KPBS Associate Director of Membership

Overview

The salary range for this position is $8,333.34 - $11,250 per month ($100,000 - $135,000 per year) depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

The job posting for this position is scheduled to close on September 19, 2025 at 4:00pm (PST).

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming.  KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio station for San Diego.  Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university’s educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience.  It does so not only by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, but also by producing programming about San Diego and its people for distribution nationwide.

The membership area of KPBS functions to develop and implement strategies and tactics that bring core revenue to the station and to cultivate and build relationships with members and potential donors. The area includes the membership functions of database marketing and data quality, membership operations, digital fundraising, member engagement/cultivation, direct and e-marketing, audience services, on-air fundraising and the vehicle donation program. Combined membership area revenue expectations are set annually with a FY26 goal of $10.45M ($8.6M from membership and $1.85M from the vehicle donation program). 

KPBS’s Membership and Development departments collectively serve over 72,000 members which includes members at all giving levels. The Membership department manages the communications and relationships of active station members who donate less than $1,200 annually and regularly collaborates with other station departments. 

In response to shifting markets and the ways members consume their media, KPBS is pivoting to optimize both its operational and revenue-generating areas. In FY2025, the Membership Department developed five (5) subdivisions: Membership Analytics, Membership Acquisition (including On Air Fundraising), Membership Operations, Membership Engagement, and Audience Services. Each subdivision has established key performance indicators connected to the department’s strategic growth goals.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, farmer's market Tuesday's, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by job)
• 24 vacation days, 1 personal day & 13 holidays off (4+ days off over winter break)
• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend SDSU basketball games, local concerts and events
• Discounts on local attractions (theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, memberships)
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Monthly pop-up events
• Full benefits packages that are unmatched (medical, dental, vision, life)
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Flexible spending account(s)
• Employee assistance program
• Matching and voluntary retirement savings plan

Responsibilities

KPBS’s Associate Director of Membership is responsible for one of the largest revenue-generating segments of KPBS. This position will provide leadership to staff in strategic planning and tactical implementation of activities designed to raise significant annual donor support and revenue. The expected result is to exceed a targeted net contribution after expenses, and for acquiring, retaining, renewing, and cultivating members for long-term, successful relationships. 

In close and frequent collaboration with KPBS’s Director of Membership, this position is expected to lead efforts primarily in membership acquisition, partnership programs, and engagement. This position requires a high degree of leadership competency and the ability to recruit, assess, develop, and regularly coach department staff. The Associate Director is accountable for process and performance outcomes in their areas of responsibility.

This role will supervise key department staff to create annual growth in active memberships served within our membership programs. The department’s strategic plan places high value on deepening our partnership relationships as well as member experience and engagement. The Associate Director will serve as a strategic thought partner to the Director of Membership and station leadership.

The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive.  The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities. Job descriptions may be changed at any time based on the needs of the department.

Supervision (30%)

• Recruit, onboard, and develop current and future membership positions. Set goals, track results, and dynamically coach performance to optimize results. 
• Assess and develop the Member Engagement staff. Set goals, track results, and dynamically coach performance to optimize results. 
• Utilize performance tracking tools such as RACI charts, SMART goals/KPIs, project trackers, and other internal performance management documents.
• Lead staff so that development of membership partnerships and strategic member engagement results in increased member acquisition and station revenues.
• Supervise additional staff in the Membership Acquisition subdivision as directed by the Director of Membership or station leadership. 

Membership Acquisition and Partnership Development (25%)

• Assess and lead existing partnership programs, including:
• Vehicle Donation Program through partner organization CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)
• Door-to-door canvassing Program through partner organization DDS (Donor Development Strategies)
• Reciprocal memberships through BluPeak Credit Union

• Assess the market for prospective partners, such as:
• Innovative member referral or reciprocal membership programs
• Partnerships with other local nonprofit organizations to yield more members
• Achieve annual growth in active memberships served by our membership partnership programs
• Regularly consult with the Corporate Development department to ensure strategic alignment

Member Communications, Onboarding & Engagement (25%)

• Create an intentional customer journey in alignment with the strategic objectives of the department for both new and tenured members
• Develop membership experience and benefits that encourage ongoing and increased member giving
• Lead initiatives on member communications, new member onboarding programs, and personalized engagement programs 

Strategic Development & Collaboration (10%)

• Measure the quality of donor experiences to provide meaningful insight that provides perspective on current state offerings and provide course-correcting recommendations to leadership
• Serve on the station’s Membership Acquisition & Advancement Committee (MAAC)
• Join ongoing collaborative meetings with KPBS’s Analytics, Audience Services, Acquisition, Marketing, Communications, Corporate Development, and others as needed at KPBS to ensure high quality experiences
• Staying abreast of fundraising statistics and trends to provide strategic recommendations as appropriate
• Represent the KPBS membership department internal or external meetings on behalf of the Director of Membership as needed

Data & Reporting (5%)

• Gather membership data and report out to station leadership
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends on an on an ongoing basis
• Join industry meetings with partners such as Member Services Bureau, Greater Public, and other industry partners

Other Duties & Responsibilities as Assigned (5%)

• Perform special projects as assigned by Director of Membership or station leadership
• Engage in contractual annual review with vendors and partners as needed to ensure budgetary control and high quality performance
• Attend special events and community engagements as directed by Director of Membership or station leadership

Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities

• Proven experience with the following:
• Creating membership plans and attaining positive results with aggressive revenue goals
• Supervising membership and operations
• Developing and managing staff
• Executing department projects with high quality
• Demonstrated excellence in supervision and leadership 
• Demonstrated excellence in trust-building, communication, interpersonal skills
• Ability to effectively train staff in any required project/activity/tasks 
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects within set timeframes
• Ability to use effective and adaptive verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to demonstrate a proactive and collaborative management style; anticipating challenges, fostering open communication, and engaging team members in problem-solving.
• Ability to analyze complex issues, identify root causes, and develop creative and practical solutions.
• Demonstrated success in applying new approaches and strategies that improve processes, increase efficiency, and address organizational challenges.

Minimum Experience

• Four years of related experience; two of which in a progressively responsible supervisory or management role.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or relevant field, or additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

• Six years customer service and/or quality assurance experience
• Six years supervisory/management experience
• Six years leading a membership team and achieving revenue goals
• Ability to work independently and manage complex projects within appropriate timeframes, established budgets and by agreed upon deadlines
• Experience working in public media fundraising
• Experience working with the Contributor Development Partnership as a Member Service Bureau client 
• Experience with Constituent Relationship Management software ROI Solutions 
• Experience using analytics tools and data-driven decision making
• Experience in nonprofits or fundraising certifications such as CFRE or AFP

Additional Applicant Information:

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.