Senior Director,Membership

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is seeking a Senior Director of Membership to provide enterprise-level leadership for IFTs global membership strategy operations and growth. This role is responsible for setting and executing a comprehensive data-informed approach to member recruitment retention engagement and value delivery across the full member lifecycle. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer the Senior Director partners closely with executive leadership the Board of Directors and cross-functional teams to ensure membership programs systems and experiences align with IFTs strategic priorities and deliver sustainable growth.

This role leads multiple Directors and managers across Membership functions and is accountable for organizational outcomes related to membership growth revenue engagement and experience. The Senior Director models IFTs core values builds strong leadership bench strength and fosters a collaborative inclusive and results-oriented culture.

WHO WE ARE:

Since 1939 the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has served as the voice of the global food science community. IFT advocates for science technology and research to address the worlds greatest food challenges guiding our community of more than 200000. IFT convenes professionals from around the world from producers and product developers to innovators and researchers across food nutrition and public health with a shared mission to help create a global food supply that is sustainable safe nutritious and accessible to all. IFT provides its growing community spanning academia industry and government with the resources connections and opportunities necessary to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving food system as IFT helps feed the minds that feed the world. For more information please visit .

LEADERSHIP SCOPE:

Leads and develops a multi-layered Membership leadership team including multiple Directors and managers across membership growth engagement sections/chapters and operations.

Accountable for enterprise-wide membership outcomes including growth retention engagement and revenue performance.

Serves as a senior leader within the organization contributing to enterprise planning cross-functional alignment and organizational change initiatives.

Serves as the Executive Director for the Feeding Tomorrow Fund that provides scholarships and builds a student pipeline for Food System talent as well as the executive sponsor for the Higher Education Review Board (HERB) that assesses and approves undergraduate Food Science programs.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Pay range between $165000 to $180000 per year. (Commensurate with experience and qualifications.)

Hybrid work environment.

Flexible schedule with a 40-hour work week.

Comprehensive benefits package designed to reward and energize our employees so they can live a balanced life and maintain their well-being. We offer medical dental and vision plans at affordable rates. Life and Long-Term Disability insurance is completely free to all employees. Most benefits begin the first of the month following employees start date.

Potential Bonus eligibility.

Candidates must be in the Chicagoland area (preferred); no relocation benefits offered at this time.

HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT YOUR ROLE IS:

Establishes and leads the enterprise membership strategy including recruitment retention engagement and lifecycle management aligned to IFTs strategic plan revenue goals and long-term sustainability.

Leads and develops multiple Directors and managers through hiring onboarding performance management coaching succession planning and professional development; cultivates a strong and productive employee experience.

Develops and executes data-informed growth strategies by analyzing membership trends market and geographic opportunities pricing and dues structures and value propositions to increase engagement retention and revenue.

Establishes monitors and reports on key performance indicators for recruitment retention engagement operational performance and financial outcomes; provides clear actionable insights and recommendations to executive leadership.

Oversees membership operations systems and data management processes to ensure efficient accurate member-centric delivery of services including renewals activation and special membership requests.

Prepares manages and monitors membership-related budgets and revenue targets; ensures fiscal accountability effective resource allocation and alignment with organizational financial policies.

Partners cross-functionally with Marketing Sales Meetings IT Finance CoDeveloper Divisions Science & Policy Knowledge and Learning Experiences Journals and Strategy teams to deliver seamless integrated member experiences and maximize the value of IFT products programs recognition initiatives and events including Section events and IFT FIRST.

Provides strategic leadership for sections/student chapters in partnership with volunteer leaders ensuring alignment with IFT strategy and providing governance support that enables section and chapter success and consistent delivery of member value.

Strengthens volunteer leadership systems by ensuring leaders have the tools training resources and best practices needed to drive engagement and growth.

Leads conversion engagement and retention strategies associated with major IFT programs and events ensuring coordinated execution strong member experiences and measurable outcomes.

Builds brand loyalty and long-term relationships by ensuring high responsiveness to member and stakeholder needs and by continuously improving the end-to-end membership experience.

Serves as a senior advisor to executive leadership and regularly prepares and presents membership strategy performance metrics risks and opportunities to the IFT Board of Directors and relevant committees.

Partners with the CEO COO CFO CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) and CSO (Chief Science Officer) to ensure membership priorities align with organizational strategy and Board-approved goals.

WHAT WE REQUIRE:

Bachelors degree in Business Communications or equivalent.

7 years of association management experience particularly related to data analytics CRM or membership platforms performance measurement and volunteer management.

Certified Association Executive (CAE) (preferred experience).

Experience in professional associations or mission-driven organizations (preferred experience).

Interest in - and experience with - applying AI solutions to member operations data analytics and member outreach and engagement.

Progressive leadership experience in membership customer engagement association management or related fields.

Demonstrated success leading multi-level teams and complex cross-functional initiatives at a senior or director level.

Demonstrated success in achieving growth in members revenue and engagement metrics in membership associations.

Experience partnering with executive leadership and Boards to drive strategy and organizational outcomes including strong public speaking and presentation skills.

Strong nonprofit governance background.

Deep curiosity and ability to problem solve take swift action and build systems and processes that accelerate execution of business strategy.

MORE DETAILS YOULL WANT TO KNOW:

Manages up to 6 team members.

The main office location is 433 West Van Buren Street Suite 11-G Chicago IL 60607.

Interviews will be conducted virtually and/or onsite.

Occasional domestic travel is expected including the ability to attend occasional evening weekend and overnight meetings consistent with IFT leadership roles.

This position and all others at IFT may be modified at any time. To ensure operational efficiency and meet the changing needs of our customers and our Business other duties may be assigned as needed.

CORE VALUES:

Community: We believe in the power of community. We collaborate across borders and scientific disciplines with public and private institutions. We are a convener of people and ideas. Teamwork is essential to our success.

Integrity: We want our scientific and operational integrity to be renowned. We honor and value the variety of perspectives and experiences within our community. We adhere to the highest level of professionalism and professional ethics.

Passion: We are passionate about the science of food. We are dedicated to expanding knowledge and advancing careers. We commit ourselves to finding solutions to the food challenges facing humanity.

Progress: We are dedicated to supporting the changing needs of our members and our community. We are committed to continuous improvement and to championing innovation. Learn More

Respect: We respect the scientific process and our peers. We are guided by the needs and demands of our members. We are committed to clear communication and responsiveness.

Inclusion: We promise to listen learn and invite input from everyone. We will create processes to reach shared agreements and ensure fairness in our community. Our decisions and actions are informed by intentionally challenging assumptions beliefs and practices that affect access and opportunity in society and science.

HOW TO APPLY:

If interested please forward your resume along with a cover letter (strongly preferred) by visiting our careers page: Institute of Food Technologists is an Equal Opportunity Employer.