Director, Membership

NRECA•Arlington, VA

13d•$157,000 - $193,000

About The Position

NRECA is a unique national trade association providing advocacy, financial services and business support services to over 900 consumer owned electric cooperatives across the country. NRECA employees are united by our mission, inclusive culture, collaborative workplace and commitment to service excellence. As a “best place to work ” employer, we operate with integrity, transparency and a spirit of innovation. Membership: NRECA ’s Membership and Business Development department prides itself on service excellence. Membership is responsible for successful member engagement programs, effective membership operations and maintaining a robust membership database (NetForum). Business Development is responsible for cultivating long-lasting relationships with our service and associate members and delivering excellent ROI on sponsorship and advertising opportunities. Summary of Position: The Membership department serves as NRECA ’s primary gateway for member engagement, delivering exceptional service, support, and value to nearly 1,100 member organizations and more than 72,000 cooperative employees. We are looking for a strategic, member-focused leader who is passionate about building strong relationships, driving engagement, and leading high-performing teams in a mission-driven association environment. As Director of Membership, you will lead the strategy, operations, and continuous improvement of NRECA ’s membership programs and services. This role is responsible for enhancing the member experience across the entire membership lifecycle, ensuring data integrity and operational excellence, and developing innovative engagement strategies that strengthen member connections and maximize long-term value. Working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams, you will help shape the future of membership engagement while delivering meaningful results for NRECA and its members.

Requirements

Bachelor ’s degree in Business, Management, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of experience in membership operations, member engagement, or association management.
Proven leadership experience with a track record of developing and managing high-performing teams.
Strong knowledge of membership lifecycle management, engagement strategies, and service delivery.
Experience using association management systems (AMS) and leveraging data to drive decisions and improve outcomes.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Strategic thinker with strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management capabilities.

Nice To Haves

Master ’s degree in Business, Management, Nonprofit Leadership, or a related field.
Experience leading membership programs and teams within a trade association, member-based organization, or cooperative environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategy, priorities, and day-to-day operations of NRECA ’s Membership department.
Develop and execute member engagement initiatives that strengthen relationships and increase member value.
Oversee the full membership lifecycle, including onboarding, retention, offboarding, and dues administration.
Ensure exceptional service delivery and resolve complex member issues with professionalism and discretion.
Maintain the accuracy, integrity, and governance of membership data and reporting.
Develop and coach a high-performing team while collaborating with leaders across the organization to advance strategic goals.
Lead cross-functional projects and system enhancements that improve operational efficiency and the member experience. Develop and coach a high-performing team while collaborating with leaders across the organization to advance strategic goals.