The American Academy of Arts and Sciences seeks a Membership Engagement Manager to create and implement membership engagement initiatives. Founded in 1780, the Academy honors excellence and convenes leaders from every field of human endeavor to examine new ideas, address issues of importance to the nation and the world and advance the common good. The Academy’s more than 6,000 elected members include some of the world’s most distinguished citizens in academia, business, government, and philanthropy.
The Manager works with members and staff across the organization to develop, implement, and assess activities that increase opportunities for connection and involvement with the Academy.
The Manager reports to the Director of Membership Engagement and is part of the Membership Engagement and Events team.
Duties
- Maintain and advance relationships with Academy members, working directly with them to conceive of and plan meetings, events, and other activities.
- Staff Local Committees and Activities organized in communities where Academy members live and work: Recruit and onboard chairs and committee members, structure and organize committee meetings, guide committees in creating events and plans for engaging local members in their areas, develop and document best practices for the national network.
- Contribute to design and execution of virtual, in-person, and hybrid events, including the Academy’s Annual Induction Ceremony. Lead development of meeting content, incorporate topics of Academy work, assess audience, plan outreach, correspond with presenters and participants, provide on-site representation and event management, implement follow up, and evaluate programs for effectiveness.
- Develop, draft, and edit remarks for the President and other members, prepare correspondence, briefing materials, presentations, and reports that advance Academy objectives while ensuring a consistent voice.
- Propose and contribute content for the Academy’s digital and print publications and web site.
- Track member engagement activities, member service, and correspondence; gather, manage and analyze data; produce metrics and reports that demonstrate levels of engagement and areas for growth.
- Integrate diverse perspectives into all programming and activities.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 5-7 years of relevant experience in areas such as communications, member or volunteer engagement, project management, development, and/or event planning; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with evidence of progressive success and responsibilities, preferably at a foundation, higher education institution, or cultural non-profit
- Excellent writing skills
- Ability to build relationships; strong interpersonal skills, member-service orientation and excellent judgment; ability to comfortably and professionally interface with a wide range of constituents and to work collaboratively and effectively in a team environment
- Ability to develop plans and strategy; project management experience, organizational skills, initiative, and follow through
- Intellectual curiosity and the ability to engage deeply with the work of the Academy
- Attention to detail; ability to work efficiently, juggle competing priorities, and meet deadlines
- Resourcefulness, creativity, initiative
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), Adobe Acrobat, various document processing and database applications, Salesforce or other CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software; ability to learn related applications for event management, surveying, and email marketing
Location and Work Environment: This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Flexibility to travel (<10%) and work occasional evenings is required.
The Academy operates on standard business hours of 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Application: To be considered, candidates must submit a cover letter (maximum of two pages), a résumé, and a professional writing sample.
Writing Sample Guidance: Applicants are encouraged to submit a writing sample that demonstrates skills relevant to the role, such as event summaries, briefing memos, or other correspondence.
Academy Values: As a scholarly organization and research center, the Academy recognizes that diversity of thought, class, experience, sex, gender, race, physical or mental ability, age, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation is a value to uphold and is central to the mission and work of the organization. A more pluralistic staff embracing diversity of thought, approach and life experience fosters a more nuanced understanding of contemporary issues facing the nation and the world. Working together in a climate of respect and openness models the civil discourse that is fundamental to the work of the Academy. More information about our guiding values can be found here.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- 5-7 years of relevant experience in communications, member or volunteer engagement, project management, development, and/or event planning, or equivalent education and experience
- Experience demonstrating progressive success and responsibility, preferably in a foundation, higher education institution, or cultural nonprofit
- Excellent writing skills
- Strong relationship-building, interpersonal, member-service, judgment, collaboration, and constituent-facing skills
- Ability to develop plans and strategy; project management experience; organizational skills; initiative; and follow-through
- Intellectual curiosity and ability to engage deeply with organizational work
- Attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
- Resourcefulness, creativity, and initiative
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
- Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat, document processing applications, and database applications
- Experience with Salesforce or another CRM system
- Ability to learn event management, surveying, and email marketing applications
- Flexibility to travel less than 10% and work occasional evenings
- Cover letter, resume, and professional writing sample
What We Do
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an honorary society and independent research center that recognizes excellence and brings together leaders across disciplines, professions, and perspectives. It convenes experts to examine new ideas and address significant challenges facing the nation and world. Through multidisciplinary, nonpartisan research and deliberation, it advances knowledge and practical insights in service of the public good.
