Membership Manager

Smithbucklin is a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market. We are looking for a Membership Manager to join our team in our Chicago office and serve our association management client organization, the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT). ISTAT is the leading global association serving the aviation trading and finance industry, connecting over 6,000 members worldwide through conferences, networking, education, and thought leadership.

About the Role

ISTAT is seeking a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented Membership Manager to lead its membership function and shape the member experience. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role will facilitate the development and implementation of ISTAT's membership strategy while leading the team, systems, and operational initiatives that deliver an exceptional membership experience. The ideal candidate enjoys transforming ideas into action and will work closely with the Executive Director, volunteer leaders, and colleagues across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Membership Strategy
  • Translate strategic priorities into practical initiatives, implementation plans, and measurable outcomes.
  • Facilitate the development and implementation of ISTAT's membership strategy in partnership with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and volunteer leadership.
  • Develop practical recommendations to improve the member experience, operational efficiency, and overall membership value.
  • Continuously evaluate membership programs, processes, and services to identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Prepare discussion papers, business cases, presentations, and recommendations for committees, leadership, and the Board of Directors.
• Membership Systems & Technology
  • Serve as the business owner for ISTAT's Association Management System (AMS).
  • Partner with Information Technology, vendors, and internal stakeholders to improve system functionality, integration, and business processes.
  • Ensure membership data is accurate, well-governed, and supports informed decision-making.
  • Identify opportunities to leverage technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve productivity, operational efficiency, and the member experience.
• Membership Experience
  • Lead the continuous improvement of the member value proposition and member experience throughout the membership lifecycle.
  • Partner with Marketing, Events, Education, and other departments to ensure a consistent and engaging member experience.
• Membership Operations
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of ISTAT's membership program, including membership administration, corporate and airline membership, member benefits, and customer service.
  • Lead and develop the Membership Operations team.
  • Develop and improve policies, procedures, and workflows that support operational excellence.
  • Supervise temporary staff and other short-term resources supporting membership operations, as needed.
• Mentoring Program
  • Lead the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of ISTAT's mentoring program.
  • Coordinate mentor and mentee recruitment, onboarding, matching, communications, and ongoing engagement.
  • Partner with volunteer leaders to evaluate program outcomes and recommend enhancements.
  • Monitor participation and success metrics and recommend opportunities for program growth.
• Volunteer Partnership
  • Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Member Services Committee.
  • Support additional committees and working groups related to membership and member engagement, including the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, ISTAT Awards Committee, Emerging Markets initiatives, and other groups as assigned.
  • Work closely with volunteer leaders to identify opportunities, evaluate ideas, and translate committee recommendations into actionable implementation plans.
  • Coordinate committee meetings, agendas, materials, follow-up activities, and project timelines.
  • Support volunteer recruitment, onboarding, recognition, and engagement initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Collaborate across departments to ensure membership considerations are incorporated into organizational initiatives, conferences, education programs, and member communications.
  • Support the annual budgeting process by providing membership forecasts and operational recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in association membership, association management, or a closely related membership-based organization.
• Experience supporting volunteer committees, task forces, or governance groups.
• Experience managing and developing staff.
• Experience administering or serving as the business owner of an Association Management System (AMS).
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, recommendations, and presentations for senior leadership or volunteer committees.
• Ability to leverage technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve productivity, decision-making, and organizational effectiveness.
• Willingness to travel a few times a year to support conferences, committee meetings, and Board meetings.

Benefits

Smithbucklin offers a hybrid work environment with in-office days established as Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. As a 100% employee-owned company, all employees have an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and benefits of ownership, regardless of position or compensation.

Pay

The expected pay for this role is $80,000–$100,000.

Schedule

Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.