019177 - Membership Manager

About the Opportunity

The North Carolina Arboretum is seeking a dynamic and strategic Membership Manager to lead and grow a vibrant community of supporters. This key role within the Development Division oversees all aspects of the membership program- from acquisition and renewals to stewardship, events, and data-driven strategy. The Membership Manager will guide a dedicated team, champion exceptional member experiences, and leverage analytics and CRM tools such as Tessitura to strengthen engagement and drive growth. Ideal candidates are collaborative leaders with strong organizational and communication skills, a passion for customer service, and a vision for building a thriving, mission-driven membership program that deepens connections between members and the Arboretum.

The Membership Manager is directly responsible for leading a team of membership professionals, managing the acquisition, acknowledgements, benefit fulfillments, renewals, communications, and stewardship of The North Carolina Arboretum Society (TNCAS) members. Reporting to the Director of Development and
working within the Development department, the Membership Manager oversees a
variety of membership projects including member events, digital campaigns, digital
cards, on-site membership sales, plus digital correspondence and website
presence as it relates to communicating and cultivating members. . Interested applicants should have knowledge of Tessitura or similar donor databases and have analytical skills to assess membership performance and identify means for growing the program and revenue. The applicant will serve as the organizational lead on membership management overall, including visioning and strategy for a thriving and growing membership program. The hiring range for the position is $57,000-$61,000.

Description of the Work:

Develop, Implement, and Lead Membership Strategies

The Membership Manager will develop and implement strategies for retention of existing members of TNCAS as well as the acquisition and cultivation of new members. This will include campaigns for member upgrades and regular solicitation of member feedback. Acting as the primary contact of TNCAS members by responding to member inquiries in a timely and efficient manner, the Manager will provide excellent customer service to the membership base and general public via telephone, email, postal mail and in person. This role will coordinate customer service efforts including answering questions, reconciling records and processing membership requests as needed. Careful facilitation, analysis and reporting of membership feedback will be used to strengthen the program and enhance the membership experience using industry-wide best practices. Events and campaigns will be developed, coordinated, and implemented by the Membership Manager, including behind-the-scenes experiences, member-only ticketed events, and other member events as necessary. The Manager will lead, guide and train employees, interns, and/or volunteers performing related membership work and will work collaboratively with the Director of Development and Leadership team on adopting and implementing organization-wide systems using institutional strategic goals as a goodie.

Data Driven Decision Making and Management

Development is the division responsible for the customer relationship management software, Tessitura. The Membership Manager serves as one of the leads for Tessitura and implementation of database best practices, with membership as a priority area of focus. The Manager is responsible for suing the software to track revenue, membership count and work collaboratively with other departments to ensure that useful and timely reports are produced. The manager will use industry best practices to ensure data integrity, account maintenance, reports, dashboards, workflows and other routine tasks in coordination with ITS and other departments.

Communication

The Membership Manager will work with Marketing to conceive, plan and manage multi-channel strategies for the cultivation, acquisition and renewal of memberships. Externally, this includes drafting content for the member newsletter and email marketing campaigns and promotions. Brochures, cards and other core membership materials should be updated and printed in a timely fashion. Internally, the Manager will work with the Director of Development and other departments to set annual goals and identify opportunities and strategies to increase membership base and revenue, in parallel with overall philanthropic strategies.

Ad Hoc Duties

As situations arise, other duties will be assigned to this role as necessary. The Membership Manager is expected to work with all Arboretum program areas to ensure a smooth membership experience.

Physical Requirements

Typically working in an office environment, this role will also occasionally work in outdoor and garden spaces with uneven terrain. The ability to lift 25 lbs. or more occasionally is also required.

About the Team
The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden affiliated with the University of North featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits, educational activities, plant-centered research and economic development programs.
The North Carolina Arboretum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the Arboretum's mission of cultivating connections between people and plants through membership; individual, foundation and corporate giving programs; retail operations; volunteer programs; marketing; fee-based educational programs; exhibits; and green events.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Graduation from college in a related field (marketing, communication, hospitality, etc.) from an accredited college or university. Minimum five years membership related experience, ideally in membership/development (acquisition, retention, and upgrades) as revenue streams. Prior public garden experience is preferred.

Required Competencies
Technical Knowledge
The Membership Manager should have a good working knowledge of database management, quality control, data input requirements and report/query techniques within a database system. Experience with Tessitura or a similar customer relationship software in reporting, ticketing and fundraising systems. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, email marketing software, and the ability to work with sensitive and confidential information with discretion is required.
Project Management
Exceptional project management skills and a positive attitude is needed. A demonstrated ability to meet deadlines is necessary as well as the ability to handle and prioritize simultaneous requests. A self-motivated creative thinker is needed with strong attention to detail.
Member Relations and Communication
Well-developed interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to provide outstanding member service internally and externally is required. The ability to understand oral and written instructions, read printed words and numbers accurately and deliver excellent member service is required. Interpreting membership program policies and procedures to both the member and the administrative staff is necessary. Composing and delivering information in multiple formats to team members is required. The Manager works with the Director of Development to strategize upper-level member moves management, to increase engagement and philanthropic support.
Supervision
This position must be able to manage laterally and upwards using excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Assists with the scheduling and supervision of team members as well as with the day-to-day flow of the department. Competencies associated with supervisory roles are necessary such as problem solving, conflict resolution, performance management, coaching and talent management. Positive Membership team culture is important to help the necessary moving parts work well under pressure.

• Classification: University Program Specialist
• Position Competency Level:
• Position Number: UNCSO-A019177
• Employment Type: SHRA
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Recruitment Salary Range: 57,000-61000
• Salary Grade Equivalent:
• Location: 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA
• Posting Open Date: 2/16/2026
• Posting Close Date: 3/8/2026

EEO
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Human Resources Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: recruiter@northcarolina.edu.