Senior Membership Operations Manager

Department: Engagement

Reports To: Chief Engagement Officer

Status: Exempt | Hybrid (Arlington, VA, up to 2 telework days/week)

Salary Range: $80,000 – $90,000 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.

Position Overview

CEC seeks a strategic and detail-oriented Senior Membership Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day membership operations, including retention, engagement, communications, and data management. This role plays a key part in ensuring every member feels connected, valued, and supported throughout their CEC journey.

You will lead initiatives that enhance the member experience, streamline operational processes, and strengthen our vibrant community of educators and advocates.

Key Responsibilities

Membership Retention

• Implement initiatives to enhance member retention rates, such as member surveys, feedback mechanisms, and personalized outreach efforts.
• Analyze member benefits and utilization and proactively recommend adjustments or enhancements.
• Track renewal and retention metrics using data to identify trends and make recommendations for increased retention.

Membership Communications

• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to develop engaging, inclusive messaging that promotes member benefits and engagement across diverse membership segments (students, early career teachers, paraeducators, and experienced professionals).
• Continuously improve membership application and renewal processes across all member types ensuring a positive member experience.
• Collaborate on the development of automated renewal and onboarding campaigns.

Membership Engagement

• Collaborate with the Communications Manager on maximizing the engagement of the CEC Community (Higher Logic platform) in support of delivering a seamless and engaging online member community and experience.
• Collaborate with the Components Team to support membership partnerships with CEC divisions and local units.

Data Management and Reporting

• Partner with the Membership and Database Manager to ensure data integrity of the membership database and continually identify methods to increase operational efficacy.
• Regularly collect member data to monitor trends in growth, engagement, and retention, and use insights to inform strategy.

Membership Recruitment

• Lead the development and execution of targeted membership recruitment strategies to grow CEC’s diverse member base.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to create compelling recruitment campaigns and messaging that clearly communicate the value of CEC membership.
• Analyze membership trends and market data to identify and pursue new recruitment opportunities.
• Partner with CEC Divisions and local Units to support grassroots recruitment efforts and ensure consistent coordinated messaging.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of association or membership management experience, ideally in the education or nonprofit sector. Proven record of membership retention and growth. Supervisory experience preferred.
• 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).

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

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