Member Engagement & Development Manager

Position Summary

The Member Engagement and Development Manager is responsible for strengthening the Chamber’s member and community relationships through proactive engagement, thoughtful communication, partnership development, and consistent follow-through. This position supports the Chamber’s long-term sustainability by helping members, sponsors, and community partners connect meaningfully with Chamber programs, initiatives, and opportunities.

This role is designed as a salaried, non-commission position with organizational goals related to membership growth, retention, sponsorship development, and community engagement. The position may be structured as full-time or approximately 30 hours per week, depending on available funding and final organizational needs.

The ideal candidate is an organized, relationship-centered business development professional who enjoys building trust with local employers, understanding member priorities, coordinating deliverables, and ensuring businesses experience consistent value through Chamber participation. Success in this role comes from strong communication, attention to detail, responsiveness, and the ability to cultivate long-term relationships that strengthen the Chamber’s visibility and impact throughout the community.

This position reports to the President/CEO.

Employment Structure

Schedule: Full-time

Compensation: $55,000

Location: Must be based in Bellingham, WA

Commission: This is not a commission-based role.

Incentive Opportunity: The Chamber may include a bonus or incentive structure tied to exceeding clearly defined revenue, membership, sponsorship, or retention goals.

Key ResponsibilitiesMember Engagement & Retention

• Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing members to better understand business needs, priorities, and opportunities for engagement.
• Serve as a trusted and responsive point of contact for members, sponsors, and community partners.
• Support member retention efforts through proactive communication, thoughtful follow-up, and a high level of service.
• Help members maximize the value of Chamber participation by connecting them with relevant programs, events, sponsorship opportunities, and resources.
• Support renewal efforts by identifying at-risk members, following up on member concerns, and reinforcing the value of Chamber participation.
• Maintain current knowledge of Chamber initiatives, advocacy priorities, events, and member benefits in order to communicate opportunities effectively.

CRM, Coordination & Organizational Follow-Through

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of prospects, members and member interactions, sponsorship conversations, renewals, and engagement activities in the Chamber’s CRM or tracking system.
• Track progress and report on revenue goals, sales, membership, sponsorship, and engagement reports, providing clear and consistent reporting to the President/CEO.
• Coordinate closely with Chamber staff to ensure sponsorship deliverables, member communications, event visibility, invoicing, and partnership commitments are completed accurately and on time.
• Ensure strong internal communication, clear expectations, and consistent follow-through across all member and partner interactions.
• Maintain organized workflows and manage multiple priorities with professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail.

Business Development & Revenue Growth

• Identify, cultivate, and secure new Chamber memberships through outreach, referrals, networking, relationship building, and ongoing engagement.
• Develop and maintain a well-organized pipeline of prospective members, sponsors, and strategic partners.
• Prepare and coordinate membership materials, sponsorship information, proposals, and follow-up communications in a professional and timely manner throughout Whatcom County. Support organizational revenue goals through relationship-based engagement that aligns business needs with Chamber opportunities and initiatives.

Sponsorships, Partnerships & Community Relationships

• Cultivate sponsorship and partnership opportunities that align with Chamber programs, events, and strategic priorities.
• Actively support and participate in Chamber events and programs, especially where member engagement, sponsorship fulfillment, or business development opportunities are involved.
• Maintain professional relationships with business owners, community leaders, civic partners, and other stakeholders, using each opportunity to strengthen relationships, identify prospective members, support retention, and expand Chamber visibility and value in the community
• Represent the Chamber in the community with professionalism, credibility, and enthusiasm.
• Other duties, as assigned.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means:

• Members feel welcomed, supported, informed, and connected to the Chamber community.
• Relationships with members, sponsors, and community partners are strengthened through consistent communication and follow-through.
• Membership growth and sponsorship development occur through trust-based engagement and strong community relationships.
• Projects, communications, sponsorship deliverables, and follow-up activities are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Revenue and engagement goals are tracked thoughtfully and communicated clearly.
• The Chamber is represented professionally and positively throughout the business community.
• The President/CEO has clear visibility into relationship activity, organizational progress, and emerging opportunities.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring:

• 3 years of experience in relationship management, member engagement, business development, account management sponsorship coordination, fundraising, community engagement, or similar related relationship-based revenue work.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust and maintain relationships across a diverse business community.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate projects, and maintain professionalism in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfort initiating outreach, scheduling meetings, facilitating conversations, and maintaining ongoing communication with members and partners. Ability to understand business needs and connect those needs to Chamber membership, programs, services, and opportunities.
• Strong organization, time management, and follow-through.
• Comfort using CRM systems, spreadsheets, email, and standard office technology.
• Knowledge of Whatcom County’s business community is preferred.
• Prior Chamber, nonprofit, association, economic development, or community-based organization experience is helpful but not required.

Work Environment & Expectations

• Work is primarily performed in an office, business, event, and community setting.
• Local travel throughout Whatcom County is expected for member visits, prospect meetings, events, and community engagement.
• Some early morning, evening, or occasional weekend work may be required for Chamber events or member activities.
• A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and appropriate insurance may be required.
• The position requires regular use of a computer, phone, CRM, email, and standard office equipment.
• The role may require occasional lifting or event support activity consistent with Chamber operations.
• Must be able to lift at least 10 pounds.

Organizational Alignment

• Reports to the President/CEO.
• Works closely with Chamber staff responsible for events, operations, communications, member services, and finance.
• May coordinate with volunteers, ambassadors, board members, committee members, sponsors, and community partners.
• No direct supervisory responsibilities are anticipated unless the role is later expanded.

About the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce supports the local business community by connecting leaders, strengthening relationships, encouraging regional economic vitality, and advocating for a healthy and sustainable business environment. The Chamber serves as a convener, connector, and resource for businesses and organizations throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County.

Pay: $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bellingham, WA 98226