Membership and Engagement Specialist

Job Description

Job Description:\n\n Job Title: Membership and Engagement Specialist Budgeted Annual Salary Range: $21/hr Business Unit:   Policy and Impact Home Department:  Alliance for Nonprofit Impact Worker Category:   F - Full-time  FLSA Code:   N – Non-exempt  EEOC Job Classification:   2 - Professionals Standard Hours:   75  Pay Grade:   2 Granted Funded Date:  NA About United Way of Rhode Island: Our vision is a Rhode Island where every individual in each community has an equal opportunity for justice and prosperity. Since our inception in 1926, the United Way of Rhode Island has effectively moved people from crisis to stability while working to shore up the systems that provide support across the community. When called to action in the face of a global pandemic, we proved that we were built over the last 95 years to be uniquely equipped to effectively harness resources from government, corporations, non-profits, and individuals to address the many significant crises affecting all of us. The pandemic spotlighted how the war on poverty during the past 50 years has not created opportunity and prosperity for all community members. In particular, where you live, and the color of your skin can make it challenging to live, learn, and thrive in Rhode Island. That is why, when launching our Live United 2025 strategic plan, we committed to a new mission of uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. To deliver on the goals of Live United 2025, we must go "deep, rather than wide," with investments and partners to target the root causes that have thwarted Rhode Island's ability to thrive. We serve all Rhode Islanders in need by tackling Rhode Island's great challenge: Reversing the racial inequities that have plagued Rhode Island's Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities for generations. That means we are applying all our assets and approaches, including delivery of direct services, strategic community investments, advocacy, and coalition building to build a better Rhode Island for all. We are applying these tools in the following areas of need: Invest United: We build non-profit resiliency and leadership development through our Invest United pillar. We empower donors, engage corporations, and connect Rhode Islanders with giving and volunteering opportunities. Lift United: Through our Lift United pillar, we invest in affordable housing, improve care coordination, and expand access to adult education and job training. We also support the growth and stability of women- and minority-owned businesses.Achieve United: Through our Achieve United pillar, we work to ensure that all Rhode Island children walk into the classroom with the tools to learn. This includes increasing literacy levels and expanding access to after-school and summer-learning programs.Advocate United: Through public policy and research, we drive systemic change through our Advocate United pillar. And, because democracy is not a spectator sport, we train Rhode Islanders to be advocates and work to increase voter turnout. A key strategy in our Invest United pillar was the launch of the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact in January 2024. This new statewide resource hub is designed to support nonprofit staff, strengthen nonprofit organizations and improve the ecosystem in which nonprofits work. While the Center will have resources available to all nonprofits, the priority audience is community-based organizations led by leaders of color, and smaller organizations. Position Summary: The Engagement Specialist at the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact is the first customer service point of contact for nonprofit staff, and the primary support staff for member engagement programs and resources. The Engagement Specialist is responsible for fielding inquiries, connecting members to Alliance tools and resources, and assisting with virtual and in-person events and programs. Key Responsibilities: Serve as the first point of contact and deliver quality customer service to current and prospective Alliance members, respond quickly to membership and resource queries.Provide support for Alliance partnership with the Health Equity Zone Training and Technical Assistance Program, particularly in assisting with logistics of Health Equity Zone Learning Community Days and other training initiatives, coordinating with presenters and vendors, as well as support for initiatives funded by Health Equity Zone Training and Technical Assistance Program funding.Provide support for new members and answer questions about membership benefits and Alliance technology platforms like Alliance HQ, Give4GoodRI, 401Gives, and Volunteer Center.Provide assistance for members in response to queries and make appropriate referrals to other relevant Alliance staff and service providers, connect members to resources, and work collaboratively with capacity-building providers. Support the Alliance Communications and Program Manager in the logistics and preparation of virtual and in-person events and training for members and contracted partners, including publicity, registration, accessible venue selection, event set up and support, and post-event communication with presenters and registrants.Communicate with vendors, facilitators, speakers and service providers to coordinate preparation and arrangements.Support the Communications and Program Manager and Operations Manager to keep Alliance technology platforms up to date with current program and event information, and support communications with members through the association management software platform, newsletter and social media.Support the Communications and Program Manager in the development of a Resource Library for nonprofits, as well as the logistics for the expansion of pro bono office hours and Flash Consulting (one hour consults with content experts).Support the Operations Manager on data management, and pulling reports and data from technology platforms to support the Alliance dashboard and internal and external reporting.In partnership with Alliance team members, provide input on the development of Alliance programming in response to member inquiries and requests, to ensure the Center is responsive to the evolving needs of the sector, particularly the needs of BIPOC-led and small nonprofits.Establish and foster positive relationships with United Way of Rhode Island staff and governing and advisory boards, Center members, speakers and capacity-building partners, and other stakeholders, including other nonprofit staff/board members, funders, policymakers, and community members. Represent the Alliance at events, including staffing information tables at nonprofit events to share information about the Alliance. In partnership with the Director, supervise volunteers and interns as needed. Manage other special projects and reports as needed. Values: The Alliance is the culmination of an inclusive design process led by a Design Team of 11 local nonprofit leaders. In partnership with the Design Team, and in response to feedback offered by over 400 stakeholders, United Way leadership has adopted the following values to guide the development of the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact: Centering nonprofits – We are responsive to and led by Rhode Island nonprofits. We recognize the strength and autonomy each organization brings, and we will continuously evolve to best support their work. We will raise the visibility of the nonprofit sector’s important contributions and work to build a strong, sustainable sector of growing, thriving nonprofits.Racial equity – We value the impact that organizations led by people of color bring to communities. We are committed to challenging unjust systems and ensuring that organizations led by people of color have the freedom, access to resources, and knowledge to thrive.Accessibility for all – We work to ensure all services and spaces are accessible physically and with regard to disability, language, geography, race, ethnicity, and financial means. Intersectionality – We recognize that various identities are imbued with differential historical legacies of power and marginalization and make each of us individuals, we work to build deeper understanding, connection, and support across identity-based communities so that together we can have a more meaningful impact for the people of Rhode Island.Cultivating connections – We are stronger when we work together, we connect nonprofits with each other for sharing knowledge and resources, with funders in pursuit of more equitable access to resources, and with policymakers to push for systemic change. United Way of Rhode Island is looking for candidates who demonstrate their ability to carry out these Alliance for Nonprofit Impact values, as well as United Way’s core organizational values as follows: Impact through equity – Apply an equity lens in the development and evaluation of the Center’s programs and services, be able to develop trust-based relationships with diverse constituencies, and work to address structural inequities that have made it difficult for nonprofits led by people of color, those led by people with disabilities, and others to access resources and grow their impact. Help to support all Rhode Island nonprofit organizations to better understand issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) and to incorporate both internal and external policies and practices that reflect JEDI principles and lead to equitable outcomes.Respect and value all – Be an inclusive team player who builds and fosters internal and external collaboration and partnerships, and is receptive and responsive to input and ideas from various constituencies.Lead with a growth mindset – Demonstrate a learning mindset and eagerness to develop new skills. Demonstrate commitment to empowering and equipping nonprofit staff, and building the capacity of individual nonprofits as well as the sector as a whole.Be a legendary partner – Develop strong working relationships with capacity-building partners, funders and policymakers. Take initiative to share helpful resources and to develop programming in response to existing and emerging needs and requests.Strive for excellence – Provide high quality programming and customer service to ensure that Center members experience significant value and benefits from their membership and engagement with the Center. Qualifications: The following qualifications listed represent our current thinking for the role. You can be a great candidate even if you do not check off everything we describe below. You can also have essential skills, experiences, and strengths we have not thought of. If so, we encourage you to apply and tell us about yourself! Two years’ paid or unpaid experience in nonprofit work, customer service, event planning or educational programming/training.Excellent customer service and communication skills – ability to respond quickly to questions and inquiries, ability to communicate with diverse audiences, enjoy meeting new people and helping them to access appropriate resources. Adept with technology, able to quickly learn new platforms, and patient in providing training or technical assistance for others learning new platforms.Deep commitment to the vision of strengthening the capacity and impact of community-based organizations.Strong listening skills, and the ability to understand the challenges articulated by nonprofit staff, in order to connect them to relevant resources, and to work with Alliance team to develop programming in response to challenges articulated.Commitment to principles of racial equity.Excellent interpersonal and training skills as well as written and verbal communications skills, bilingual in Spanish a plus.Must be well organized, detail-oriented, able to manage competing priorities, demonstrate persistent follow-up, and meet tight deadlines. Willingness to learn, to innovate, and be comfortable in an evolving, startup role.Ability to work independently and as part of a team.Knowledge of Rhode Island nonprofit community is a plus.Experience with Microsoft 365 including Teams and database systems. Willingness to learn new technology as required.Must have reliable transportation, as this job requires traveling to and from partnership meetings, events, and meeting with members around the state. Position involves walking, ability to move tables and chairs and other room setup needs and/or carrying small packages and materials. From time to time, position will require commitment to evening and weekend hours. Compensation & Benefits: Salary – commensurate with relevant experience and skills, and within a budgeted range of $40,000-$45,000. Benefits – comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, dental, and vision coverage; flexible spending account; retirement match; and more. Work-Life Balance – 37.5-hour workweeks on average; earn 20 days of paid leave annually; 3 floating holiday days, 2 personal days, and 9 sick days. Learning & Development – individual and collective programs to support staff in achieving organizational and career objectives, e.g., CliftonStrengths® by Gallup Strengths and Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI). We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.