Membership Manager, IS-0301-12

Application Deadline: 3 August 2026

Department: National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Director of Program Management

Compensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / year

Description

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops a comprehensive membership plan that encompasses all aspects of the program, including membership acquisitions, membership renewals, lapsed membership strategies, membership processing, membership communications, membership levels, and membership benefits.
• Demonstrates a deep understanding of best practices in the museum and non-profit industries membership programs and incorporates industry benchmarks as part of the strategic plan for membership for the NZCBI.
• Maximizes membership acquisition and retention opportunities in conjunction with building and maintaining the membership program; leverages opportunities presented through NZCBI's new and emerging schedule of activities, including new animal exhibits, ticketed events, and other special opportunities.
• Incumbent is a member of the Advancement team and plans, tests and evaluates strategies to encourage additional contributions from members, e.g. special giving appeals, corporate matching programs and gift memberships.

• Develops strategy and guides execution of gift acknowledgments using knowledge of database system, fundraising principles and mailing operations.
• Develops a file of form letters by category and provides guidelines on the timing of mailings and approval of back-end materials.
• Possesses strong analytical abilities and uses knowledge of NZCBI's fundraising goals and strategies to manage the direct-mail program to review annual direct mail schedules, revenue projections, list brokerage recommendations and schedule changes based on external considerations and refers to supervisor for approval.

• Organizes the processing of memberships from direct mail and non-direct mail sources.
• Exercises in-depth knowledge of processing mailings, acknowledgments, planning and executing membership events, special events and handling membership service requests.
• Uses experience and knowledge of database structure and technology to access and monitor membership database and operations.
• Accesses database as a regular part of job activity in servicing membership requests.

• Coordinates with Smithsonian online fundraising unit and central Advancement Co-Op to work in concert with the systems and procedures developed for the Institution.
• Serves as liaison to a variety of consultants and vendors who work directly on the membership program, including direct mail consultants, caging services, in-bound telemarketing services, service bureaus, and others.
• Liaise with central finance and administration office to ensure accurate allocation of revenue funds through various sources.

• Manages development of copy, design and production of all internally initiated membership materials, for approval by the Director of Program Management, e.g. solicitations, brochures, invitations and promotions.

• Provides work guidelines and orientation for volunteers and contractors responsible for membership operations, including data entry, response to mail and telephone inquiries, production, supply purchasing, etc.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of advanced marketing management and organizational principles and practices along with planning and budgeting abilities to prepare short and long-term planning guidance.
• Incumbent uses judgment, originality and discretion in determining intent, and in interpreting and revising existing policy and guidelines. 
• Knowledge of the range of policies, regulations and standards within the fundraising industry, applicable to the administration of a direct-response membership program.
• Ability to develop detailed plans, goals and objectives for the long-range implementation and administration of the program, and/or developing criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program.
• Knowledge of and experience in facilitating all aspects of a direct response program, including collaborating with consultants to implement program planning and development recommendations, establishing procedures for membership processing, managing backend materials, enhancing customer service, and reporting membership information.
• The incumbent regularly interacts with professional staff of Office of Advancement and NZCBI staff of the Smithsonian Institution in related areas, contractors and representatives of consultant teams on direct mail, marketing, caging operations staff, et al. Strong interpersonal skills are vital to the effective interaction with membership, consultants, contractors, and staff to facilitate a direct mail program.