Position description
About the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA)
Based in Washington, DC, the World Affairs Councils of America is a nonpartisan nonprofit membership organization that supports, strengthens, and represents a national network of 90 nonpartisan organizations working to deepen their communities’ global perspective.
Learn more at www.worldaffairscouncils.org.
Role Description
WACA’s membership manager will be responsible for supporting and engaging World Affairs Councils, along with individual and organizational members and donors, in the national network and strengthening the Council network. This full-time, primarily in-person position is based in Washington, DC, and reports to the chief executive officer.
Job Functions
Member Recruitment, Recognition, Retention, and Records Management (50%)
- Administer member directory (CRM), ensuring usable, accurate, current records
- Maintain regular communication and serve as the national office’s first point of contact for Councils, 1918 Society members, and organizational members
- Execute and institutionalize frameworks and processes for Councils and individual and organizational members, including outreach, registration and onboarding, member benefits and recognition, and retention
- Identify and remedy gaps in membership processes
- Work with the marketing and communications manager to keep marketing materials and relevant website sections up to date
- Track and ensure prompt collection, recognition, and benefits of membership dues, donations, and sponsorships
- Track membership trends and analyze data in reports; make relevant recommendations
- Support strategic thinking to grow the Council network and expand individual and organizational engagement with WACA
- Evaluate and evolve 1918 Society communication, offerings, and engagement
- Assist new and continuing Councils to find their place in the WACA national network
- Provide general customer service to Councils, individual and organizational members, and other stakeholders
Council Resource and Program Management and Development (35%)
- Catalogue and evaluate existing Council resources
- Plan, evolve, and implement Council resources, including how-to guides, orientations, best-practice calls, and other digital resources
- Coordinate WACA Roundtable and Council Huddle calls and ensure adequate preparation for volunteer leaders
- Lead planning, implementation, and development of virtual and in-person trainings and summits, including WACA 101, Leadership Day at the National Conference, and the annual Council Leadership Meeting
- Lead development, implementation, and evaluation of additional professional development opportunities for Council leaders and volunteers
Other (15%)
- Supervise one or more university interns
- Support event execution, including opening/closing or moderating virtual events, as required
- Support planning and implementation of WACA signature events such as Academic WorldQuest and the National Conference
- Attend Board and committee meetings as required and assist in the coordination of Board committees as determined by the chief executive officer
- Seek out and participate in ongoing professional development related to this position
- Other related duties as assigned; special projects as required
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, international studies, or other related field
- Four years’ related professional experience; a desire to grow as a nonprofit professional and global community member
- One year customer-service experience; a warm and welcoming demeanor
- Demonstrated passion for and knowledge of world affairs, global current events, and the mission of the World Affairs Councils network
- Developed cross-cultural competence, evidenced by prior work, study, or travel
- Strong communication skills in English, including copywriting and one-on-one conversation, evidenced by application materials and interview
- Proven time and project management, dependability, efficiency, organization, attention to detail, research skills, and team skills
- Creativity and the ability to solve problems with diplomacy, flexibility, and good judgment
- Professionalism and integrity, particularly with personal or confidential information
Preferred:
- Professional experience in the nonprofit or association sector
- Familiarity with hosting meetings on the Zoom platform
- Experience with CRM/database software and manipulating spreadsheets
- Experience with grant processes, applications, and evaluation
- Fluency in languages other than English
- Basic familiarity with HTML and WordPress
Environment and Other Expectations
The WACA office is located in downtown Washington, DC, with easy access to Metro and bus lines. WACA staff work in a fast-paced environment and should be prepared to balance multiple priorities and deadlines, take ownership of their projects, and work independently, as part of a team, and with a variety of interns, volunteers, board members, and other organizations. While this position will be primarily onsite, limited remote work on a consistent weekly schedule to be identified with the individual is permitted after an initial onboarding and team-building period. Applicants should reside in the greater Washington, DC, metropolitan area or be willing to relocate. This position involves primarily daytime, weekday hours on a consistent schedule to be identified with the individual. A limited amount of domestic travel is required for this role.
Application instructions
Please email a cover letter, resume, writing sample of no more than 500 words, and a list of three professional references to Matthew Hughes with “Membership Manager Application” as the subject. Please send all attachments as a single, combined PDF file. For priority consideration, applications should be received no later than Friday, July 25, 2025
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