NextGen Programme and Membership Manager

Royal United Services Institute

Length of contract
1 year

About the Organisation

RUSI is an established research institute and think tank, focusing on defence, security and geopolitics. RUSI offers both Individual and Corporate memberships, allowing exclusive member access to certain publications and events, and providing additional opportunities for members to engage directly with our research activities and staff.

The RUSI NextGen initiative is aimed at early careers professionals between the ages of 20 and 30 interested in the security and defence sector. The initiative is free to join and provides access to events tailored to early career professionals. We believe that our NextGen Community represents the future of the industry, and the network aims to nurture the leaders of tomorrow.

About the role

We are seeking an ambitious and community-minded leader to build on the success of the NextGen initiative, further expand our flourishing community, and shape the network for the next generation of leaders in security and defence. The NextGen Programme and Membership Manager will have the following key priorities:

• Actively manage and promote the NextGen initiative, grow the community and develop its offering.
• Lead on developing a funding strategy for NextGen, including through partnerships and sponsorships, and drive the conversion of NextGen members into paying RUSI members.
• Develop and maintain key relationships with internal staff as well as external stakeholders, ambassadors, partners and funders of the NextGen programme.
• Support the membership team with account management of selected organisation members.
• Part of a small team, we are looking for an energetic individual with a can-do attitude who will be able to bring self-starting energy and passion to the role.

Responsibilities

Key Tasks:

• Evolve and execute a NextGen marketing plan (branding, communications, dedicated webspace on RUSI site, promotion via partners, social media, etc).
• Prepare a monthly newsletter and grow/manage all social media activities.
• Organise and deliver a series of NextGen events (monthly minimum), dealing with speakers, venues, logistics, communications, etc.
• Develop a funding strategy for NextGen, including through partnerships and sponsorships, and drive the conversion of NextGen members into paying RUSI members.
• Actively manage the sign-up/registrations and onboarding processes.
• Organise meetings and support the NextGen Steering Group of staff and Ambassador volunteers.
• Promote the NextGen programme to internal and external stakeholders, creating awareness, support and understanding of its mission.
• Account management of selected existing organisation members. This includes scheduling catch-up meetings, arranging private briefings, making connections to relevant research teams, event registrations, and dealing with general day-to-day requests of members.
• Use Ready Membership (CRM system) to track and manage member activities whilst following an account management plan.
• Nurture relationships with RUSI organisation members, working closely with the Corporate Partnerships Manager to identify opportunities to expand members' level of involvement.
• Identify organisation members' interests and feed these into areas of the institute that support membership.
• Provide event support for new RUSI initiatives targeting select audiences.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential:

• Experience of managing promotional activities and campaigns.
• Highly organised, with a systematic and diligent approach to planning, activity tracking and record-keeping.
• Experience of meeting and event organisation/management.
• Strong communicator with experience of multi-channel marketing activities.
• Account management and/or relationship management experience, preferably within a membership organisation.
• Experience in managing multiple stakeholders and varying levels of seniority.
• Able to work on own initiative in a small but complex organisation with competing demands.
• Experience of using CRM software, preferably ReadyMembership.

Desirable:

• An interest in defence, security, global affairs or the major challenges of today.
• Ability to balance competing needs and capabilities productively.
• Experience of working in the not-for-profit sector or with young professionals.
• Change catalyst: experience of developing new and innovative products and services in response to opportunity.
• Experience of working in a not-for-profit sector organisation.

Compensation & Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service)
• Additional days off during Christmas - RUSI Christmas closure days
• Generous pension contributions at 6% employer contribution
• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance (after successful completion of probation period)
• Season ticket loan
• Free access to RUSI's world-leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Working locations

• London, United Kingdom

How to apply

• To apply, please apply online and follow the instructions to submit your CV and cover letter.
• If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
• Supporting materials, such as publications or examples of relevant work, may be included with your application
• Please submit your CV and any supporting documents as one.
• Your cover letter should be no longer than 1 page, explaining your interest in the role and any significant relevant skills and experience.
• The closing date for applications is Monday 16th November 2026. Please note this is a Programme Management role. Potential applicants looking for a research role in the Institute are advised not to apply.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date may be brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged.

Interviews

• Shortlisted candidates may be required to complete a task as part of the recruitment process.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Policies

At RUSI, you will be appreciated and valued. Our stakeholders, transactions, and projects are international and diverse, so we work hard to create inclusive teams that support our efforts and each other. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and making it as diverse as the communities we serve. Our recruitment data helps us monitor the effectiveness of our recruitment practices so that we can continue to improve on creating a more diverse workforce.

We’re aware that the questionnaire may not capture the rich complexities of our backgrounds and identities, so we apologise if these are not best described. Please note that this data will be kept confidential and separated from your job application. If you are uncomfortable sharing, choose "Prefer not to say" or skip the questions entirely.

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