Director of Membership

Location: George Watts Hill Alumni Center, Chapel Hill, NC

Salary range: $80,000 – $100,000

Preferred experience: Minimum of five years in membership, development, fundraising or related fields.

To apply: Please send your cover letter, resume and references to steve_shaw@unc.edu with “Director of Membership” in the subject line for consideration.

Position overview: The Director of Membership leads the membership team to develop and execute strategies that acquire, retain and engage members. This role connects more than 367,000 alumni with The University of North Carolina through targeted membership initiatives, outstanding service and data-driven decision-making.

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Develop and implement strategies to grow and sustain the current membership base of 63,000.
• Set long-term vision and annual goals for the membership department, aligning with the mission of Carolina Alumni.
• Serve as an ambassador for Carolina Alumni, promoting membership perks and value.
• Continuously seek innovative ways to enhance the membership value proposition.
• Analyze membership data to identify trends and opportunities, optimizing acquisition and retention efforts.

Membership Services and Operations

• Oversee membership services, ensuring excellent customer service for both current and prospective members.
• Establish communication standards to enhance alumni engagement and satisfaction.
• Ensure efficient membership processing, including accounting, auditing and database management.
• Manage periodic dues adjustments for both annual and life memberships.

Marketing and Engagement

• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop membership marketing campaigns across print, email and social media.
• Oversee content creation and design for acquisition, renewal campaigns, member perks packages and stewardship materials.
• Build relationships with vendors and University partners to improve member perks and engagement opportunities.
• Partner with the programs team to integrate member perks into event pricing structures.

Special Initiatives and Collaborative Efforts

• Lead special membership-related initiatives, such as a brick campaign.
• Collaborate with departments on projects like oral history and alumni directories.
• Work closely with other Carolina Alumni programs to enhance alumni engagement and boost membership.

Financial and Administrative Oversight

• Develop and manage membership budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational goals.
• Oversee audit procedures, cash reports and daily financial reconciliations.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, develop and mentor the membership team, including coordinators and assistants, creating a supportive and productive work environment.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Membership Board of Directors Committee.
• Oversee staffing, performance management and professional development for membership personnel.

Alumni and University Relations

• Foster strong relationships across campus to develop and implement collaborative membership campaign initiatives.
• Build and maintain connections with alumni associations nationwide to exchange best practices and innovative strategies in alumni membership.
• Engage with Carolina Alumni/Dibbert Scholars to cultivate lasting relationships with the Association.
• Assist in developing materials for award recognition events and membership initiatives.

Other Duties

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the President, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to support the organization’s mission and objectives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., marketing, communications, business administration).
• Proven ability to lead teams, delegate tasks effectively and manage budgets.
• Experience developing and implementing membership strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends and make data-driven decisions.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Experience with membership database software and data management practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

This position has a hybrid work arrangement. Carolina Alumni employees are required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

This is a strategic, data-driven and customer-focused leadership role aimed at enhancing the Carolina Alumni experience through meaningful connections and valuable membership programs.