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CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Member Relations Manager
Department: Institutional Advancement
FLSA Status: Exempt – Administrative
POSITION SUMMARY
The member relations manager (MRM) is the primary representative of the Chicago History Museum’s (CHM) membership program and must enjoy working with the public. S/he is responsible for the program’s overall development and administration, ensuring that CHM’s member base is engaged and growing. The role includes strategizing member retention and acquisition, reporting on member participation, analyzing and managing data, and collaborating with internal and external partners to produce meaningful programming. This position connects CHM’s members with the important public-facing and behind-the-scenes work of the museum’s departments, including collections, exhibitions, education, research and access, and curatorial affairs. A passion for building relationships and sharing Chicago history is essential.
PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:
- Implement best practices to steward and renew current members and encourage them to upgrade their membership
- Convert museum visitors and program participants to new members
- Conduct a monthly renewal cycle through email and mail communications
- Plan and implement two large membership drives per year
- Develop engaging events and communications that retain current members and entice new members through a variety of channels: onsite, virtual, email, social media and direct mail
- Manage the membership renewals and directories and provide event support for CHM’s auxiliary membership groups: The Guild and The Costume Council
- Build relationships with CHM staff, external partners, volunteers, members, and donors
- Work closely with other members of CHM’s development team to maintain a robust pipeline of engagement from visitor to member to donor
- Vet and manage relationships with external vendors for printing, catering, and other event-related needs
- Participate in networking meetings with our local membership collaborative
- Provide a high level of personalized service to members, answering inquiries promptly and professionally
- Provide training and talking points to the visitor services staff, who assist in selling memberships to museum visitors and engage with members at events
- Encourage member feedback through surveys and other means of communication, incorporating suggestions where appropriate
- Supervise interns on occasion
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Stay up-to-date on industry best practices through professional research, relationships with contacts in the sector, and attending training and/or courses as appropriate
- Proactively communicate with staff from various departments
- Lift, carry, and otherwise move and position objects weighing up to 25 lbs.
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified candidates for this position will:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in a related field (non-profit management, fundraising, marketing communications, hospitality, museum administration, public relations, etc.)
- Have at least 2-3 years of experience in a similar role
- Have exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Have a proven track record building relationships with a variety of stakeholders
- Be meticulously organized and detail oriented
- Excel in a high-pressure environment
- Have a background in customer service
- Have experience working with a CRM such as Altru, Tessitura, etc.
REPORTS TO: Senior Development Manger
CHM has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy requiring COVID-19 vaccination(s) for all employees.
This decision was made in accordance with CHM’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is as safe as possible during these uncertain times. We believe that adopting this policy safeguards the health of our employees and their families, our customers and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations.
