Director of Membership at CILIP; Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals

Director of Membership at CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals)

Remote

Full time

Permanent

CILIP

Director of Membership

Salary: £75,000 per annum for London-based candidates; £70,200 for candidates based outside London

Working Pattern: Full-time, 35 hours per week (part-time or flexible working patterns may be considered)

Location: Remote, with regular travel across the UK

Contract: Permanent

Atkinson HR Consulting is pleased to be supporting CILIP, the UK’s library and information association, in the recruitment of its next Director of Membership.

CILIP represents over 8,000 members across the library, information and knowledge sectors. As the organisation enters a period of transformation, this is an exciting opportunity to reshape its membership offer, strengthen engagement and build a more sustainable future.

As Director of Membership, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across membership, communities and partnerships, events and awards, communications and marketing, and customer services.

You will develop and deliver a membership strategy focused on reversing declining membership numbers and renewals, improving the member experience and driving sustainable growth. You will lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, strengthen relationships with volunteers and member networks, and use data and insight to ensure CILIP’s offer reflects what members value.

As a member of the Executive Team, you will contribute to the wider leadership of the organisation, balancing strategic priorities with financial sustainability and leading colleagues through a period of significant change.

CILIP is looking for an experienced senior leader from a membership organisation, professional body, charity or similar environment, with a track record of growing membership, improving retention or increasing engagement.

You will bring strong commercial and financial judgement, experience of leading multidisciplinary teams and confidence in using data to inform decisions and improve performance. You will be comfortable working with volunteers, committees and senior stakeholders, and able to challenge established ways of working while bringing people with you.

Above all, you will be a collaborative and inclusive leader who shares CILIP’s commitment to social justice, intellectual freedom and evidence-based practice, and is passionate about the power of information, knowledge and libraries to change lives.

For further information about the organisation and role, please download the candidate information pack linked on the right hand side of the page.

Final interviews: Wednesday 9 December 2026 (in person)