Associate Manager, Membership Programs & Initiatives

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Membership Initiatives, the Associate Manager, Membership Programs & Initiatives is responsible for independently shaping and leading assigned Membership programmes, initiatives and portfolios of related work from initial definition through implementation.

The role takes ambiguous or evolving Membership priorities, creates structure and clarity around the required outcomes, determines the work needed, brings together the right stakeholders and drives progress against agreed objectives and success measures. Working across functions and geographies, the role builds alignment without direct authority, navigates competing priorities and clarifies ownership, decisions and next steps.

The role also supports the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Membership governance, planning and reporting practices, applying proportionate delivery discipline as these practices evolve. The role owns delivery of assigned initiatives within Membership but does not own enterprise-wide portfolio prioritisation, organisational strategy, functional policy or resource allocation beyond assigned workstreams.
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead assigned Membership programmes and initiatives from initial definition through implementation, creating structure around ambiguous priorities and ensuring delivery against agreed outcomes, scope, timelines, milestones, dependencies, quality expectations and success measures.
• Determine the work, stakeholders, decisions and delivery approach required to move assigned priorities forward, translating them into integrated plans, implementation roadmaps and proportionate governance and tracking materials.
• Create alignment and drive coordinated delivery across Membership, Marketing, Product, Operations, Technology, regional teams, CFA Societies and external partners, including stakeholders in the US, India, China and other markets, ensuring clarity on outcomes, ownership, actions, decisions and dependencies.
• Lead working groups, programme forums and decision-making discussions to build shared understanding, navigate competing priorities, resolve ambiguity and delivery barriers, and sustain momentum and accountability across assigned initiatives.
• Exercise judgement in navigating risks, issues, resource constraints, sequencing challenges and interdependencies, developing practical options, facilitating resolution and escalating decisions where appropriate.
• Provide Membership leadership with clear insight and decision support through concise status updates, dashboards, executive summaries, programme materials and recommendations.
• Partner with initiative owners and Membership leadership to clarify intended outcomes, shape the delivery approach and translate agreed priorities into practical action, ensuring activity remains aligned to Membership objectives.
• Design and lead effective stakeholder engagement and programme communications across functions and geographies, ensuring decisions, commitments and next steps are understood and progressed.
• Support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Membership governance, portfolio planning, reporting and delivery practices, helping to establish fit-for-purpose tools, templates, forums and ways of working.
• Apply proportionate project, programme and portfolio management disciplines while Membership governance and reporting practices continue to evolve, adapting approaches to the needs, complexity and maturity of each initiative.
   

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible programme, initiative, transformation or project leadership experience, including independently shaping and leading complex business initiatives or portfolios of related work.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple concurrent initiatives, programmes or workstreams in a complex, matrixed and evolving environment.
• Experience creating structure around ambiguous business priorities, defining delivery approaches and applying governance, planning, risk, dependency and reporting disciplines proportionately. Proven ability to create alignment across functions and geographies without direct authority, navigate competing priorities, clarify ownership and drive shared outcomes.
• Experience leading work across multiple geographies and coordinating stakeholders in different regions, ideally including major markets such as the US, India and China.
• Experience translating complex or evolving information into clear recommendations, executive summaries, presentations and decision-support materials for managers and senior stakeholders.
• PMP, PRINCE2, Agile or equivalent project/programme management training or certification preferred.
   

COMPETENCIES

• Initiative and programme leadership, with the ability to take an ambiguous priority, define the path forward and independently lead delivery through implementation.
• Ability to apply proportionate governance and delivery discipline, including management of outcomes, scope, timelines, milestones, risks, issues, decisions and dependencies.
• Strong strategic planning and organisational capability, with the ability to create structure, establish priorities and maintain momentum across multiple evolving areas of work.
• Advanced stakeholder leadership and influencing skills, including the ability to create alignment across functions, cultures and geographies without direct authority and to navigate competing priorities constructively.
• Strong judgement and problem-solving ability, including the capacity to work through ambiguity, clarify ownership, develop practical options and facilitate or escalate decisions appropriately.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to lead complex discussions and present clear recommendations, executive summaries and decision-support materials.
• Business awareness and the ability to connect programme and initiative delivery to Membership objectives while helping to develop and embed evolving governance, planning and reporting practices.
• Comfort leading work in a matrixed, global environment, coordinating stakeholders across time zones and regions where priorities, dependencies and operating models may continue to evolve.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaboration tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, Confluence, Jira or similar applications.
   

LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

• Accountable - Takes ownership for shaping and delivering assigned programmes and initiatives and follows through on commitments, risks, decisions and outcomes.
• Agile - Creates clarity in ambiguity and adapts plans, governance and ways of working as priorities, dependencies and stakeholder needs evolve.
• Collaborative - Builds alignment and effective partnerships across functions and geographies to enable shared outcomes.
• Effective Communication - Communicates complex or evolving information clearly and succinctly, facilitating understanding and effective decision-making.
• Organisational Awareness - Navigates stakeholders, cultures, competing priorities, dependencies and evolving governance routes to move work forward.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees, including health coverage, generous time off, competitive retirement plans, flexible work options, and wellbeing and development programs. You can learn more on our careers site:Working at CFA Institute | Comprehensive Benefits

About CFA Institute

CFA Institute is the global leader in investment excellence and ethics. With nearly 200,000 charterholders across 160 markets, we promote professional growth, uphold ethical standards, and help advance better financial markets. Join a global organization committed to putting investors first.

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