Director of Member Engagement

The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is seeking a Director of Member Engagement to lead and implement a comprehensive engagement strategy that strengthens relationships with California’s 58 counties, supports member participation, and enhances the visibility of counties’ vital work. This position plays a critical role in ensuring CSAC remains a trusted, responsive, and valuable resource for its members.

The Director of Member Engagement will foster a strong sense of connection and collaboration between CSAC and its members, identify emerging needs and opportunities, and lead initiatives that encourage active involvement in CSAC’s programs, advocacy, and governance. The ideal candidate brings a member-first mindset, a deep understanding of public service, and the ability to cultivate trust and lasting relationships across a diverse statewide membership.

Job Duties                                                                                                                                          

• Lead the development and execution of a member engagement strategy that reflects CSAC’s mission and meets the evolving needs of California’s counties.
• Serve as the primary liaison for member engagement, building and maintaining strong relationships with county officials, staff, and external partners.
• Proactively identify opportunities to strengthen member participation in CSAC’s events, advocacy efforts, educational offerings, and leadership roles.
• Develop and manage communications, tools, and resources that support county engagement, including newsletters, surveys, toolkits, onboarding materials, and program updates.
• Coordinate regular member outreach efforts—such as regional visits, listening sessions, and one-on-one meetings—to gather feedback and ensure CSAC is responsive and inclusive.
• Collaborate across internal teams to ensure programs, events, and policy initiatives are aligned with member interests and communicated effectively.
• Support planning and promotion of major member-facing events such as the CSAC Annual Meeting, Legislative Conference, and regional visits.
• Track engagement metrics, assess member satisfaction, and use data to refine engagement strategies and improve services.
• Elevate stories of member impact, innovation, and leadership through content development and partnership with the public affairs and communications team.

Distinguishing Characteristics                                                                                               

• The Director of Member Engagement manages a budget and supervises subordinate staff.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.

Knowledge Required                                                                                                              

• Strong understanding of California’s county government structure and the challenges and opportunities facing local public agencies.
• Demonstrated success in member relations, outreach, constituent services, or stakeholder engagement—preferably within a public-sector or association setting.
• Principles of personnel management and supervision including planning, coordinating, and evaluating the work and activities of staff
• Budgetary principles

Skills Required                                                                                                                       

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to develop trust-based relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information in a clear, accessible, and compelling manner.
• Experience designing and leading initiatives that foster meaningful participation, member satisfaction, and retention.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across departments and with member committees and leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM (Customer Relationship Management) or association management systems, and digital communications tools.

Physical Requirements                                                                                                          

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Willingness to travel throughout California and work occasional evenings and weekends for member events or outreach.

•  Bachelor’s degree in public administration, communications, political science, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in member engagement, public affairs, association management, or local government relations.

Send your resume to resumes@counties.org.