Description

Deep South Today is a nonprofit network of local newsrooms that includes The Current, The Garrison Project, Mississippi Today and Verite News.

Founded in 2016, Mississippi Today is now one of the largest newsrooms in the state, and in 2023 it won the Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting. Verite News launched in 2022 in New Orleans, where it covers inequities facing communities of color. The Current is a nonprofit news organization founded in 2018 serving Lafayette and southern Louisiana.

With its regional scale and scope, Deep South Today is rebuilding and re-energizing local journalism in communities where it had previously eroded, and ensuring its long-term growth and sustainability.

Membership Coordinator 

About the Role

The Membership Coordinator drives proactive, data-driven member retention and community cultivation, owning the complete member journey from initial giving through long-term loyalty. This role, which reports to the Vice President of Development, shifts the organization from reactive donor fulfillment to strategic membership growth, managing the pipeline of loyal, long-term supporters while freeing organizational capacity for specialized work in marketing, audience engagement, and major gifts.

Key Responsibilities

Membership Strategy & Growth

• Develop and execute comprehensive membership strategies optimizing acquisition, retention, growth, engagement, and churn reduction.
• Manage membership tiers, benefits, and fulfillment for retention.
• Design and implement donor incentive programs through testing and learning.
• Track and analyze member lifecycle data to inform strategic decisions.
• Identify opportunities for member upgrades and conversion to major giving.

Campaign Development & Execution

• Plan and execute seasonal membership campaigns and appeals.
• Develop acquisition and renewal strategies aligned with organizational calendar.
• Create compelling messaging and case statements demonstrating impact.
• Test campaign approaches and optimize based on performance data.
• Coordinate with Marketing and Growth on audience acquisition strategies.

Member Community & Engagement

• Define and actively manage member community strategy.
• Oversee engagement, exclusive content, and digital community-building activities.
• Foster strong sense of belonging and connection to mission.
• Plan and coordinate member events (virtual and in-person) deepening engagement.
• Develop superfan and ambassador programs mobilizing most engaged members.

Data Analysis & Performance Optimization

• Use data to inform campaigns, incentives, and retention strategies.
• Conduct predictive analysis identifying at-risk members and growth opportunities.
• Monitor donor giving patterns and flag upgrade opportunities.
• Benchmark performance against peer organizations.

Member Experience & Service

• Use customer service as donor engagement tool.
• Respond to inquiries and resolve issues ensuring positive giving experience.
• Manage fulfillment of membership benefits and recognition programs.
• Develop automated onboarding and stewardship journeys.
• Gather and act on member feedback.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Director of Marketing and Growth on aligned campaigns and acquisition.
• Collaborate with Director of Audience Engagement and Audience Editors to integrate editorial initiatives into membership programming.
• Work with Development Manager on pipeline management and major gift identification.
• Coordinate with local newsroom leadership on community-building initiatives.
• Support Finance team on revenue forecasting and reporting.

Key Competencies

Membership & Fundraising Expertise

• Deep understanding of membership models and donor retention psychology
• Experience with membership tier design and benefit fulfillment
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices and donor cultivation techniques
• amiliarity with direct response marketing and appeals

Data Analysis & Strategic Thinking

• Proficiency in analyzing member data and identifying actionable insights
• Ability to track and interpret retention, LTV, and cohort analysis
• Experience with A/B testing and conversion optimization
• Strategic mindset for long-term pipeline development

Campaign Management

• Proven track record executing successful membership campaigns
• Project management skills coordinating multi-channel initiatives
• Ability to develop compelling messaging and case statements
• Experience managing campaign budgets and ROI analysis

Community Building

• Experience designing and managing member communities
• Understanding of engagement strategies that foster belonging
• Event planning and execution skills (virtual and in-person)
• Ability to create exclusive experiences that demonstrate value

Technology & Systems

• CRM/donor database proficiency (e.g., Salesforce, NeonCRM, EveryAction)
• Email marketing platforms and marketing automation tools
• Analytics platforms (Google Analytics, membership dashboards)
• Basic understanding of payment processing and fulfillment systems

Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to translate data insights into compelling narratives
• Cross-functional collaboration and relationship building
• Customer service orientation with empathy and problem-solving skills

Mission Alignment

• Passion for nonprofit journalism and its role in democracy
• Understanding of Deep South communities and their information needs
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in philanthropy
• Appreciation for editorial independence

How to Apply:

We’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom that represents the people and communities we serve. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for this position, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people who are differently abled. Apply here