Director of Digital Fundraising

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Director of Digital Fundraising

CLASSIFICATION: Professional 6

SALARY: $93,000 - $102,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Integrated Marketing

LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, DC

REPORTS TO: Vice President for Integrated Marketing

NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 3

LAST REVISED: August 2023

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Digital Fundraising is responsible for acquiring, and engaging with, Members through digital channels including paid advertising, email, connected TV (CTV), social media and mobile. This position is located in Washington, DC and is not eligible for remote work. The successful candidate will develop short and long-term marketing plans to meet Member acquisition and retention goals and will design and implement digital campaigns, including establishing benchmarks for investment and growth. This position is expected to coordinate closely with the Director of Direct Response and Director of Marketing Operations, as well as the Director of Communications and Director of Multi-Media to ensure cross-departmental and internal campaign coordination, exceptional donor stewardship and fundraising best practices. This position oversees approximately three direct reports.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Establish online constituent performance goals and priorities including the development of an annual budget to reflect both revenue and expenses; coordinate with other stakeholders within Integrated Marketing to maximize ROI (Return on Investment), donor conversion and retention.

Manage and serve as the point of contact for Defenders’ digital vendors to support multi-channel digital campaigns (paid social, display, search), content creation, design development and other digital acquisition strategies.

Partner with the Director of Direct Response on omnichannel messaging, testing and design strategies intended to support the donor journey to improve donor value and retention.

Utilize analytics including Google Analytics, web key performance indicators (KPI’s) and other benchmarks to measure success of strategies, identify areas for investment and redirect unperforming programs.

Manage the strategy and execution of Defenders’ digital, email, mobile and social media campaigns including:

Meeting fundraising goals including net revenue, donor value, Member acquisition and sustaining donors.

Increasing traffic to our website through search engine optimization (SEO), connected TV campaigns, lead generation investments, and other digital marketing strategies.

Identifying key audiences and stewarding them appropriately across channels to achieve both fundraising and programmatic outreach goals.

Accountability for the quality and accuracy of all outbound content.

Partnering with the Director of Marketing Operations to ensure seamless functionality of our eCRM (Engaging Networks) and mobile (Mobile Commons) platforms.

Oversee Defenders’ website properties to support fundraising goals, including:

Developing and measuring benchmarks for website performance and donor conversion; work with Director of Marketing Operations to quickly address any functionality channels; work with Communications to develop content to improve the donor funnel.

Executes strategy for Defenders’ social media channels, including but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and TikTok.

Direct Defenders’ social media strategies in support of Conservation Program (including Coalitions and Advocacy) and Fundraising goals.

Assess end to end engagement metrics and make strategic recommendations to achieve results (including identifying new content or channels needed).

Identify opportunities to promote videos, blogs, web-stories, events, webpages, and other storytelling vehicles to both educate our followers and showcase the depth and breadth of our work.

Use available tools to optimize our content, providing strategies and tactics to improve our engagement, brand awareness and fundraising performance.

Manage Defenders’ president and CEO social media.

As appropriate, manage social media influencer/celebrity engagement to broaden Defenders’ reach and brand awareness.

Supervise and mentor the Digital Fundraising and Social Media Associates to support Defenders’ digital fundraising strategies.

Set and maintain clear expectations for direct reports, ensuring clarity of roles, accountabilities, and responsibilities; ensure that staff have the skills and support required to perform at the highest level and execute performance management direction when necessary.

Guide their efforts to strategically promote content across digital channels.

Provide guidance and resources to ensure social media community engagement, leveraging support from internal and external sources to ensure timely constituent feedback.

Where appropriate support recommendations for shifting strategies based on evolving social media trends.

Foster an organizational culture which models the tenets of Defenders’ Commitment Statement; support management cohort, providing insights and feedback on issues impacting the organization.

Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice strategies into digital efforts in line with Strategic Goal #2.

Perform all other work-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent

Experience: 10 years of relevant experience; 5 years supervisory experience

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Professional 6

Administrative

Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records

Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service

Communication

Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders

Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely

Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies

Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defenders’ interests in external environments

Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders

Critical Thinking

Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion

Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner

Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods

Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defenders’ work

Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments

Strategic thinker with the ability to create high-level strategy, identify organizational-level impact, and translate strategy into relatable points and action steps.

Project Management

Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments

Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests

Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues

Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment

Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues

Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion

Coalition and Community Engagement (if applicable)

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defenders’ members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and /or the general public.

Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate policy issues impacting wildlife and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions.

Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.

Leadership and Management

Ability to foster a team culture which models the tenets of the Commitment Statement

Ability to connect employees and their work to Defenders’ mission

Ability to set and maintain clear expectations, ensuring clarity of roles, accountabilities, and responsibilities

Ability to ensure that staff have the skills and support required to perform at the highest level

Working knowledge of Defenders’ business and people systems and processes

Ability to create and maintain a diverse, inclusive, and high-functioning environment

Ability to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in team/department-level decisions

Ability to manage employee conflict and resolve escalations in an inclusive and healthy manner

Ability to effectively lead and manage change

Ability to develop staff to their highest capabilities, through delegation, coaching, empowerment, and professional growth opportunities

Ability to provide effective feedback in real-time

Ability to create and implement team/department strategies in support of Defenders’ Strategic Plan

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Director of Digital Fundraising

Expertise in creating and implementing digital acquisition and conversion strategies, including deep knowledge of Google Analytics (GA4 preferred)

Basic Web design knowledge (HTML and Photoshop)

Experience with e-CRM software platforms (Engaging Networks experience preferred)

Experience with CMS (Content Management System) software platforms

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Activities

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

N

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

N

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

C

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

N

Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.

N

Communicating with others to exchange information.

C

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

C

Operating machinery and/or power tools.

N

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

N

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

C

Environmental Conditions

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Low temperatures.

High temperatures.

Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Noisy environments.

Hazardous conditions.

Poor ventilation.

Small and/or enclosed spaces.

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

C

Physical Demands

Check only one

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

X

Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.

Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.

Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Visit to apply.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders of Wildlife requires employees who engage in in-person work activities, including business travel or onsite work, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. An applicant (i) who is disabled or pregnant or who has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination or (ii) who objects to being vaccinated on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief, observance or practice may request an exemption from this vaccination policy. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable law. Any medical information concerning an applicant's disability will be treated as a confidential medical record in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions.

Please be advised this position is NON union-eligible.