Director of Membership & Inclusion

Location: London/Hybrid

Salary: Highly competitive

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Closing Date: Monday, 18 August

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is seeking an exceptional individual to join our Executive Team as Director of Membership & Inclusion - a pivotal new role that will help shape the future of the Institute and the wider physics community.

As the learned society and professional body for physics in the UK and Ireland, the IOP exists to promote the advancement of physics and to support physicists who transform our world.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead meaningful change and impact at one of the UK’s most respected scientific institutions. As part of a forward-thinking and collaborative Executive Team, you will help us deliver our ambitious vision of unlocking the full potential of physics and physicists for the benefit of all.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director of Membership & Inclusion will lead our efforts to attract, engage and support members throughout their careers – from early-stage physicists to established professionals. You will be instrumental in embedding inclusion into everything we do, ensuring that equity, diversity and accessibility are at the heart of our mission, and support our work to ensure that everyone feels welcome and included in physics.

You will oversee the Membership & Inclusion department, with strategic responsibility for member engagement, professional support, diversity and inclusion, as well as all regional activity across the UK, the devolved nations and Ireland. The role will also contribute significantly to organisational governance, delivery excellence and cultural development across the IOP.

Key responsibilities will include leading on the development and implementation of membership strategies to drive engagement, retention and growth across diverse professional communities, as well as guiding and supporting professional development and registration pathways. You’ll oversee our communities, member groups and events, as well as our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) agenda, including flagship programmes like the Physics Inclusion Award and Limit Less, and shape and lead engagement with the devolved nations and English regions, ensuring local perspectives inform national priorities and programmes.

You’ll be a values driven, visionary leader with extensive senior experience within a membership organisation or professional body, with a strong track record in delivering membership engagement strategies, professional recognition programmes and inclusion-focused initiatives.

You’ll offer a deep understanding of managing cross-functional, regional teams, as well as EDI best practice and the ability to embed inclusive values across the organisation. You’ll also be a collaborative, strategic and influential leader with experience of building high-performing cultures, who can represent IOP at the highest levels with clarity and credibility.

A background in science, education, or technical disciplines is desirable but not essential.

We offer a supportive, flexible, and inclusive working environment with excellent benefits, including a generous pension scheme, 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays), and a hybrid working model.

To find out more, please request the Applicant Pack produced for this role, from Julian Smith at Memcom Executive, our retained recruitment consultancy via Julian@memcom.org.uk.