Chief Marketing and Membership Officer

The Chief Marketing and Membership Officer serves as a part of the Senior Executive team and is solely responsible for driving revenue growth across the organization focusing on brand identity membership growth strategy, and promotion of products and services.

Location: Washington, DC

Website: https://www.justice.org/ 

The Company

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) is an organization dedicated to promoting justice and fairness for injured individuals and safeguarding victims' rights, particularly the right to trial by jury. It aims to strengthen the civil justice system through education and the dissemination of information critical to public health and safety. AAJ provides its members, which include attorneys, law professors, paralegals, and law students, with resources, professional assistance, and networking opportunities. It Delivers Exceptional Education, Unparalleled Advocacy, and a Dedicated Community of Trial Lawyers Fighting for Justice.

AAJ supports lawyers in various areas of trial advocacy by providing essential information and professional assistance to serve clients effectively and uphold the values of the civil justice system.

Purpose of the Position

The Chief Marketing and Membership Officer serves as part of the Senior Executive team and is responsible for driving revenue growth across the organization, focusing on brand identity, membership growth strategy, and the promotion of products and services. The ideal candidate will have a track record of creating and executing marketing and membership strategies that lead to the growth of each function internally. The successful candidate will serve as an ambassador of the organization, creating relationships internally with staff and members of the board of directors, and externally with the membership at large, other industry leaders, and related stakeholders.

Principle Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for the organization’s strategic membership and marketing operations to build AAJ’s brand to attract and retain members.
• Develop and execute a strategic marketing and membership plan that supports organizational goals and priorities.Foster an innovative culture within the organization and specifically within revenue generating departments.
• Collaborate in the development of analytics that inform key marketing decisions and forecasting.
• Analyze market trends, member needs, and competitive landscape to guide strategy.
• Execute membership growth strategy and brand the association as the professional home and leading advocate for plaintiff trial lawyers.
• In conjunction with AAJ Product and Service areas, focus on providing competitive and innovative products that ensure AAJ is providing the best litigation support that is of value to members and potential members.
• Work with the Section and Litigation Group teams to ensure that these member groups provide the necessary support to recruit, retain and engage members.
• Work with Finance and revenue generating departments to create efficient business models with a focus on growth.
• In conjunction with the Senior Executive team, strengthen engagement with current members and expand outreach to prospective members and external stakeholders.
• Actively manage direct reports by establishing productive and collaborative relationships including regular communication, timely performance feedback, and offering training and development opportunities.
• Work in partnership with Senior Executive team on organizational goals/initiatives and long-term strategic planning to support the organization’s mission and priorities. 
• Monitors project and program budgets, provides approval on projects, programs, and major activities of assigned departments.
• Stay abreast of trends and knowledge in the association field to ensure that AAJ continues to offer the most relevant and meaningful membership benefits for members.
• Provide professional, quality customer service to donors, members, volunteers, vendors, staff, and other community contacts.
• Travel: Attend two conventions and other meetings as deemed necessary (20%). 

The Candidate - Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• The successful candidate will bring enthusiasm and alignment to AAJ’s mission, a track record of management in senior roles across the marketing and/or membership functions, and a desire to play a critical role in the growth of the organization. The successful candidate will bring the requisite interpersonal skillset to develop meaningful relationships across a variety of stakeholders at all levels. 
• Additional experience and professional qualifications include:
• Ten years’ experience in marketing, membership, and/or related roles, preferably within non-profits or associations.
• Proven record of developing and executing successful marketing and membership strategies.
• Extensive knowledge and demonstrated growth through multi-media marketing channels.
• Strong understanding of brand management, digital marketing, and member engagement strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in managing, coaching, and mentoring employees.
• Demonstrated success in membership revenue dues and membership product sales revenue.
• Executive presence and effective in leading an organization while being a collaborative member of a team.
• Demonstrated success in revenue growth across an organization and record of building plans leading to new revenue streams.
• Experience with strategic planning, work plan development, and oversight of processes, systems, and measurement of results. 
• Exceptional verbal/written communication skills with the ability to effectively interact at all levels, tactfully influence decisions, and encourage ideas/feedback from a diverse range of sources. 
• Proven ability to drive innovation, effectively lead and motivate staff and drive organizational priorities.
• Strong acumen in analyzing data to spot trends, measure effectiveness, and keep a pulse on changes in member attitudes, preferences, and engagement levels. 
• Prior experience in fiscal management including budget management.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with external and internal customers require judgement calls and decisions that impact the organization.
• Ability to work within a team environment as well as the ability to work independently. 
• Working knowledge and experience in NetForum or similar Association Management System (AMS). 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint).
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. This position includes but is not limited to; prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; occasionally it may be required to stand and/or walk for a prolonged period and occasional need to lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. 

Key Relationships - Staff Direct Reports

• Director of Marketing
• Director of Membership

Other Key AAJ Relationships

• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Development Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• General Counsel
• Senior Director of Meetings and Sales
• Senior Director of Publication and Education/Editor of Trial

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required and advanced degree in business preferred.

 Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.