Director of Annual Giving

Director, Annual Giving

Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters has an opening for a full-time, Director, Annual Giving. Responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, execution and ongoing data analysis of donor acquisition, extra gifts, and lapsed programs for Direct Marketing.  Lead a team of professionals in the development and execution of traditional and non-traditional direct marketing plans to promote and increase revenue for Ducks Unlimited.  Works closely with Managing Director of Direct Marketing to ensure all strategies and tactics are aligned with Direct Marketing’s fundraising objectives.  

The position will report to the Managing Director, Direct Marketing.   

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the strategic management and oversight of assigned direct marketing programs that acquire, cultivate, retain, and reactivate donors through traditional and non-traditional direct marketing channels. Recommends strategies to maximize Ducks Unlimited awareness and fundraising.  
• Prepare annual program budgets and conduct monthly analysis of performance to revenue and expenses.  
• Oversees direct marketing programs, including setting the strategy for each direct marketing tactic, evaluating the creative/copy elements, analysis results including costs, revenues, and ROI for each campaign.  
• Develops strategy briefs for planned strategic and tactical integrated omni-channel direct marketing campaigns.  
• Manages the strategic understanding of donor behavior to optimize assigned programs and improve key performance indicators.   Responsible for campaign level donor segmentation.  
• Provides strategic direction to DU internal/external partners for development and implementation of strategies and plans.   Collaborates with cross-functional teams on offline and online direct marketing campaigns.  
• Recommends strategic adjustment as necessary including changes in spending based on program performance and external factors.
• Assist Managing Director of Direct Marketing with strategic planning. 
• Ensures optimal donor experience is achieved through data trend analysis and applies learned to special micro-segments of donors, prospects, and other constituents for Direct Marketing.  
• Identifies opportunities for budgeted new initiatives as well as incremental improvements based on marketplace trends and research.  
• Collaborate with Director, Data Analytics & Campaign Architecture identifying audience selections for omni-channel campaigns and on-going data analysis.  
• Maintains and develops direct marketing program(s) reports to effectively manage the business on a daily basis.  Provides regularly scheduled reports and monthly presentations to Managing Director, Direct Marketing.  
• In collaboration with Digital and external agency, take lead in developing and continually optimizing a donor-centric onboarding welcome series (offline and online).   
• Serve as point of contact for partnership opportunities (BassPro, FNBO, etc) to drive awareness and revenue.        
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with external partners.  
• Coach and develop a team with the goal of meeting/exceeding established revenue goals.  
• Collaborate with Direct Marketing leaders weekly on departmental updates, challenges, and propose recommendations to enhance performance metrics.  
• Researches and monitors competitive information, industry trends, and other environmental factors to identify impact to current programs.  
• Represents the Managing Director of Direct Marketing as needed.
• Other duties as needed assigned by leadership.  

                   
Qualifications

Experience and Education:  Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 7 years in direct marketing with demonstrated ability to drive revenue and donor retention.  Understanding of direct marketing best practices and industry trends. 

Communication Skills:  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written), including strong presentation skills.  Demonstrated ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization and work successfully with them.  

Technological Proficiency:  High proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite required.  Experience with Blackbaud CRM a plus.  

Analytical Skills:  Strong analytical, planning, time management, and organizational skills required.  An ability to manage multifaceted projects and a capacity to perform well independently in a fast-faced, multi-tasking environment are essential.  

Interpersonal Skills:  Excellent interpersonal, relationship and team-building skills. Ability to provide leadership and guidance to other fundraising professionals and volunteers. Self-starter who can work independently as well as part of a team and is driven to succeed. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE:  Salary commensurate with experience. We work hard to encourage everyone at Ducks Unlimited to bring their authentic selves to work every day. DU offers an exceptional benefit package that includes comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; three weeks paid vacation; paid sick leave and 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.

DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions),  sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression,  age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.