Membership and Marketing Manager

Position: Membership and Marketing Manager

Employee Type: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

Reports To: Director of Development

Work Schedule: Monday—Friday, 10:30am —6:30pm; weekend and evening hours occasionally required; primarily in person with some hybrid flexibility

Salary: Starts at $63,000

Overview

The Center for Fiction encourages people to read and value fiction and to support and celebrate its creation and enjoyment. Founded in 1821 as the Mercantile Library Association of New York, we have been an anchor of the New York City literary community for more than 200 years. We unite readers and writers of all ages and backgrounds in a diverse community with a shared passion for fiction. Our work centers on public events, educational programming, a fiction library, fellowships, and awards. As a nonprofit organization, our programs further the continued creation and enjoyment of fiction, and assure a strong future for storytelling across boundaries of identity and experience.

The Membership and Marketing Manager will oversee the membership and marketing programs at The Center for Fiction, increase philanthropic support, and amplify all of The Center’s nonprofit programming and retail operations, driving community interaction and revenue. With the support of the Membership Assistant, the Membership and Marketing Manager is responsible for the continued growth and engagement of our membership community. In partnership with the Director of Development and in collaboration with the Art Director, the Membership and Marketing Manager stewards The Center’s voice, messaging, and identity in all marketing and communications, and increases audience and engagement. This role requires creative thinking and practical implementation.

This is a full-time position based in New York City reporting to the Director of Development. The benefits package includes health insurance/dental/vision, 401(K) employer-sponsored plan, and paid time off.

Responsibilities

The Membership and Marketing Manager will be responsible for:

Membership Growth and Stewardship

• In close partnership with the Director of Development, design and implement membership strategies that grow revenue and deepen engagement among The Center’s member community
• Create and manage membership recruitment efforts, including year-round prospective member outreach and two dedicated seasonal membership drives each year
• Engages in thoughtful membership engagement and renewal processes to drive strong multi-year member retention
• Partner with library and with colleagues across programs and departments to ensure effective communication with current and prospective members and meaningful member engagement opportunities
• Develop and oversee open houses and member events

Cultivation and Development

• Partner with the Director of Development to grow philanthropic support for The Center
• Engage regularly with the Director of Development to identify prospective supporters and cultivate new and prospective donors
• Collaborate with colleagues on the Development team and Art Director to create messaging, materials, and marketing collateral in support of fundraising programs and cultivation events
• Support annual First Novel Fete, active in all aspects of planning and event execution
• Support other development programs at the discretion of the Director of Development

Marketing and Communications Strategy and Implementation

In partnership with the Director of Development and the Art Director

• Create and implement effective campaigns for events, programs, and workshops throughout the year to drive revenue and participation. Partner with program leads on strategy and messaging for marketing and revenue generation.
• Adapt and refine promotional campaigns to reach key audiences
• Convey key organizational messaging, success stories, and information to a wide variety of constituents through marketing and development projects
• Alongside Art Director, co-create and administer communications; Draft language and review content for all communications, including website, emails, and social media
• Manages the organization’s social media accounts, including creating content and engaging with audiences
• Grows audience across website, emails, and social media channels
• Proactively identifies, seeks out, and engages new audiences
• Explores creative, strategic marketing approaches and avenues
• Attends The Center’s programs regularly to continually hone understanding of our programs and their current and prospective audiences
• Utilizes social media, email, and other channels to amplify our story and to communicate and promote our impact and programs, including our membership library, our events and educational offerings, our support for writers, our bookstore and cafe, and our diverse community of readers and writers
• Oversee advertising and press and media outreach
• Develops and manages strategic partnerships to help increase visibility for The Center and its programming

Effective Team Engagement

• Partner closely with the Director of Development and the Art Director to ensure consistent and effective voice, messaging, and identity in all The Center’s communications and marketing, and to increase visibility for The Center
• Collaborative thought partner for program leaders across the organization on marketing strategy and implementation to drive program revenue
• Supervise the part-time Membership Assistant, offering effective mentorship, guidance, and oversight in support of key programmatic and organizational priorities

Data-Driven Analysis

• Oversee maintenance of accurate and up-to-date membership records and outreach mailing lists in The Center’s database and communications software
• Monitor data and trends in membership, marketing, and program participation, as a driver of approach and strategy
• Engage in routine data analysis and provide regular reports and data-driven recommendations for Director of Development and other senior leadership

Ideal Candidate

• Has excellent communication, interpersonal, and management skills, along with a passion for writing and the art of fiction
• Is an experienced membership and marketing professional with a track record of success in driving revenue, increasing membership and audiences, and growing engagement
• Values diversity of thought, backgrounds and perspectives
• Committed to the experiences of those from historically marginalized groups, as well as an understanding of the challenges facing Black, Indigenous, People of Color
• Thinks creatively and analytically, is a strong communicator and writer
• Is organized, self-motivated, and experienced in managing an active marketing and communications calendar
• Collaborative team member experienced in supporting the work of several departments, extremely collegial
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and good judgment
• Is excited about The Center’s mission and programming, and understands the power of storytelling

Qualifications

• 3–5 years experience in professional marketing, communications, and membership, preferably at a nonprofit and/or an arts and cultural organization
• Professional experience marketing on behalf of an organization, company, or brand
• Experience administering a nonprofit membership program
• Demonstrated success in driving revenue and growing philanthropic support
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including relationship-building
• Outstanding oral and written communication ability
• Fluency in utilizing databases, CRMs, and the backend of a website (WordPress experience preferred)
• Excellent grammar, spelling, copyediting, and attention to detail
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, literature, journalism, creative writing, or related field, or equivalent experience
• Management experience preferred