[Hiring] Director of Membership @Atkinson HR

Role Description

As Director of Membership, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across:

• Membership, communities and partnerships
• Events and awards
• Communications and marketing
• Customer services

You will develop and deliver a membership strategy focused on:

• Reversing declining membership numbers and renewals
• Improving the member experience
• Driving sustainable growth

You will lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, strengthen relationships with volunteers and member networks, and use data and insight to ensure CILIP’s offer reflects what members value.

As a member of the Executive Team, you will contribute to the wider leadership of the organisation, balancing strategic priorities with financial sustainability and leading colleagues through a period of significant change.

Qualifications

• Experienced senior leader from a membership organisation, professional body, charity or similar environment
• Track record of growing membership, improving retention or increasing engagement
• Strong commercial and financial judgement
• Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams
• Confidence in using data to inform decisions and improve performance
• Comfortable working with volunteers, committees and senior stakeholders
• Able to challenge established ways of working while bringing people with you

Requirements

• Collaborative and inclusive leader
• Commitment to social justice, intellectual freedom and evidence-based practice
• Passionate about the power of information, knowledge and libraries to change lives

Benefits

• Salary: £75,000 per annum for London-based candidates; £70,200 for candidates based outside London
• Working Pattern: Full-time, 35 hours per week (part-time or flexible working patterns may be considered)
• Location: Remote, with regular travel across the UK
• Contract: Permanent

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application form, answering the following questions:

• Why do you want to work at CILIP, and how do your values align with ours?
• Tell us about a time you grew or reshaped a membership or customer offer. What did you do, and what difference did it make?
• Tell us about your experience of leading a team through change or transformation. How did you maintain and improve performance, and what was the result?

Each response should be no more than 400 words.

For an informal conversation about the role or application process, please contact Nida Ashraf at Atkinson HR Consulting via [email protected] .

Key Dates

• Closing date: Friday 13 November 2026 at 12noon
• First interviews: Week commencing 23 November 2026 (remote)
• Final interviews: Wednesday 9 December 2026 (in person)