Membership Development Manager

Royal Geographical Society

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is a learned society and professional body for geography and geographers. It is also a charity and a membership organisation. The Society was founded in 1830 and has been one of the most active of the learned societies ever since. It was pivotal in establishing geography as a teaching and research discipline in British universities and continues to play a key role in geographical and environmental education.

The Society is a leading world centre for geographical learning, supporting education, teaching, research, professional practice and scientific expeditions, as well as promoting public understanding and enjoyment of geography and providing advice to policymakers. The Society has an international membership of approximately 16,000, 31 specialist research groups, and a programme of activities that extends far beyond its membership to broad engagement with more than three million people per year.

Over 200 lectures, conferences, and other events are organised each year, including a major four-day Annual Conference, a programme of popular lectures, professional development for geographers, and policy-related discussions. The Society also publishes, under contract, scholarly journals and the popular Geographical magazine. It empowers others through a programme of grant-giving in support of research, fieldwork, expeditions, and teaching.

The Society’s information resources include its historic Geographical collections of maps, images, books, manuscript archives, and artefacts. The Society offers professional accreditation to members through Chartered Geographer status. The Society is based in a listed building in its own grounds in Kensington opposite Hyde Park, and operates nine regional branches in the UK and two overseas. There are 57 permanent staff, together with temporary and volunteer staff.

About the role

This is a new role to drive the growth, engagement, and retention of the Royal Geographical Society Fellows and Members by working across the organisation to deliver membership acquisition, development, and engagement. The role will work across our organisation to develop member-focused initiatives and contribute to the Society’s strategic goals of expanding and diversifying its membership base.

This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in expanding the reach and impact of a values-led organisation. If you are passionate about building communities, creating value for members, and driving positive organisational change, this role presents an exciting opportunity.

Responsibilities

Membership Growth and Development:

• Membership acquisition: Design and deliver, in partnership with colleagues, membership strategies that grow acquisition, deepen engagement, and improve retention.
• Cross-organisation delivery: Ensure membership development is at the forefront of wider organisational initiatives to grow and diversify the Society’s membership in line with strategic goals.
• Membership development: Design and develop product diversification, pathways for member progression, including transitions between membership types and professional recognition.
• Corporate: Develop and manage corporate partnerships that align with organisational values and generate mutual benefit.
• Membership fulfilment: Lead membership product development and work alongside colleagues to deliver exceptional service and value to members and partners.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure membership and partnership initiatives support wider organisational goals.
• Comms and engagement: Support colleagues to develop best-in-class year-round member and partner communications, engagement journeys, and relationship management.
• Collaborate with departments to promote membership benefits to prospective audiences, including students, teachers, academics, professionals, and enthusiasts.

Marketing and Acquisition:

• In collaboration with the Communications Team, review, audit, and develop our membership marketing assets for new and existing audiences.
• Identify audiences, routes to market, and sales strategies.
• Use data and insights to refine offerings, optimise performance, and inform decision-making. Engagement and services
• Work with colleagues to ensure our events, webinars, and networking opportunities support growth and retention.
• Work with colleagues to support a high standard of service and satisfaction.
• Contribute to the development of digital content and communications that enhance member engagement.

Operational Support:

• Colleagues across the organisation are to support best-in-class approaches to digitalisation and CRM utilisation.
• Work with colleagues to maintain accurate member records and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
• Work with colleagues to develop clear reporting and analysis of membership trends and performance metrics.

Strategic Contribution:

• Assist in reviewing membership pricing, benefits, and structures to ensure alignment with the Society’s strategic priorities.
• Contribute to cross-Society initiatives such as sustainability, bicentenary planning, and other projects as they arise.
• Provide insights and recommendations to improve membership processes and impact.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Essential, Skills & Experience:

• Experience in membership development – products, services, customer engagement, and professional development.
• Commercial, marketing, and sales experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in CRM systems, member engagement tools, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Experience working with membership organisations, professional bodies, and charities.

Desirable Skills:

• Knowledge of the broad geographical community.
• Event coordination or digital engagement experience.
• Understanding of professional accreditation or development frameworks.

Personal Attributes:

• Member-focused and empathetic.
• Proactive and collaborative.
• Detail-oriented and committed to quality.

Compensation & Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus public bank holidays.
• Flexible working arrangements are available with a mix of office-based and home working.
• Society closure between Christmas and New Year, in addition to the basic annual leave allowance.
• Pension scheme - 3% employee, 7.5% employer.
• Group Life Assurance at four times the basic annual salary.
• Corporate eye care vouchers.
• Probationary period of three months.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free 24-hour Employee Assistance helpline with available counselling support.

Conditions of employment

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. The Society is unable to offer work visa sponsorships.

Working locations

• South Kensington, London SW7

How to apply

• To apply, please email [email protected] with a copy of your CV and a covering letter explaining your suitability for the post, the selection criteria, along the Monitoring Form.

Interviews

• Interviews are planned to take place in the week commencing 1st December 2025.
• We thank, in advance, all candidates for applying, and regret we are unable to write separately to those who are not selected for an interview.

Policies

The Society aims to be an equal opportunity employer

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