct, promoting understanding, adoption, and consistent application of behavioral standards and accountability expectations.
• Oversee member accountability and conduct processes so concerns are handled fairly, consistently, and in line with values and governance requirements.
• Promote a professional, respectful, inclusive, and mission-aligned member environment.
• Bring the member perspective into executive decision-making and advise leadership and the Board on trends, retention, recruitment effectiveness, and future opportunities.

Marketing, Brand, and Communications

• Direct the organization’s global marketing, communications, public relations, and brand strategy efforts.
• Create messaging that clearly communicates the mission, advocacy work, programs, and broader impact.
• Oversee integrated communications across digital channels, social media, email, print, events, and public awareness campaigns.
• Safeguard and strengthen brand identity and reputation across all stakeholder groups.
• Lead storytelling and content strategies that build member pride, increase donor interest, raise visibility, and improve public awareness.
• Support crisis communications and reputation management when required.

Team and Operational Leadership

• Set departmental goals, operating plans, budgets, and performance measures aligned with strategic priorities.
• Ensure financial responsibility, accountability, and measurable results across all areas of oversight.
• Manage relationships with vendors and external partners.

Qualifications

The organization is seeking a seasoned association or nonprofit executive with substantial leadership experience, strong communication skills, and a proven record of driving membership, engagement, and brand outcomes.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary for this role is between $140,000 and $160,000, depending on experience. The benefits package includes employer-paid medical, vision, life, and long-term disability coverage, along with a 401(k) retirement plan.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a resume and may include an optional cover letter. The cover letter should emphasize relevant experience in association management and nonprofit leadership, especially work involving membership growth strategy, brand communications, and a commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace and considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics under applicable law.

About the Organization

This is a mission-driven opportunity with an organization focused on improving the lives of women and girls around the world through collaboration, purpose-driven leadership, and strong member engagement.