Director, Direct Response & Mid-Level Giving
Full-Time • Exempt-Salaried • Remote
Job Summary:
The Director, Direct Response & Midlevel Giving is a strategic, data-driven revenue leader responsible for designing and executing multi-channel donor acquisition, retention, and mid-level donor growth campaigns. Guided by our core values of Ambition, Courage, Empathy, Inclusion, and Integrity, this position builds and scales broad-based donor programs ($1 to $9,999+) across direct mail, digital marketing, email, and telefundraising.
This role focuses on data segmentation, campaign ROI, and nurturing mid-level donors to build a sustainable pipeline for major gifts. All messaging must use plain-spoken, people-first language (e.g., "improving and saving lives") in alignment with organizational brand standards. The Director will manage staff, provide strategic guidance, set operational targets, and oversee day-to-day execution.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Campaign Management & Acquisition
- Multi-Channel Strategy: Plan and execute multi-channel direct response campaigns (direct mail, digital ads, email marketing, and sustained/monthly giving) to grow donor acquisition and retention rates.
- Agency & Vendor Management: Supervise external direct marketing agencies, mail houses, print vendors, and copywriters to ensure timely execution, budget compliance, and alignment with brand guidelines.
- A/B Testing & Innovation: Conduct continuous testing of messaging, offer strategies, design formats, and donation form experiences to maximize gift size and conversion.
2. Mid-Level Donor Program & Pipeline Acceleration
- Mid-Level Portfolio Growth: Oversee strategies for donors giving in the $500-$9,999 range, utilizing light-touch personal outreach, personalized mailings, and digital touchpoints.
- Major Gift Pipeline Feeder: Identify high-capacity mid-level givers and partner with Development Officers to transition them into major gift portfolios.
- Lapsed Donor Recovery: Create targeted win-back strategies to re-engage past donors and increase lifetime donor value.
3. Data Analytics & System Stewardship
- Data Segmentation: Partner with Development Operations (e.g., Raiser's Edge) to segment donor lists, analyze gift patterns, and deploy predictive modeling.
- Privacy & PHI Compliance: Ensure all donor data collection and campaign targeting adhere to strict privacy standards. Maintain patient privacy by collecting the minimum necessary Protected Health Information (PHI) and securing donor records.
- Performance Reporting: Monitor, analyze, and present quarterly metrics on response rates, average gift size, return on investment (ROI), acquisition costs, and donor retention.
4. Organizational Alignment & Brand Representation
- Brand Integrity: Ensure direct response copy avoids restricted phrasing (e.g., "fight cancer," "working toward a cure") and uses approved, empowering language centered on providing resources and improving lives.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with Marketing & Communications to ensure consistent campaign timing and brand alignment across all public channels.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
- Minimum of 6-8 years of progressive experience specializing in direct response, preferably within a national non-profit.
- Minimum of 6-8 years of progressive experience in healthcare or disease-specific non-profit organizations managing mid-level giving.
- Proficiency with non-profit CRM platforms (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce), email marketing platforms, and web analytics tools.
- Proven track record of process improvement and operational excellence
- Strong understanding of fundraising principles, donor lifecycle management and nonprofit organizations
- Exceptional analytical problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with capacity to manage multiple priorities
- Experience in healthcare or disease-specific non-profit organizations
- Familiarity with prospect research and wealth screening tools, CFRE a plus
Physical Requirements
- Constant use of a computer and other office productivity equipment
- Prolonged periods of a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
- Ability to recognize details at close range for extended periods.
- The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000
One of many reasons to join the ZERO team is because we offer great benefits!
- Flexible (Unlimited) PTO, upon completion of probationary period
- 403(b) retirement plan matching
- Employer-paid benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, & Long-Term Disability insurance
- FSA/HRA
This role will report directly to the Chief Development Officer to support ZERO's mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, education, awareness, and support. This position is based remotely and candidates may live in any area within the United States. This position will require nationwide travel approximately 10% of the time.
If you're passionate about our mission and believe you can make an impact, we encourage you to apply-even if you don't meet every qualification. We value diverse perspectives and would love to hear from you!
