At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices, working together, increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission. We welcome people from all walks of life into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.
Job Summary:
Lead all aspects of the Aquarium’s Membership department and program. Develop annual and multi-year strategies to grow membership and revenue, set revenue goals, develop integrated work plans and communications, and oversee the implementation of initiatives to meet or exceed goals. Perform other duties as required.*
*Please note that both a cover letter and resume are required alongside your application for this position.
Core Activities:
- Develop multi-year strategies to grow the Membership program and meet or exceed revenue goals.
- Develop annual and long-range program and revenue goals.
- Develop annual and multi-year strategies and work plans, including KPIs to measure progress and results.
- Lead the strategy development of multi-channel campaigns for membership acquisition, reinstatement, and renewal.
- Lead internal and external partnerships and strategy development; oversee implementation and outcomes.
- Oversee the execution of and direct member engagement, cultivation, and stewardship strategies, including ongoing strategic assessment of member services, benefits, events, and communications to strengthen retention and lifetime value.
- Provide strategic oversight of Membership back-office operations, including resource planning, successful implementation of all membership efforts, gifts fulfillment, and high-quality member engagement and services.
- Provide strategic oversight of the onsite (in-person) member experience and membership sales efforts, driving visitor-to-member conversion and delivering elevated service experience for members and donors at the Aquarium. Oversee operations for onsite membership team and service points, including membership desk, member entry/line, and the donor lounge. Build and sustain strong partnership with Guest Experience leadership and teams to align priorities, enhance service delivery, and improve the member and donor experience onsite.
- Manage Membership team; lead regular team meetings, one-on-one meetings with direct reports, and conduct annual performance reviews, including goal setting, coaching, and professional development planning.
- Develop and manage strategic engagement and partnerships with internal and external partners/work groups, such as Guest Experience, Marketing, Animal Care, etc., to build strong and effective relationships and collaborations. Work with the Marketing team to obtain regular market research and share with development division leadership team.
- Develop and oversee member- and donor- centric copy across membership appeals, emails, website, digital efforts, and print communications that drive engagement, renewals, and increased giving. Introduce and test new messaging and program ideas to keep the program fresh and responsive, incorporating member feedback and insights. Partner with Development team to align messaging, strategy, and member/donor journeys.
- Lead membership analytics and performance reporting, translating internal and industry trends into strategic insights and recommendations that guide decisions across all areas of membership campaigns and initiatives. Develop and deliver executive-ready reports and presentations for senior leadership, the Board of Trustees, and key stakeholders.
- Lead the annual Membership department budgeting and building the expense budget. Oversee budget management and forecasting, participate in budget planning meetings, and ensure the program operates within acceptable cost percentage.
- Provide strategic leadership for the Membership and Development CRM and CMS platforms, leading migration and driving continuous improvement to optimize functionality that strengthen and support program goals, data integrity, enhanced user experience, and operational efficiency.
- Partner with Development leadership team to develop strategy for growing annual giving and planned gifts through membership program.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
- Minimum 4-year degree; master’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
- Minimum of 6 or more years’ experience in planning and overseeing membership or annual giving program in a non-profit organization, specifically Aquariums, Zoos, and Museums
- Minimum of 4 or more years’ experience in managing a large, complex team and operations; managing individuals as well as teams through other supervisors or managers.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategies with proven results
- Experience collaborating with senior management
- Superb written communication skills not only for business, but also to create member communications, Board reports, and presentations
- Excellent public speaking skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, members, donors and vendors
- Ability to communicate effectively and react well under pressure
- Strong ability to work independently; setting priorities and managing workflow to fulfill objectives
- Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
- Experience working with database programs, Salesforce for Nonprofit, Tessitura or Raiser’s Edge preferred
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint
- Ability to work within and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Core Values
Physical Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions:
- Typical office equipment
- Constant sitting, standing, walking, bending
- Occasional unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs
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Typical office environment, main aquarium and exhibits, occasional offsite events
Annual Compensation Range:
$107,500-$167,200 USD annually. Starting rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set.
