Position Summary:

Embodying a pivotal role, the Director of Membership Strategy leads the way in the day-to-day operations of the Membership Department. With a passionate commitment to growth, this individual spearheads initiatives to expand membership through Corporate Memberships and provides unwavering support to over 150 local chapters in individual membership recruitment. The Director of Membership Strategy takes direct responsibility for formulating a comprehensive strategy designed for sustainable membership growth and retention. Success in these endeavors hinges on collaborative efforts within the team, entailing direct engagement with local chapters, corporations, clubs, hotels, and non-commercial spaces. This collaborative approach aims to amplify the influence of the American Culinary Federation on a national and international scale, fostering a rich and diverse membership profile.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop Strategic Plans for Membership Growth: Lead the creation and execution of both short- and long-term strategies for expanding ACF membership, with an emphasis on reaching a more diverse and representative audience that aligns with the evolving culinary industry.
• Broaden Member Base: Create and implement innovative membership sales programs that target a broader range of potential members, particularly from commercial chain accounts, hotels and resorts, country clubs, and non-commercial service accounts.
• Drive Sales Cycle Initiatives: Identify and engage high-potential leads, initiating the sales cycle and promoting the value of ACF membership to strategic employers and key stakeholders in both traditional and non-traditional culinary sectors.
• Execute Targeted Marketing Campaigns: Develop and execute marketing plans aimed at chefs, employers, educators, students, and other relevant groups to enhance awareness and recruitment efforts.
• Forge Strategic Alliances: Negotiate and cultivate long-term strategic relationships with industry alliances to create opportunities for membership expansion and collaboration.
• Monitor Membership Sales, Growth, and Retention: Implement systems to track and analyze membership sales performance, growth rates, and retention metrics, with regular reporting on trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Report to Leadership: Provide detailed membership reports, including statistics, campaign updates, sales tracking, growth tracking, and retention insights to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and chapters.
• Oversee Membership Department Operations: Manage daily operations of the Membership department, including hiring, training, and supervising staff to ensure optimal performance and strategic alignment.
• Budget Management: Develop and manage the Membership department budget to ensure financial responsibility and alignment with organizational goals.
• Collaborate Across Departments: Work closely with other departments to support strategic planning, problem-solving, and cross-promotion, fostering a unified approach to membership growth.
• Enhance Member Value Proposition: Recommend, develop, and implement improvements to the member value proposition, including the introduction of affinity programs, to ensure ACF membership remains relevant and valuable to a diverse and growing audience.

Experience Requirements:

• Experience in sales with a proven track record of successfully closing deals and managing profit and loss.
• Minimum of 3 years in a mid-senior level management position.
• Preference for experience in member recruitment, group sales, or corporate relations within the nonprofit or culinary industry.
• Proficiency in executing multi-channel marketing strategies, including social media, electronic/web, direct mail, and telephone.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate sales cycles, nurture relationships, and secure corporate deals valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Capacity to generate innovative ideas for membership growth.
• Excellent analytical, planning, and problem-solving abilities.

Skills and Traits:

• Excellent writing skills with innovation, analysis, planning, prioritizing, and problem-solving abilities.
• Collaborative and mathematical aptitude for analysis.
• Positive, empowering, and supportive leadership style.
• Proficiency in the Spanish language is an additional asset.

Administrative Requirements:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Social media savvy.

Desired Traits:

• Initiative taker; outgoing team player; proactive communicator; positive can-do attitude; customer-centric; sales-oriented; patient; confident; enthusiastic; detail-oriented; organized; exhibits sound business judgment.