Membership Engagement Director

San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce seeks a Membership Engagement Director to grow and retain members through relationship-building and strategic outreach. You will serve as a visible ambassador, welcoming new members and strengthening ongoing member engagement.

Working with the President & CEO and staff, you will develop campaigns, manage a member pipeline, and drive participation and renewals. Local travel and events will be required.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3–5 years in membership development, sales, or relationship management preferred.
• Experience with a Chamber, non-profit, or association is a plus.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and CRM systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to grow Chamber membership and achieve monthly and annual goals.
• Proactively identify, research, and cultivate prospective members throughout the regional business community.
• Maintain an active pipeline of prospective members and conduct outreach to convert prospects into members.
• Build meaningful relationships with current members and understand their businesses, goals, challenges, and reasons for Chamber membership.

Skills

Relationship building

Member engagement

Networking

Work ethic

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

CRM systems

Job description

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.

Core Responsibilities & Skills

• Relationship & Business Development: Initiates conversations, builds rapport, and nurtures long-term relationships to drive Chamber membership growth and retention.
• Member Engagement & Service: Identifies member needs, connects them with Chamber resources, and proactively re-engages at-risk members.
• Networking & Representation: Serves as a public face for the Chamber at regional events, business functions, and community meetings.
• Work Ethic & Collaboration: Works independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders (staff, board members, volunteers) under deadlines while tracking metrics in a CRM system.

Job Qualifications

• Experience: 3–5 years in membership development, sales, or relationship management preferred. Experience with a Chamber, non-profit, or association is a plus.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and CRM systems.

Physical & Schedule Requirements

• Schedule: Full-time with required flexibility for early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends for events.
• Travel: Requires local travel throughout the San Diego region; reliable transportation is mandatory.
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand/walk for long periods and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds for events.