Arena Careers

The Director, Direct Response and Digital leads the League’s multi-channel direct marketing program to grow, steward, and retain a broad base of national supporters for LWVUS and LWVEF. This role oversees strategy, execution, and performance management for direct mail, digital fundraising, donor acquisition, sustainer programs, telemarketing, list rental/exchange, and donor acknowledgment operations.

The Director ensures that all campaigns reflect the League’s brand, values, and commitment to inclusion and belonging; leverages data analytics to drive decision-making; and manages relationships with internal partners and external agencies. This position supervises the Development Associate and Donor Relations Associate and reports to the National Development Director.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Program Management

• Develop, implement, and manage the annual direct response fundraising strategy and budget for LWVUS and LWVEF, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and long-term revenue goals.
• Use data analytics, industry benchmarking, and best practices in nonprofit direct marketing to inform segmentation, creative development, donor journeys, and channel strategy.
• Oversee annual revenue and expense projections, conduct ongoing performance monitoring, and prepare regular reporting for the National Development Director, Finance Committee, and Board stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying new opportunities, technologies, and innovations to expand donor reach and maximize ROI across channels.

Campaign Execution & Vendor Management

• Manage all phases of direct mail, digital campaigns, telemarketing, sustainer acquisition/retention, and list rental/exchange activity.
• Serve as primary liaison to external fundraising agencies, caging and lockbox vendors, database partners, and related service providers.
• Ensure copy, design, and audience segmentation reflect the League’s messaging platform, values, and inclusive storytelling guidelines.
• Oversee the production schedule to ensure timely delivery, quality control, and compliance with fundraising ethics, data privacy standards, and LWVUS policies.

Data Integrity & Operations

• Maintain a high level of data accuracy and synchronization across the League’s donor database, email/digital platforms, and caging/processing systems.
• Collaborate with Data and Finance teams to reconcile revenue, review invoices, and ensure accurate coding, batching, and reporting.
• Manage direct marketing source codes, donor file exchanges, and list rental processes to support file growth and integrity.
• Implement and update business rules, operational procedures, and documentation as systems evolve.

Cross Organizational Collaboration-Organizational Collaboration

• Partner closely with Communications to ensure brand alignment and integrated messaging across direct response channels.
• Collaborate with Major Gifts and Mid-Level Giving to support a thoughtful donor pipeline and moves management strategy, ensuring smooth handoffs and stewardship continuity.-Level Giving to support a thoughtful donor pipeline and moves management strategy, ensuring smooth handoffs and stewardship continuity.
• Foster effective relationships with internal teams and help build a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Team Leadership & Supervision

• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management to the Development Associate and Donor Relations Associate.
• Model LWVUS values of inclusion, equity, belonging, and collaboration in all internal and external interactions.
• Support staff professional development and continuous learning related to fundraising, donor stewardship, and data systems.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience managing high-volume, multichannel direct marketing programs in a nonprofit environment.
• Demonstrated success driving revenue growth, managing budgets, and optimizing ROI across direct response and digital channels.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Deep understanding of direct marketing fundraising, including planning, creative development, segmentation, production, analytics, list strategy, and vendor management.
• Skilled in interpreting campaign data, donor trends, and performance metrics to inform strategy and decision making.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and familiarity with fundraising databases and digital platforms such as Salesforce and Engaging Networks; understanding of system integrations and how databases support fundraising and donor pipelines.
• Knowledge of donor lifecycle and moves management, including how donors move from direct response to mid-level, major gift, and planned giving pathways. -level, major gift, and planned giving pathways.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with accuracy, attention to detail, and adherence to deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build effective relationships with internal teams, external partners, and vendors.
• Experience developing and managing program budgets.
• Commitment to the League’s mission and values, including advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in fundraising practices and donor engagement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The person in this position may need to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets and office machinery. Constantly operates a laptop/computer and other office productivity machinery.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is generally indoors and rarely exposed to wet or humid conditions or to outdoor weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to low.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.