Senior Director of Membership

Our Mission : Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

The Senior Director of Membership supervises a team of five people to secure unrestricted revenue and engage a community of stakeholders who are vital to the institution’s long-term philanthropic strength.

The Membership team builds a pipeline for philanthropy focusing on visitor-to-member-to-donor conversation and long-term loyalty.

This position requires an ability to set vision and strategy for a significant revenue program, maintain a culture of data-driven management decisions, and collaborate across multiple staff teams to meet ambitious goals.

The Senior Director must also establish, coordinate, and monitor the participation of staff across the museum who do not report to the Membership team, including Visitor Services, Information Technology, and Marketing / Communications.

The Senior Director of Membership incorporates best practices and strategic analytics to advance operating revenue and support philanthropic relationships.

More than 50% of major donors to the Field Museum make their first gifts through the Membership program.

Strong candidates will be experienced in membership services, benefits, and pricing. Working with the Vice President, Director of Data Services, and the Individual Giving team, the Senior Director of Membership is responsible for maintaining the Field Museum as one of the region’s premier member communities.

The Senior Director of Membership is a visible leader within the Institutional Advancement team, reporting to the Vice President and collaborating with the Senior Director of Institutional Giving (corporate, foundation, government) and the Director of Principal and Major Gifts (individual giving, auxiliaries, major / planned giving).

Duties & Responsibilities :

Supervise the Museum’s Membership team (6 FTEs and several volunteers), which includes member appeals, renewals, and programming.

Maintain a focus on expanding member revenue, with a four-year objective of re-building Field Museum membership to pre-pandemic levels and $3 million in annual revenue.

Ensure membership marketing expertise is reflected in on-site, digital and direct mail acquisition, and loyalty / renewal programs that sustain a core, life-long membership.

Serve as a visible internal champion and diplomat on behalf of Museum members and the accommodations necessary to build their long-term loyalty.

Offer leadership to several signature programs during the year, including : the annual Members’ Nights program, an industry-leading tradition now in its 74th year;

members preview days; Members’ Holiday Lounge; and, member programs

Serve as a lead stakeholder in advising editorial decisions regarding In The Field, the members’ magazine.

Collaborate with several programs throughout the year, especially the annual Field Giving Day and Education Center’s outreach and overnight events.

Support staff familiarity with strategic analytics to guide management decisions about Admission pricing and innovation in customer service and amenities.

Establish an ambitious program of member / donor feedback and analytics to provide effective input for optimal management decisions and measure ongoing satisfaction and anticipate / mitigate long-term issues.

Work directly and comfortably with high-level Museum volunteers, including members of the Board of Trustees.

Participate in several cross-Museum coordinating committees for Attendance, Floor Operations, Campaign, Brand / Communications, and annual giving.

Participate in various projects, as assigned, across the Museum.

Qualifications :

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred

Previous management experience in a museum or cultural setting strongly preferred

High-level communication skills required

Proven ability to manage multiple projects at the same time

Ability to lead and manage cross-departmental teams; must be a team player

Ability to manage coinciding strategic and operational details

Proficiency in office technologies preferred

Experience with Raiser's Edge (donor database) strongly preferred

Proven ability to manage a team with sensitivity to institutional financial and operational goals

The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect.

We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.

At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at [email protected].