Director, Membership Growth & Engagement

Job Title: Director, Membership Growth and Engagement
Location: Remote
Reports to: Sr. Director, Professional Programs
Travel: Up to 10% (NKF Spring Clinical Meetings and select professional conferences)
WHO WE ARE
Fueled by passion and urgency, National Kidney Foundation is a lifeline for all people affected by kidney disease. As pioneers of scientific research and innovation, NKF focuses on the whole patient through the lens of kidney health. Relentless in our work, we enhance lives through action, education, and accelerating change.
WHAT WE BELIEVE IN
NKF’s Mission is what we do, our Values are how we do it.
Accountability- Earn and Keep Trust
Collaboration-Work as a team
Communication- Empower with information
Community-Build stronger community
Compassion- Lead with care and respect
Impact-Focus on the mission
Your Voice Matters: https://www.kidney.org/about/diversity-equity-inclusion
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the premier professional home for the nephrology community—nurses, technicians, dietitians, social workers, advanced practice providers, physicians, pharmacists, and the trainees who will lead the field next. NKF has redesigned its Professional Programs model to strengthen and modernize professional membership for growth, and is seeking a Director, Membership Growth and Engagement to own the strategy, performance, and member experience of NKF Professional Membership across the full member lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, engagement, renewal, and retention.
Reporting to the Sr. Director, Professional Programs, the Director sets the membership growth agenda, leads a two-person membership team, and is accountable for membership growth, retention, engagement, and dues revenue results. The Director will translate membership data, market trends, and member insights into a compelling value proposition and a disciplined, measurable growth plan, and will partner across NKF—education, advocacy, marketing, field offices, and Scientific Activities—so that membership value is embedded in everything NKF offers professionals.
The ideal candidate has a track record of measurable membership growth within a professional association, medical or health professional society, or similar membership organization; is fluent in membership analytics, lifecycle marketing, and association management systems; and brings a builder’s mindset and creative, critical thinking to a newly redesigned model.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy and Growth
Own and deliver NKF’s professional membership growth strategy and annual plan, with clear targets for new-member acquisition, first-year and overall retention, member engagement, and dues revenue
Define, refresh, and articulate the Professional Membership value proposition by segment (discipline, career stage, and practice setting), and recommend membership model, tiering, and dues strategies that expand reach and revenue
Identify and cultivate new growth channels, including underserved professional segments, institutional and group memberships with health systems, dialysis organizations, and academic programs, and partnerships with allied organizations
Monitor market trends, peer-society offerings, and workforce shifts in nephrology to inform strategy, anticipate risk, and position NKF competitively
Member Lifecycle and Engagement
Design and execute an integrated lifecycle program: targeted recruitment campaigns, structured new-member onboarding, ongoing engagement, multi-touch renewal, and reinstatement and win-back outreach
Build a durable pipeline from trainee to active professional member, including graduation-conversion strategies and early-career programming
Lead the overall member engagement portfolio, including member-exclusive content, resources, and networking in the NKF Member Hub; the semiannual members-only
Professional Membership webinar; and Professional Membership promotion at the NKF Spring Clinical Meetings, NKF’s premier annual educational event
Establish a member listening system (surveys, advisory input, and feedback loops) and use it to continuously improve the member experience and drive satisfaction and loyalty
Data, Analytics, and Technology
Own membership data integrity, reporting, and a membership KPI dashboard (acquisition, renewal, engagement, revenue, and cohort and segment performance), and report progress to leadership on a regular cadence
Apply analytics—including engagement scoring and AI-enabled tools where appropriate—to identify growth opportunities, at-risk members, and high-value segments, and act on the findings
Serve as business owner of membership technology (association management system/CRM, Member Hub, and marketing automation) in partnership with IT and Marketing
Marketing and Cross-Functional Integration
Partner with Marketing to develop and execute the annual membership marketing plan and budget across email, digital advertising, social, and event channels; test, measure, and optimize campaigns
Collaborate with education, advocacy, Kidney Learning Solutions, Spring Clinical Meetings, field office, and development colleagues to integrate membership value across all NKF programs and initiatives and create seamless member journeys
Manage the membership budget, forecast dues revenue, and ensure sound financial stewardship of membership investments
Team Leadership and External Representation
Lead, coach, and develop a two-person membership team (Membership Services Manager and Sr. Professional Membership Manager), setting clear goals, building capability, and fostering a high-performing, member-centric culture
Represent NKF Professional Membership externally with peer societies, the broader association membership community, and the nephrology field to promote membership and elevate NKF’s profile
WHAT YOU'LL POSSESS
Required
Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience; Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., business, non-profit management, healthcare administration) preferred
Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in membership growth, engagement, and retention, including at least 2 years managing staff; experience within a national professional association, medical or health professional society, or healthcare-related organization strongly preferred
Documented success growing membership and improving retention and engagement, with the ability to speak to specific outcomes achieved
Fluency in the full membership lifecycle and lifecycle marketing (acquisition, onboarding, engagement, renewal, and retention)
Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills; hands-on with membership data, dashboards, and segmentation, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights and decisions
Proficiency in association management systems (AMS/CRM) and marketing automation platforms, and the ability to serve as business owner of membership technology
Exceptional leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills; excellent written and verbal communication, including presentation and negotiation abilities, with the ability to influence across functions and with senior clinical volunteer leaders
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders
Passion for the mission of the National Kidney Foundation and for supporting healthcare professionals
Preferred
Experience serving a nephrology or other interdisciplinary health professional community (nurses, dietitians, social workers, advanced practice providers, physicians)
Experience designing or relaunching membership models, tiers, or dues structures
Experience building institutional or group membership programs or strategic partnerships
Familiarity with Wild Apricot or a comparable AMS platform; experience applying AI tools to membership marketing or analytics
Experience working with volunteer leadership and committee structures
What We Offer
Work/life Integration: Enjoy plenty of vacation time, sick leave, and holidays so you can recharge, regroup or reflect—and come back ready to tackle anything.
Support for Your Health: We've got your back with top-notch medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your loved ones
Peace of Mind: Rest easy knowing you're covered with life insurance and a 403(b) plan with matching company contributions to secure your future.Creative savings: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts to save on eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses
Easy Commuting: Reduce your stress with our commuter benefits program for transit and parking expenses
Support When You Need It: Access confidential counseling, support services, and resources through our Employee Assistance Program
A Chance to Spread the Word: Share the love and earn rewards by re

Work arrangement
Yes