The Membership Director, China serves as the in-market membership expert and accountable leader for developing and executing strategies, plans, and tactics that drive member acquisition, engagement, retention, and satisfaction, that align with global and market strategies and initiatives. Success requires strong cross-functional collaboration and partnering closely with global and regional colleagues, ensuring understanding of membership landscape and that approaches are embedded in team goals and plans.
This role is supported by the Head of China with a matrix reporting relationship into the global Director, Membership Growth Initiatives.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
China Market Membership Leadership, Strategy & Localization
- Lead the development, implementation, and execution of China market membership strategies, plans, and tactics aligned to Global Membership and China Market strategies and priorities.
- Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the China market, member needs, regulatory context, and competitive landscape; translate insights into actionable recommendations and prioritized initiatives.
- Act as the in-market membership subject matter expert providing guidance and insights to China and global stakeholders on membership audience and needs, and relevant approaches to acquisition, engagement, and retention in the China market.
- Serve as the escalation point for complex membership matters requiring China market expertise, partnering with global teams as needed to resolve issues and improve the member experience.
- Lead the design, planning, and delivery of member programs and initiatives in China, including acquisition and retention activities and the delivery of member benefits such as professional development offerings, career support, and opportunities for building community and connection.
- Ensure relevance across priority audiences (members, candidates, prospective members, employers, universities, and societies), alignment with related stakeholder plans, and that budgets and timeline are met.
Stakeholder Leadership, Collaboration & Influence
Collaborate and influence stakeholders across the China regional office and global organization—particularly regional government and employer relations, and across university relations, marketing, society relations, and member value—to build feasible and effective, coordinated plans that are aligned with enterprise strategy, timelines, and standards, and support membership growth in China.
Facilitate decision-making, communication, and coordinated execution across global and local teams to ensure initiatives are delivered on time, within approved guidelines and budgets, and with measurable impact.
Partnership examples include:
- Partner with Marketing to shape and execute successful campaigns that increase awareness, adoption, retention, and perceived value of CFA Institute membership and associated benefits.
- Partner with Business Development to build perceived value of CFA Charterholders with employers for hiring preference and supporting dues payment.
- Partner with Government Relations to build and secure government support for CFA charterholders and new membership classes.
- Partner with Society Relations to develop and deliver events and community engagement initiatives across the China society network that deliver member value for both CFA Institute and society members in China.
- Partner with Membership to ensure global benefits meet market needs and/or identify where and how benefits should be developed and delivered locally.
Data, Operations, Governance & Regulatory Alignment
- Ensure membership initiatives comply with China’s regulatory, data privacy, and operational requirements, and adhere to China RO processes and governance expectations.
- Partner with global technology, data, and marketing teams to ensure accurate member data management and effective, locally compliant communication with China-based members.
- Deliver reporting, analysis, and executive-ready insights on membership performance, risks, and opportunities in China to inform decisions and improvements locally and globally.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field required; advanced degree or MBA preferred.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in membership management, growth marketing, client engagement, or professional services, preferably within a membership-based or subscription organization.
- Experience working in the financial services industry in China, or strong familiarity with the local investment industry and professional landscape preferred.
- Understanding of Chinese FNGO regulatory environment is highly desirable.
- Proven experience leading cross-functional initiatives and coordinating work across global and local stakeholders.
- Highly collaborative style with proven experience in building strong rapport and influence with key stakeholder or client relationships using good judgement and mature business skills.
- Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a matrixed organization preferred.
- Experience working in environments with regulatory, data privacy, or compliance constraints, with the ability to balance local requirements and global standards.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data to inform decisions and improve member value.
- Excellent communication and relationship-management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with members, societies, partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to translate local market insights into clear recommendations that inform regional or global initiatives.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, global environment.
- Fluency in Mandarin and English required.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- Some regional and global travel will be required as well as occasional travel to CFA Institute conferences, meetings and events. Approximately 15%.
CULTURAL ELEMENTS AND GLOBAL COMPETENCIES
- Global Perspective – Understands the global investment profession and effectively navigates cultural, geographic, and market differences when working across regions.
- Agility – Adapts quickly to changing priorities, regulatory environments, and market dynamics; remains flexible and solution-oriented.
- Effective Communication – Communicates clearly and professionally across cultures and functions; listens actively and conveys complex ideas in accessible ways.
- Stakeholder Focus – Builds trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders and delivers solutions that meet shared objectives.
POSITION-BASED ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES
- Leadership & Ownership – Demonstrates accountability for outcomes, provides operational clarity, and drives initiatives forward while supporting CFA Institute’s mission.
- Stakeholder Coordination & Influence – Effectively collaborates across global teams, local societies, and partners to align priorities and deliver shared outcomes.
- Project & Process Management – Organizes resources, manages timelines, and implements processes that support effective delivery of initiatives.
- Planning & Execution – Translates strategic priorities into actionable plans and successfully delivers programs and initiatives.
- Problem Solving – Analyzes complex situations, identifies root causes, and develops practical solutions in evolving environments.
- Learning Agility – Quickly learns new concepts, adapts to unfamiliar challenges, and continuously improves through experience and feedback.
About CFA Institute
CFA Institute are the global leader in investment excellence and ethics. With nearly 200,000 charterholders across 160 markets, we drive professional growth, ethical behavior, and better markets. We care about our employees’ well-being, offering industry-leading benefits like:
Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family
Generous leave and time off
Competitive retirement plans
Flexible work options
Wellness, education, and support programs
If you feel this opportunity could be the next step in your career, we encourage you to click “Apply” and complete our three-minute application.
Be part of a team committed to putting investors first and growing economies. Follow us @CFAInstitute on LinkedIn and X.
Important Message: Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements as CFA Institute cannot make assumptions about your education, experience, or location. We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. CFA Institute prohibits both discrimination and harassment with regard to all identifying characteristics: any individual employee, group of employees, or prospective employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, creed or belief, age, marital or partnership status, marital or family status, care giver status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, physical abilities/qualities, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, predisposing genetic characteristic, military or veteran status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence or sex offense or stalking, unemployment status, infectious disease carrier status, migrant worker status, educational background, socio-economic status, geographic location and culture or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy impacts all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, development, promotion, demotion, layoff, recall, furlough, transfer, leave of absence, and dismissal. This is a global policy that applies to all CFA Institute employees, regardless of location.
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