Membership Engagement Director

Job Description
Title:  Membership Engagement Director
Location: El Cajon CA
Position Type: Exempt / Salary
Position Status: Full-Time
Salary:  $6,032 per month / Salary
Summary:   The Membership Engagement Director is responsible for growing, engaging, and retaining the Chamber's membership through strong relationships, meaningful connections, and a deep understanding of the value the Chamber provides to the business community. This highly visible, relationship-driven position serves as a primary ambassador for the Chamber and is responsible for developing prospective members, welcoming and engaging new members, strengthening relationships with existing members, and identifying opportunities to increase membership value and participation.
The ideal candidate is a natural relationship builder who genuinely enjoys meeting people, connecting businesses with resources and opportunities, and sharing the Chamber's mission. This position requires a strong business development mindset, but success will come through trust, community involvement, follow-through, and the ability to clearly demonstrate the value of Chamber membership rather than transactional selling.
Working closely with the President & CEO, Vice President of Operations, Chamber staff, Board members, ambassadors, and Membership Committee, the Membership Engagement Director will develop and execute strategies to achieve membership growth and retention goals while ensuring members feel welcomed, connected, engaged, and valued.
Key Responsibilities:

• Report directly to the Vice President of Operations and maintain regular communication regarding membership growth, retention, engagement, and departmental priorities.
• Collaborate closely with the Vice President of Operations and President & CEO to establish and achieve membership growth, retention, revenue, and budget goals.
• Serve as the Chamber’s primary point of contact for membership recruitment, engagement, and retention.
• Develop and execute strategies to grow Chamber membership and achieve established monthly and annual membership goals.
• Proactively identify, research, and cultivate prospective members throughout the regional business community.
• Maintain an active pipeline of prospective members and consistently conduct outreach, follow-up, and relationship development to convert prospects into members.
• Clearly and enthusiastically communicate the value, benefits, programs, resources, and opportunities available through Chamber membership.
• Develop and implement a consistent new-member onboarding process that welcomes new members and connects them with relevant Chamber programs, events, resources, relationships, and opportunities.
• Build meaningful relationships with current members and develop an understanding of their businesses, goals, challenges, and reasons for Chamber membership.
• Conduct proactive outreach to current members to encourage engagement, participation, renewals, and utilization of Chamber benefits.
• Maintain established membership retention goals through proactive engagement, relationship building, consistent follow-up, and demonstrated member value.
• Identify disengaged or at-risk members and proactively reconnect with them to understand their needs and reinforce the value of Chamber membership.
• Attend Chamber events and appropriate community and business events as a visible, welcoming ambassador for the Chamber, actively developing relationships and identifying prospective members.
• Develop referral opportunities through current members, Board members, Chamber ambassadors, committee members, community partners, and other business relationships.
• Create and implement membership campaigns, promotions, and outreach initiatives designed to generate prospective members and increase membership.
• Track and report key membership metrics, including prospective-member activity, new memberships, renewals, retention, engagement, referrals, and overall membership growth.
• Maintain accurate and current member and prospect information within GrowthZone/ChamberMaster and other membership tracking systems.
• Analyze membership trends, feedback, engagement, and retention data to identify opportunities for improvement and growth.
• Serve as staff lead for the Membership Committee and work with the Vice Chair of Membership to recruit and engage committee members, establish goals, and support membership recruitment, retention, referrals, and outreach.
• Develop strategies to effectively engage Board members, committee members, volunteers, and Chamber ambassadors in supporting membership growth and engagement.
• Regularly gather member feedback and communicate member needs, concerns, opportunities, and emerging trends to Chamber leadership.
• Collaborate with Chamber staff and outside partners to create and distribute marketing and communications that promote membership benefits, member success stories, Chamber programs, and membership opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the Chamber team to ensure events, programs, communications, and services provide meaningful value to members.
• Develop and maintain relationships with businesses, community organizations, economic development organizations, local partners, and other groups that can expand the Chamber’s reach and create membership opportunities.
• Stay informed about the regional business community, membership best practices, and emerging opportunities that may benefit Chamber members or support membership growth.
• Participate in professional development opportunities, when approved, and share relevant membership best practices, trends, and ideas with the Chamber team.
• Perform other membership-related duties as needed to support the Chamber’s mission and organizational goals.
• Conduct regular visits with current and prospective members at their businesses to strengthen relationships, understand business needs, communicate Chamber value, and identify membership opportunities.
• Develop a strong understanding of Chamber programs, events, advocacy, resources, benefits, and community partnerships in order to effectively communicate the value of Chamber membership.
• Develop a strong understanding of the regional business community and actively identify businesses, industries, and geographic areas with opportunities for membership growth.
• Manage the membership renewal process in coordination with Chamber staff, including proactive outreach, follow-up, identification of at-risk members, and efforts to address concerns prior to membership expiration.
• Celebrate and promote member successes and identify opportunities to recognize, connect, and support Chamber members.
• Represent the Chamber's mission, values, and brand professionally and positively in all interactions with members, prospective members, partners, and the community.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding member information, business information, and internal Chamber matters.

• Membership, business development, sales, or relationship management experience
• Natural relationship builder who genuinely enjoys meeting, engaging, and connecting with people
• Warm, welcoming, approachable, and outgoing personality
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly establish rapport and build trust
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent active listening skills and genuine curiosity about businesses, their goals, and their needs
• Ability to clearly, authentically, and enthusiastically communicate the value of Chamber membership
• Strong relationship-based business development skills with the ability to turn connections into membership opportunities
• Comfortable initiating conversations, conducting outreach, following up consistently, and asking prospective members to join
• Ability to identify and cultivate prospective members and maintain an active membership pipeline
• Ability to develop and maintain long-term relationships with prospective, new, and existing members
• Strong member-service mindset with a commitment to helping members connect with resources, relationships, and opportunities
• Ability to identify member needs and connect members with appropriate Chamber programs, benefits, resources, and relationships
• Ability to recognize disengaged or at-risk members and proactively strengthen those relationships
• Strong networking and community engagement skills
• Ability to develop community relationships, strategic partnerships, and referral relationships
• Comfortable representing the Chamber at networking events, business functions, community meetings, and other public-facing opportunities
• Ability to connect people and businesses in ways that create meaningful value for Chamber members
• Self-driven, self-motivated, and comfortable working toward measurable membership growth and retention goals
• Goal-oriented with a strong sense of personal accountability and follow-through
• Creative and proactive approach to membership recruitment, engagement, and retention
• Ability to develop and implement membership growth and engagement strategies
• Ability to work effectively with many stakeholders with diverse perspectives and strong opinions
• Collaborative team player who can work effectively with Chamber staff, Board members, committees, volunteers, members, and community partners
• Positive attitude and enthusiasm for the Chamber's mission and the regional business community
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to work independently with general direction while also collaborating effectively as part of a team
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and work effectively under deadlines
• Ability to handle difficult conversations and situations with professionalism and diplomacy
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate membership and prospect information
• Comfortable tracking outreach, prospects, membership activity, retention, and results
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRM or membership-management systems, and the ability to quickly learn new technology

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required
• 3–5 years of related experience in membership development, business development, sales, relationship management, community engagement, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with a Chamber of Commerce, membership organization, association, nonprofit, or business development environment is a plus but not required.

• Ability to frequently stand and walk for extended periods during Chamber events and community activities
• Ability to occasionally lift and move materials, supplies, signage, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds in connection with Chamber activities

• This is a full-time, community-facing position that requires regular attendance at Chamber and community events.
• Some early morning, evening, and occasional weekend availability is required.
• Local travel throughout the San Diego region is required for member visits, meetings, events, and community engagement.
• Reliable transportation is required to perform the essential functions of the position.