EVP-Membership, Marketing, & Communications

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

Reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the EVP, Membership, Marketing & Communications will be responsible for Strategic Member Growth initiatives and Digital Transformation associated with the Brand, Marketing, Communication & Membership functional areas and serves as a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for advancing The IIA’s global brand, member value proposition, and organizational influence.

This role leads integrated strategies across content development, marketing, communications, membership engagement, and expansion growth opportunities with a focus on sustainable growth in North America and global alignment.

The EVP, Membership, Marketing & Communications serves as the executive sponsor for building a modern, digital-first marketing and communication ecosystem, deepening member engagement, expanding scale and member value via joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions, and championing a global, data-driven, and inclusive culture. This position requires visionary leadership, global perspective, and proven experience in advancing brand relevance and strategic communications in mission-driven organizations.

Key Areas of Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Impact

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic insight via organic and inorganic growth strategies, holistic digital transformation, marketing, communication, and membership domains.
• Integrate and align the organization’s global membership, marketing, and communication strategies with The IIA’s strategic plan and business priorities.
• Build and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams; foster a culture of collaboration, agility, and innovation.
• Represent The IIA externally as a thought leader and spokesperson, strengthening stakeholder confidence and expanding organizational reach.

Marketing, Communication & Digital Experience

Brand and Strategic Marketing

• Lead the development of The IIA’s global brand and creative identity to drive awareness, relevance, and engagement across target audiences.
• Design and execute integrated marketing campaigns across digital, social, content, and traditional channels.
• Ensure consistent brand messaging across all touchpoints, internally and externally, while cultivating brand ambassadors throughout the organization and chapter network.

Communication Strategy

• Direct the organization’s global communication strategy, including executive communications, public relations, crisis communication, and media engagement.
• Serve as a key architect of The IIA’s voice and narrative, ensuring clarity, consistency, and authenticity in all communications.
• Strengthen relationships with media, influencers, and industry stakeholders to elevate The IIA’s visibility and thought leadership.
• Enhance internal communication to foster transparency, alignment, and engagement across all levels of the organization.

Digital and Customer Experience

• Drive the organization’s digital transformation by advancing web presence, social media strategy, SEO, marketing automation, and CRM capabilities.
• Build a best-in-class digital and e-commerce experience that supports membership growth and knowledge product delivery.
• Leverage data and analytics to optimize audience engagement, marketing ROI, and member conversion and retention.

Business Intelligence & Insights

• Build and oversee a robust research and business intelligence function to inform strategic decisions, measure impact, and improve products, services, and communications.
• Develop executive dashboards and performance KPIs to evaluate campaign effectiveness and customer behavior.

Membership Growth & Engagement

Strategic Growth Partnerships, Mergers & Acquisitions

• Lead the analysis, identification and execution of acquisitive opportunities that enhance member value, increase organizational economies of scale and drive greater synergies for the benefit of operational effectiveness
• Serve as the architect of a ‘growth roadmap’, in alignment with Vision 2035 objectives

Member Strategy and Value

• Lead the development and execution of strategies that drive membership acquisition, retention, and engagement—across individual, group, executive, and student segments.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver a compelling and differentiated value proposition for all members.
• Utilize member insights to drive innovation in services, programming, and community engagement.

Chapter and Executive Relations

• Strengthen chapter relations through scalable support systems, metrics, and strategic alignment, particularly in North America.
• Build deeper relationships with Chief Audit Executives and senior executives through tailored experiences and high-value engagement strategies.

Academic and Student Engagement

• Redefine strategy for student outreach and academic engagement to drive interest in the internal audit profession.
• Influence university curriculum and partnerships to increase the pipeline of future members.

Customer Relations

• Lead efforts to improve customer service operations and satisfaction across all member touchpoints.
• Build and empower a responsive, insights-driven customer relations team that enhances the overall member experience.

Education, Qualifications & Competencies

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree (MBA or MA) strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive executive-level experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated success in leading high-performing teams, managing complex budgets, contracts, and cross-functional projects.
• Experience within a membership-based organization, association management, or internal audit environment is highly desirable.

Leadership Competencies & Core Capabilities

• Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to translate vision into actionable strategy and lead teams from concept through execution to achieve measurable, sustainable outcomes.
• Business Acumen: Strong functional expertise in marketing, membership, or customer engagement, supported by a deep understanding of systems, data, and business drivers.
• Analytical Thinking: Skilled in using data to inform strategy, assess performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Change Leadership: Demonstrated success in driving innovation, fostering a culture of adaptability, and leading transformational initiatives.
• Creative and Forward-Thinking: Brings a global and contemporary mindset to marketing and membership strategies, drawing from both corporate and nonprofit best practices.
• Execution Excellence: Balances strategic thinking with disciplined execution; able to operationalize ideas and ensure delivery.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Builds trusted relationships, navigates conflict constructively, and models collaborative leadership.
• Sound Judgment & Integrity: Makes timely, principled decisions aligned with organizational values; operates with the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
• Team Leadership: Inspires and develops diverse teams, builds high levels of engagement, and fosters a culture of shared ownership and accountability.
• Effective Communication: Drives alignment and motivation through clear, empowering communication across all levels of the organization.
• Global & Inclusive Mindset: Embraces a global perspective and applies culturally aware practices to engage diverse audiences and stakeholders effectively.