Vice President, Membership & Strategic Development

Aerospace Industries Association•Arlington, VA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Position Summary: The Vice President of Membership & Strategic Development will report directly to the Senior Vice President, Operations. The focus will be on strengthening relationships with AIA’s most significant members, stabilizing the membership function during this transition, and positioning the team for long-term success. This includes direct engagement with the $100K Club and all members contributing at least $50K, targeted new member recruitment, day-to-day leadership of the Membership team, and oversight of AIA’s sponsorship program. A key part of the role will also be working with AIA’s Policy Vice Presidents and senior staff to make membership a shared responsibility across the association. The VP will assist AIA leadership as they consider major changes to the overall membership structure and benefits, helping to gather input, test ideas with members, and ensure that any transition is communicated clearly and effectively. Key Responsibilities: Leadership & Team Management Provide steady leadership to the Membership Department, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities for each team member. Streamline processes to improve responsiveness and effectiveness. Maintain a regular in-office presence (2–3 days/week) to work directly with staff and colleagues. Member Retention & Engagement Build and strengthen relationships with members contributing $50K+, with particular focus on the $100K Club. Share findings from recent $100K Club interviews and demonstrate follow-up on member feedback. Develop tailored engagement plans that connect members to AIA’s policy work, councils, and major events. Collaborate with Policy Vice Presidents to align initiatives with member priorities and demonstrate the value of engagement. New Member Recruitment Identify and pursue new membership opportunities, particularly among companies adjacent to the aerospace and defense sector. Develop and deliver compelling value propositions for prospective members. Support the President and senior leadership in outreach to target companies. Sponsorship Program Oversight Provide strategic oversight of AIA’s sponsorship program. Align sponsorship opportunities with member engagement goals and major events. Ensure sponsorship offerings are clearly communicated, competitively positioned, and effectively managed. Coordination & Communication Strengthen communication between the Membership team and Policy divisions to ensure member concerns and opportunities are consistently addressed. Provide regular updates and strategic recommendations to the President and executive leadership team. Develop tracking tools and metrics to measure progress on retention, recruitment, engagement, and sponsorship performance. Carrying Forward Existing Work Continue the $100K Club project, integrating member feedback into engagement strategies. Provide input to policy divisions to ensure member priorities are reflected in AIA’s advocacy and program planning. Membership Structure & Benefits Support the President and senior leadership as AIA explores changes to the overall membership structure and dues model. Provide feedback based on member interviews, retention trends, and industry benchmarks. Help design and communicate transition strategies to ensure changes are understood and supported by the membership base. Transition Objectives Stabilize the membership function during leadership transitions. Position the team for long-term success through strategic planning and operational improvements. Ensure continuity of member engagement, recruitment, retention, and sponsorship efforts.

Requirements

A minimum of five years in a senior management role in government, an association, or aerospace-related corporation.
Ability to effectively market the vision, programs, and value of membership in AIA to maintain and increase membership including reaching and/or expanding into new or untapped markets.
A vision and the ability to translate that vision into programs that increase AIA membership including reaching and/or expanding into new or emerging markets.
Experience in developing and managing departmental budgets.
Superb interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collegially with others and with the highest standards of integrity.
Specific expertise in membership, business development, or customer service, including prior-supervisory experience in a membership-based organization, association, or aerospace/defense-related corporation.
Superb interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collegially with others and with the highest standards of integrity.
Demonstrated experience and success in the use of technology as a management tool.
Adept in motivating teams, fostering a positive organizational culture and employee engagement.

Nice To Haves

Bachelors’ degree in business, public policy, or aerospace related fields preferred

Responsibilities

Provide steady leadership to the Membership Department, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities for each team member.
Streamline processes to improve responsiveness and effectiveness.
Maintain a regular in-office presence (2–3 days/week) to work directly with staff and colleagues.
Build and strengthen relationships with members contributing $50K+, with particular focus on the $100K Club.
Share findings from recent $100K Club interviews and demonstrate follow-up on member feedback.
Develop tailored engagement plans that connect members to AIA’s policy work, councils, and major events.
Collaborate with Policy Vice Presidents to align initiatives with member priorities and demonstrate the value of engagement.
Identify and pursue new membership opportunities, particularly among companies adjacent to the aerospace and defense sector.
Develop and deliver compelling value propositions for prospective members.
Support the President and senior leadership in outreach to target companies.
Provide strategic oversight of AIA’s sponsorship program.
Align sponsorship opportunities with member engagement goals and major events.
Ensure sponsorship offerings are clearly communicated, competitively positioned, and effectively managed.
Strengthen communication between the Membership team and Policy divisions to ensure member concerns and opportunities are consistently addressed.
Provide regular updates and strategic recommendations to the President and executive leadership team.
Develop tracking tools and metrics to measure progress on retention, recruitment, engagement, and sponsorship performance.
Continue the $100K Club project, integrating member feedback into engagement strategies.
Provide input to policy divisions to ensure member priorities are reflected in AIA’s advocacy and program planning.
Support the President and senior leadership as AIA explores changes to the overall membership structure and dues model.
Provide feedback based on member interviews, retention trends, and industry benchmarks.
Help design and communicate transition strategies to ensure changes are understood and supported by the membership base.
Stabilize the membership function during leadership transitions.
Position the team for long-term success through strategic planning and operational improvements.
Ensure continuity of member engagement, recruitment, retention, and sponsorship efforts.