Digital executive editor jobs

About Urban Design Group

The Urban Design Group (UDG) is a small but dynamic charity and professional membership organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in urban design. With nearly 1,500 members—including urban designers, built environment professionals, thought-leaders, educators, and enthusiasts—UDG fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and professional development. Through advocacy, education, and engagement, we champion high standards in urban design to create better places for people to live, work, and thrive. 

About the Role

As the main point of contact for UDG, the Membership and Administration Officer plays a pivotal role in the organisation’s day-to-day operations, ensuring an outstanding experience for members. As part of a small, dedicated team, the role focuses on managing membership operations, maintaining accurate records, facilitating effective communication, and supporting initiatives to grow and engage the membership. The post-holder may also assist with event coordination, general administration, and basic finance tasks, helping to keep UDG running efficiently and effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

Membership Services

• Serve as the main point of contact for all enquiries from members and the public, managing the membership administration inbox and providing prompt, professional, and helpful responses, triaging to colleagues where necessary.

• Administer all membership processes, including applications, renewals, terminations, and database updates, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

• Maintain UDG’s membership and finance records in QuickBooks and track renewal payments across all methods, liaising with the external finance team as needed.

• Coordinate specific membership categories, including:

  • Recognised Practitioner – receiving and checking applications, liaising with the Assessment Panel, and informing candidates of outcome.

  • Corporate Memberships – processing applications and setting up webpages.

  • University Memberships – coordinating with course leaders on journal distribution.

  • Subscription Bureau Memberships – managing arrangements with external providers.

• Collaborate with the Fundraising and Communications Manager to promote membership benefits and encourage member involvement with UDG activities and initiatives.

• Build and maintain targeted contact lists by identifying relevant groups, practices, and influential individuals for UDG outreach and engagement.

• Prepare and provide updated membership mailing data for distribution of UDG’s quarterly journal, Urban Design.

• Maintain a high standard of customer service, ensuring members feel engaged and valued.

Administration

Provide general administrative support for the UDG team as required including:

• Support for UDG Committees (Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, Editorial Board, Working Groups, and Awards Panel), such as:

  • Scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and circulating papers.

  • Producing concise, action-oriented minutes.

• Promptly process recruitment advertisement requests, including website postings and invoicing.

• Carry out routine updates to the UDG website, including the Urban Design Directory.

• Coordinate the scheduling for of activities, meetings and events.

• Support the Book Review Editor by coordinating the book review process, liaising with publishers and ensuring reviewers receive copies in a timely manner.

• Proactively identify opportunities to streamline administrative and membership processes.

Events

• Assist in the planning and delivery of online, hybrid, and in-person events in collaboration with the UDG Directors and the Fundraising and Communications Manager, including managing registrations, preparing materials, booking venues, and arranging catering.

• Provide basic technical support for online and hybrid events to ensure smooth execution.

Team working and collaboration

• Foster a collaborative working environment by maintaining regular communication with colleagues, Executive Committee members and others involved with the Group.

• Actively participate in UDG meetings and events, contributing ideas to support our organisational objectives.

• Take a hands-on, flexible approach within a small team.

Person Specification

• Essential Experience

  • Proven track record of delivering excellent customer service.

  • Experience managing memberships, databases or similar systems.

  • Experience facilitating and supporting committees and/or working groups.

• Essential Knowledge and Skills

  • Strong all-round administrative skills including recording keeping, servicing committees, note-taking, drafting documents, diary management etc.

  • Confident maintaining and interpreting membership data.

  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Office and Mac applications, as well as digital tools such as Zoom, SurveyMonkey, Mailchimp, and Eventbrite.

  • Understanding of basic bookkeeping principles (a working knowledge of Quickbooks or other online book-keeping systems would be highly advantageous).

  • Attention to detail and accuracy

• Personal Attributes

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (both written and oral).

  • A professional, friendly and customer-focused approach.

  • A team player, able to work collaboratively within a small team, supporting colleagues and willing to contribute beyond core responsibilities.

  • Highly organised with a proactive, resourceful, and solution-focused mindset.

  • Ability to work independently, take the initiative, and manage workload effectively.

  • Strong time management skills, able to meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities in a busy environment.

• Desirable Criteria

  • Experience coordinating events, including logistical planning and participant management.

  • Experience working in a professional or membership organisation.

  • An interest in urban design, architecture, or the built environment

  • Comfortable working as part of a small, hands-on team.

• Other Requirements

  • Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and meetings (overtime cannot be paid but time off in lieu provided).

  • Flexibility to travel elsewhere in the UK to support in person events, which may require an overnight stay, e.g. National Urban Design Conference (takes place annually in late September / early October).

  • Commitment to UDG's policies on sustainability, equalities, diversity, and inclusion.