Status: Full Time, exempt
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer
Location: US-Remote
Deadline: August 23, 2024

About Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy

Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) is a growing community of foundation professionals and other changemakers working to advance equity within and through philanthropy. EPIP's mission is to empower emerging leaders and elevate philanthropic practice to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. EPIP has established itself as a leading network for diverse early-and mid-career philanthropic professionals, particularly those who identify as people of color, women, and/or LGBTQ. EPIP's 14 member-led chapters span the country and provide peer-to-peer programs, networking opportunities, and support while serving as platforms for member leadership.  National programs like the biannual conference and Philanthropology, coupled with local programming led by EPIP Chapters, connect members to additional support, knowledge, and opportunities.

EPIP envisions a world where people of all identities can live full and prosperous lives, supported by a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and effective philanthropic sector. As an anti-racist and inclusive organization, EPIP is committed to empowering staff to apply an equity lens to their work and champion social justice. EPIP is currently at a critical transition point of internal and external practice, process, and growth.  This is an exciting time to influence culture and infrastructure while championing inclusion and equity within the philanthropic sector!

About the Opportunity

EPIP is seeking a Director of Membership and Communications who is confident, curious, and tactical. They will welcome the challenge of building, implementing, and telling the story of an active and dedicated membership organization. This senior leadership role is responsible for developing a membership and communications strategy to strengthen membership recruitment, engagement, and retention while keeping members and the public informed and engaged in EPIP's work.   

As a strategist, communications architect, and executor, this person will play a critical role in taking EPIP's membership engagement and communications to the next level. This position will require travel to conferences and membership meetings throughout the year. If you are passionate about philanthropy and energized by the prospect of shaping the subsequently growing membership and communications team at EPIP, we invite you to apply!

Key Roles and Responsibilities

The Director of Membership and Communications will oversee strategies that enhance EPIP's membership, communications, and external brand.  The focus of this role anchors around three primary areas: membership engagement, strategic communications, and data management and reporting.  In this scope, the Director will engage with stakeholders to lead data-driven discussions to elevate member value, enhance awareness of EPIP's brand, and advance the mission.  The ideal candidate is passionate about creating and executing magnetic membership strategies, onboarding new members, and influencing sustainability through values-driven marketing.  

Membership Engagement

• Develops and implements a member engagement strategy to include new member orientation, benefits of membership, and alumni engagement
• Collaborates closely with the Director of Advancement to strategically implement and oversee the execution of the Institutional Membership Program, emphasizing the synergy between philanthropy and membership engagement
• Gather, analyze, and apply information about EPIP members to leverage new opportunities, expand programs, and improve member services and resources
• In partnership with the Chapter Liaison, uses insights on member and chapter data to make recommendations for new EPIP Chapters, as needed
• This position must have demonstrated knowledge of dues generation, event registration, and member invoicing

Strategic Communications

• Worked with consultants to develop and implement communication and branding strategy for EPIP and its chapters’ events, fundraising campaigns, and other special initiatives 
• Reviews and updates membership marketing collateral and activities, leading related initiatives as needed 
• Provides virtual communications planning and implementation support at major EPIP events (e.g., conferences), as needed 
• Serves as the primary point of contact for external inquiries from media outlets and other marketing-related entities
• Supervises consultants

Reporting and Analytics

• Serves as the lead administrator for NationBuilder and Salesforce, EPIP's current donor and customer relationship management systems, and revises and establishes training use protocols as needed
• Conducts market research to track and prioritize potential members; uses best practices to develop and execute innovative strategies to meet annual membership goals and understand phases of membership interaction (renew, leave, engage, disengage, etc.)

Talent Development & Organization Culture 

• Supports the creation of a supportive, collaborative, productive, and healthy work environment by modeling non-violent, harm-reducing management styles 
• Serves on EPIP's leadership team to help guide the organization's strategic direction 
• Supports the organization's commitment to justice, racial equity, and inclusion
• Develops, coaches, and supervises support team members providing timely, constructive feedback and encouraging their participation in professional development opportunities
• Supervises contractors and consultants, as needed

About the Ideal Individual

• A Persuasive Communicator. You understand and can communicate an organization's story in a resonant and inspiring way.  You capture and convey notable moments into words that produce vivid images and impact.  Leveraging solid and oral written communication skills, you can craft high-quality presentations and engaging media that explain complex concepts and create a call to action that is clear and relatable.
• A Relationship Builder. You love meeting new people and establishing relationships. With every interaction, you learn what motivates people, challenges them, and strive to connect them to resources that support their continued development and success.
• A Network Connector. You understand the power and potential of an engaged and well-connected membership base. You recognize alumni as potential champions and supporters of an organization's mission and an opportunity to foster near-peer connections with current members.
• An Insightful Thinker. You believe that we are living in a world of abundant resources and that the right team of partners can make incredible things happen.  You consider all perspectives, including and uplifting those that are missing, and strive to incorporate data in a way that creates connections, advances equity, and offers new insight.
• An Adaptable Problem-Solver and Systems Thinker. You identify solutions to obstacles with a positive attitude.  You embrace creativity, experimentation, and innovation, especially regarding technology and implementing internal data tracking tools. 
• An Autonomous and Proactive Leader. You demonstrate a high level of self-reliance, taking initiative, and maintaining independence in pursuing your goals and task completion. You willingly shoulder responsibility for your actions, decisions, and time management, driven by internal motivation rather than relying on external guidance.

Desired Qualifications and Experience

• At least 5-10 years of relevant experience in membership engagement, member cultivation, marketing, and stewardship or communications
• Commitment to EPIP's values, particularly social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and an ability to engage and support diverse professionals of all backgrounds
• Ability to manage multiple high-stake initiatives using practical project management skills
• Ability to leverage multiple communication channels, surveys and data collection techniques, membership databases, and website management
• Can proficiently recognize data tools and translate insights into actionable steps
• Possesses a background and enthusiasm for collaborating in a small team environment
• A strong eye for detail and a knack for data management, coupled with familiarity with Google Products (Drive, Docs, etc.), Zoom, Salesforce, and NationBuilder
• Exceptional written, interpersonal, and communication skills with a commitment to a high level of customer service

Compensation and Benefits

This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer. This person may in-directly supervise support staff.  This is a permanent, remote, exempt position that will be compensated in the $90,000-$125,000 range. EPIP employees receive access to a variety of benefits, from comprehensive employer paid healthcare, and more, designed to support the health and well-being of our staff (e.g, home office, internet, and professional development stipends).

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to move around a space when hosting or attending EPIP events and travel via ground or air transportation several times a year. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

We strongly encourage women, people of color, bilingual and multicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities to apply. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions. We encourage and will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. If you seek an accommodation, please advise in writing at the time you apply. Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) is an equal-opportunity employer.

Application Inquiries

EPIP has retained the services of McNeil Creative Enterprises to assist with the recruiting process. Click here to apply for the Director of Membership and Communications position. o apply, please upload your resume and a one-page cover letter that responds to the following questions:

• What draws you to EPIP's work at this time? 
• How might your specific skills and experience make you well-suited for this role? 
• What is your personal commitment to social justice, and how do you see this position aligning with that? 

You can email questions about the position and EPIP to [email protected].