Membership Development Manager - Paonia, CO; Highcountrynews

High Country News is hiring a Membership Development Manager to grow and sustain our readership and supporters in support of our award‑winning nonprofit media organization. This is a chance to help advance HCN’s mission as we draw a broader, more diverse public into vital conversations about land and water, climate and conservation, and the diverse human and natural communities of the Western United States.

The Membership Development Manager is a key member of HCN’s Product & Marketing team, leading hands‑on work to improve how readers become subscribers, donors, and long‑term supporters. This role focuses on strengthening acquisition, conversion, and retention across HCN’s audience funnel, working closely with colleagues in Fundraising, Editorial, Art, Business Operations, and Customer Service. The position works under the general supervision of the Director of Product & Marketing and owns projects end‑to‑end, from planning and execution through measurement and iteration.

The ideal candidate has experience in audience growth, membership development, reader revenue, fundraising or subscription‑based programs, and an appreciation for independent journalism. We especially welcome candidates that have a demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in their work.

• Identify and improve opportunities for first conversion, including newsletter sign‑ups, introductory subscription offers, and other low‑friction entry points.
• Use audience and performance data to evaluate how on‑site prompts, forms, messaging, and timing support first actions and iterate on improvements.
• Build and maintain systems that make it easy for audiences to take a first step across HCN, including landing pages, paywall interactions, and conversion campaigns using tools such as Word Press and Pelcro.
• Plan, build, launch, and iterate on email‑based conversion and lifecycle campaigns using Active Campaign and connected systems.
• Develop and maintain audience pathways that build understanding of HCN’s value and encourage subscriptions, donations, renewals, upgrades, and re‑engagement.
• Identify audience growth segments informed by interests, behavior, and mission alignment, with an emphasis on supporting a broad and diverse readership.
• Coordinate closely with Editorial, Fundraising, and Business Operations to align campaigns with content, audience readiness, and transactional workflows.
• Build and maintain conversion series, seasonal offers, introductory campaigns, and targeted follow‑ups within Active Campaign.
• Own retention, renewal, and re‑engagement performance for subscribers and other low‑touch donors, and improve outcomes through targeted interventions.
• Manage renewal and re‑engagement workflows, combining lifecycle messaging, transactional notifications, and coordinated email and postal outreach.
• Use reader feedback, surveys, and performance data to understand motivations and refine retention strategies.
• Incorporate prompts for additional actions such as gifting, sharing, or donating into renewal and retention efforts where appropriate.
• Collaborate with Fundraising, Customer Service, Business Operations, and external partners to resolve friction and maintain accurate records and workflows.
• Track and report on acquisition, conversion, and retention performance, translating data into clear insights and practical next steps.
• Contribute to inclusive, respectful, and effective practices that support diverse audiences and communities.

High Country News welcomes applicants from all life experiences, and we encourage members of traditionally under‑represented backgrounds to apply, including Indigenous people, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, women, and people with disabilities.

We’re most interested in hearing how your own skills, experience, and perspective would strengthen this role and benefit HCN and the communities we serve. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about HCN’s mission and values and committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in journalism and in working practices.

• Understands how to guide audiences from initial engagement to sustained…