The Head of Membership is responsible for the leadership, development and delivery of SOLT & UK Theatre’s membership offer, ensuring members are engaged, supported and able to thrive.
Working closely with the Director of Membership & External Affairs, the role leads the organisation’s member engagement, services and programme activity, translating member insight and organisational priorities into high-quality, joined-up experiences. The postholder plays a critical role in connecting membership, advocacy and operational delivery, ensuring member needs are understood, addressed and reflected across the organisation’s work—while building strong relationships with members, stakeholders and partners across the UK theatre sector.
Contract Type: Permanent contract, 35 hours per week over Monday to Friday. Some evening work and weekend work may be required.
Salary: circa £65,000
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
- Development and delivery of a high quality and strategic member programme – i.e. forums, training, other events, resources and activities that support member to thrive – ensuring key themes and conversations continue and evolve throughout the year
- Curate the annual Theatre Conference content ensuring a diversity of relevant and engaging speakers and sessions that tie into our wider member programme.
- Lead sales strategy for the conference and other paid-for events to ensure the opportunity reaches a wide audience.
- Coordinate across the org to deliver a cohesive member experience including working with Events, Ticket/Commercial and Advocacy teams to set standards for member engagement and ensure a seamless experience for members
- Development of membership structures and strategies, that evolve and adapt to modern theatre and performing arts sector
- Oversight of member on and off boarding including leading the annual membership review process
- Deep understanding of SOLT & UK Theatre members and their intersectionality – actively engaging with members on a regular basis, including travel to venues around the country
- Lead development of a membership engagement plan which ensures we understand and are seen as value to the full breadth of SOLT & UK Theatre’s collective membership, including how we engage with existing collections of theatre organisations (e.g. Independent Theatre Council, Mid-scales etc.)
- Manage and develop collaborative relationships with aligned organisations, identifying ways to work in partnership to the benefit of our members, including but not limited to the Theatre Green Book, the Independent Theatre Council, FST, Crue Cymru, Theatre NI, Association of British Orchestras and others.
- Manage the member complaints process and handle sensitive membership matters with discretion as required.
- Work closely with the Director of Membership & External Affairs and the Advocacy team to identify key issues for members, now and in the future, including collaborating on member surveys to gain insights into member challenges, opportunities and opinions.
- Coordinate responses to new and emerging issues ensuring the organisation remains on the front foot, including providing rapid responses to sudden or unexpected changes or events.
- Manage and develop collaborative relationships across the organisation to help shape, align, and deliver the proactive storytelling of the industry and its members.
- Oversight of delivery of services, working closely with colleagues to ensure high quality and consistent delivery of ER, HR and Risk and Sustainability services, and explore the potential for AI to improve efficiency and breadth of services.
- Lead responsibility for our CRM system, how it is used and how it is developed to ensure we are managing members and maximising the value of our data.
- Provide oversight of governance and the management of the membership budget to ensure the effective and timely collection of membership fees.
- Provide strategic oversight of the preparation of relevant Board and committee papers, and lead presentations to the Board and senior forums as required.
- Lead and oversee the governance, effectiveness, and impact of membership subcommittees, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and member priorities.
- Build and sustain strong, influential relationships with key stakeholders, including Board members and senior leaders, acting as a trusted adviser on membership matters.
- Responsibility for ensuring relevant and timely information is provided to members, including curating content for the monthly member newsletter, identifying monthly key messages for members, and developing and delivering a content plan for the SOLT & UK Theatre websites.
- Represent SOLT & UK Theatre at our own events and external events as needed, which may include some evenings and weekends (for example, the UK Theatre Awards, West End LIVE, press nights across the UK).
- Any other duties as required within the scope of the role.
Directorate
This role sits within the Membership and External Affairs team, whose focus is to ensure we have a growing, engaged and united membership including a skilled, diverse and productive workforce for now and the future. Our team plays a key role in helping to retain and recruit members and develop high quality member benefits and services. We actively engage with members regularly and build relationships to nurture member insights and activities.
Reporting to your line manager: Director of Membership & External Affairs
Direct Line Report: Member Engagement Manager, Programme Manager and the Risk & Sustainability Manager
Please note that SOLT & UK Theatre is unable to provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must therefore have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.