The Membership Growth and Engagement Manager will lead the development and delivery of a strategic, inclusive and values-driven membership programme for the Royal African Society. The role is responsible for growing, diversifying and retaining RAS’s membership base, deepening member engagement, and ensuring that membership is a vibrant pillar of the Society’s influence, sustainability and impact.
This role will be central to strengthening RAS’s community of individuals, students, academics and practitioners committed and interested in African perspectives and thought leadership. The role supports communications, and membership growth, ensuring data analysis and reporting and an enhanced membership experience. The output of this role’s data will provide input for the fundraising team. This multifaceted role requires a self-starter with a passion for Africa and strong administrative and interpersonal skills.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Develop and implement a multi-year membership growth strategy aligned with RAS’s mission, financial sustainability and strategic objectives.
* Grow individual, student and institutional membership, with a particular focus on younger professionals, diaspora communities, researchers, policy practitioners and global partners.
* Design and refine membership tiers, benefits and value propositions to ensure relevance, accessibility and impact.
* Use data and insights to monitor membership trends, inform strategy and support continuous improvement.
Membership Administration
* Lead on processing new memberships, renewals, and action lapsed membership accounts.
* Develop and deliver the membership journey: onboarding (issuing welcome letters), communications (related to benefits, payments and updates) and reminders (upcoming renewals and member events).
* Manage membership admin, including processing sign-ups, renewals, subscription payments and lapsed follow-ups.
* Monitor member satisfaction and feedback; develop improvements to the membership offering.
* Manage the RAS Membership mailbox, responding to enquiries and resolving issues in a timely manner.
Member Engagement & Retention
* Create meaningful engagement pathways that foster a strong sense of belonging, purpose and participation among members.
* Develop and deliver a programme of member-focused activities, including events, briefings, roundtables, learning opportunities and digital engagement.
* Work closely with the Events and Programmes teams to ensure members are effectively integrated into RAS’s convening, knowledge and thought leadership work.
* Lead retention initiatives, including onboarding, renewal campaigns and targeted member communications.
Communications & Member Experience
* Oversee membership communications across email, digital platforms and social media in collaboration with the Communications team.
* Ensure a high-quality, inclusive and consistent member experience at every stage of the membership journey.
* Act as a key point of contact for members, building trusted relationships with key individuals and institutions.
Systems, Data Management & Reporting
* Manage and optimise the use of Beacon CRM for membership tracking, renewals, communications and reporting.
* Ensure accurate data management, GDPR compliance and effective use of member insights.
* Produce regular reports on membership growth, income, engagement and retention for senior management and Council.
* Oversee the maintenance, configuration, and optimisation of the Society’s CRM (e.g. individual, corporate, partner and stakeholder data).
* Ensure high standards of data transparency to avoid errors, duplication, inconsistency, and compliance with GDPR and related data protection laws.
* Manage data integrations between CRM and other systems (RAS website, and platforms such as Mailchimp, payment gateways i.e. Xero, GoCardless and Stripe).
* Ensure that data workflows and processes are documented and user-friendly.
Insight, Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement
* Produce regular reports on member data, trends, income from membership, retention rates, resignations or lapsed accounts, etc.
* Provide insight and analysis to other teams (fundraising, comms, finance, events) to support campaign planning and decision-making.
* Support the development of dashboards/KPIs for senior management and the Council.
* Work with marketing/communications to segment audiences for targeted communications.
Compliance & Best Practice
* Ensure compliance with the Society’s policies and procedures as it pertains to data handling, security, retention and all legal and regulatory requirements (GDPR, data protection, charitable law with respect to membership and fundraising).
* Keep up to date with sector best practices in CRM, membership, data protection, membership associations.
* Advise on risks to data security, member privacy, payment processing and ensure mitigation through a risk register.
* Resolve and/or escalate any identified risks that may expose the Society, compromise its integrity.
Other Duties
* Work with the external website developer, events and marketing team to promote membership through the approved communication channels.
* Support colleagues with other tasks as may be required.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
* Role title: Membership Growth and Engagement Manager
* Reports to: Head of Operations
* Location: London (hybrid)
* Remote and onsite working at the Royal African Society offices at SOAS, London, WC1H 0XG (as well as RAS public events)
* Hours: 37.5 hours per week
* Holiday: 27 days+ Bank Holidays
* Contract type: Permanent
PERSON SPECIFICATION
This person specification outlines the qualifications, experience, skills, and personal attributes required for successful performance in the role.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Experience
* Proven experience of managing and maintaining a CRM system (e.g. Beacon, Salesforce) within a charity, cultural, or membership organisation.
* Experience managing membership schemes or donor databases, including processing payments, renewals, and communications.
* Experience producing data reports and analysis for senior management.
Knowledge
* Strong understanding of data protection and GDPR compliance in the UK.
* Knowledge of membership lifecycle, management and customer segmentation.
* Familiarity with fundraising and communications data needs.
Technical Skills
* High level of proficiency in database and CRM systems.
* Ability to develop reports, dashboards and automate data processes.
* Familiarity with tools like Mailchimp, Stripe, or WordPress integrations.
CommunicationSkills
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to explain technical systems to non-technical colleagues.
* Confident in engaging with a range of stakeholders, including members, stakeholders and staff.
Organisational Skills
* Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
* Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
* Ability to work independently and take initiative.
Values & Attributes
* Commitment to the mission, mandate and values of the Royal African Society.
* Collaborative team player with a solution-focused approach.
* Respect for confidentiality and sensitivity in working with personal data.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Experience
* Experience supporting fundraising, events or campaigns through data insight.
* Experience delivering member events, learning programmes or digital engagement initiatives.
* Experience working in a small, high-impact organisation with multiple stakeholders.
Knowledge
* Understanding of cultural sector audiences and engagement strategies.
* Experience engaging younger professionals, students or diaspora communities.
* Familiarity with Africa-focused institutions, think tanks, universities or cultural organisations.
VALUES & BEHAVIOURS
* Commitment to inclusion, equity and respectful dialogue.
* Collaborative, proactive and delivery-oriented.
* Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach.
* High levels of professionalism, integrity and discretion.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The Society is based at SOAS, University of London, and supports flexible and hybrid working. Remuneration aligns with the charity sector, and some evening/weekend work may be required during events (TOIL available). We are committed to an inclusive, diverse, collaborative working culture where African and diaspora perspectives are valued and centred.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability to:
Head of Fundraising & Operations
ue3@soas.ac.uk
Deadline: 5 PM (GMT) Friday 6th February 2026.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Please note that the successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check.
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