Department: Engagement
Reports To: Chief Engagement Officer
Status: Exempt | Hybrid (Arlington, VA, up to 2 telework days/week)
Salary Range: $80,000 – $95,000 annually

About the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional association dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. For more than 100 years, CEC has empowered educators and advocates through professional development, standards, and a vibrant member community.

Join a mission-driven team where your work directly supports professionals who change lives every day. Bring your story-telling ability, can-do attitude, and passion for our work to CEC!

Position Overview

CEC seeks a creative, strategic and detail-oriented Senior Membership Marketing Manager to explore ideas and opportunities for new campaign concepts that attract, engage, and retain CEC members. Through strong collaboration with the Marketing and Communication team, the Senior Manager will partner to develop and implement these campaigns. This position plays a key role in communicating the value of CEC membership and creating meaningful connections with members and prospective members throughout their membership journey and through a strong member value proposition.

The ideal candidate understands the unique needs of a professional membership organization and can translate member benefits, programs, resources, and opportunities into compelling messages that inspire engagement. CEC seeks a strong story-teller with a focus on data and strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Membership Recruitment

• Generate membership campaign ideas and value propositions that drive membership growth, revenue and engagement. 
• Partner with the Marketing team to develop and implement recruitment campaigns, including drafting messaging and engagement strategies.
• Develop audience-specific marketing strategies for key membership segments, including students, early-career professionals, educators, paraeducators, and experienced professionals. 
• Leverage membership trends, audience insights, and market data to identify new opportunities for membership growth and develop strategies to capitalize on them. 
• Position CEC’s resources, professional development, publications, advocacy, communities, and other benefits as compelling components of the overall membership value proposition.
• Serve as a membership marketing resource to volunteer leaders and provide guidance, tools, and messaging to support grassroots membership growth and engagement.

Membership Engagement

• Generate membership campaign ideas and value propositions that drive membership engagement.
• Partner with the Marketing team to develop and implement onboarding and engagement campaigns, including drafting messaging and engagement strategies.
• Develop initiatives that increase member engagement and demonstrate the ongoing value of CEC membership. 
• Identify opportunities to increase awareness and utilization of CEC benefits, programs, resources, professional development, and other member offerings. 
• Partner with the Components Team to develop and support membership marketing initiatives with CEC Divisions, Chapters, and local units. 
• Develop and implement strategies to maximize engagement within the CEC Community (Higher Logic) and strengthen the online member experience. 
• Gather and use member feedback and engagement insights to identify opportunities to improve communications and the overall member experience.

Membership Retention & Renewal

• Generate membership campaign ideas and value propositions that drive membership renewal and retention.
• Partner with the Marketing team to develop and implement retention campaigns, including drafting messaging and renewal strategies.
• Develop and implement data-informed strategies to increase membership renewal, retention, and lifetime member value. 
• Lead targeted re-engagement campaigns for lapsed, inactive, and at-risk members to strengthen retention and recover lost members. 
• Use member data, engagement behaviors, and audience insights to develop personalized and targeted communications throughout the membership lifecycle. 
• Collaborate on automated onboarding, renewal, and lifecycle marketing campaigns that strengthen the member experience and encourage continued engagement. 
• Monitor membership performance and campaign results, identify trends, and recommend strategies to improve renewal and retention. 

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of association or membership management experience, ideally in the education or nonprofit sector. Proven record of membership recruitment, retention and growth.
• Skills:
  • Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
  • Proficiency in CRM/database systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Experience with membership marketing, reporting, and data analysis.
  • Exceptional copywriting and editing skills.

Work Environment & Benefits

CEC offers a hybrid work environment based in Arlington, VA, with telework up to two days per week. Our team values flexibility, collaboration, and professional growth.

We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the special education community.

CEC requires employees to be vaccinated as a condition of employment (medical accommodations available).

To apply for this position, please complete this form: https://wkf.ms/4xL57as