We need the ocean. The ocean needs us.

Role Summary

As the Specialist, Direct Response, you will report to the Director of Philanthropy and will be responsible for managing all aspects of Ocean Wise’s direct response activities, including annual fundraising campaigns, monthly giving, and third-party events. You will also be responsible for managing the mid-level program, which includes donor engagement, solicitation, and stewardship of donors capable of giving between $1,000-$10,000 annually.

Please note that based on qualifications and experience, this role will be offered at either Specialist or Senior Specialist level.

Who You Are

As the Direct Response Specialist, you are a passionate advocate for the Ocean Wise mission, skilled in crafting compelling messages that inspire action. You have a keen understanding of donor behavior and are adept at using data-driven strategies to optimize fundraising campaigns. Your creativity and analytical skills help drive engagement and support for the Ocean Wise cause, ensuring we can continue to protect our oceans.

What You Will Be Doing

Direct Response Fundraising Campaigns

• Managing and growing integrated multi-channel direct response fundraising activities, including the acquisition, stewardship, retention, and upgrading of annual and monthly donors.
• Coordinating activities with internal teams and external agencies and suppliers.
• Researching, developing, and writing engaging campaign content using data and best practices, including for social media.
• Coordinating and writing donor stewardship pieces and other communications, working with the Stewardship Specialist on execution.
• Developing segmentation strategies to maximize results.
• Updating online tools (website, FundraiseUp, CanadaHelps) to create a positive donor experience.
• Continuously tracking and measuring each campaign’s results and adjusting future activities accordingly.
• Staying abreast of trends and changes in the marketplace when it comes to direct response, and available channels and tools.
• Working with outside vendors as required.

Mid-level Giving

• Overseeing the mid-level program (donors giving $1,000 to $10,000 annually), including identifying, engaging, cultivating, and soliciting prospects and donors through a variety of multi-channel activities.
• Developing appropriate stewardship strategies to retain and upgrade mid-level donors, including writing general and tailored reports as needed, and in collaboration with the Stewardship Specialist.
• Maintaining accurate and complete records of all donor interactions in the database.
• Identifying donors with the capacity of giving a major gift, and referring them to the Major Gifts team, based on frequency and value of giving.

Third Party Events

• Managing contributions made through community group fundraising, third-party events, and community-driven cause-related marketing initiatives.
• Responding to inquiries from community groups and companies, providing advice and guidance on developing successful activities. Liaising with the Corporate & Foundation Partnerships Team as necessary.
• Striving to ensure all groups are acknowledged and recognized in an appropriate manner, commensurate with their contribution, and as outlined in our policy.
• Promoting and supporting peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives, emphasizing personal page fundraising.
• Developing and writing materials that will support community groups in their fundraising efforts.
• Maintaining accurate donor reports in the database.
• Adhering to the organizational Third-Party Policy and ensuring accurate and appropriate branding.

What You Bring

• Post-secondary degree or diploma, ideally in a related field (e.g., fundraising, marketing, communications)
• 3-5 years’ experience in direct response fundraising and/or annual fund development
• Experience in developing and executing strategies for personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in building and nurturing strong relationships with donors, volunteers, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Experience in social media best practices as they related to fundraising.
• Proficient in using donor databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge NXT, Salesforce), digital communications tools (e.g., Marketing Cloud), and online giving platforms (e.g., Fundraise Up)
• Proven ability to work and build relationships with multiple stakeholders, both internally and externally
• Knowledge of developing fundraising targets and budgets, forecasting, and analysis

How You Will Be Measured

• Campaign Growth and Fundraising Efficiency - Increase in the number of annual and monthly donors, achieve a donor retention rate conducive with annual targets and maintain or reduce the cost per dollar raised (CPDR) for campaigns.
• Content Development - Creation of campaign content that achieves average engagement rate conducive with annual targets, positive feedback from internal teams and external agencies on campaign materials.
• Donor Engagement and Stewardship - Development and implementation of at least three multi-channel direst response campaigns per year, successful execution of segmented donor stewardship plans resulting in an increase in donor satisfaction scores.
• Mid-Level Donor Program - Increase in number of mid-level donors within first year, achieve an upgrade rate of mid-level donors to major donors as per annual targets, develop tailored stewardship reports and strategies that result in an increase in mid-level donor retention.
• Donor Database Management - Maintain 100% accuracy and completeness of donor interaction records
• Community Fundraising Engagement - Increase in number of community group fundraising events annually, achieve an increase in contributions from third party events.
• Support and Recognition - Develop and distribute supporting materials that result in positive feedback from community groups, ensure 100% acknowledgment and recognition of all third-party contributors according to policy.
• Peer-to-Peer Fundraising - Promote and support at least three new peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives per year.
• Professional Development - Participation in at least two professional development courses related to fundraising and donor engagement annually, continuous improvement in proficiency with donor databases, digital communication tools, and online giving platforms, reflected in increased efficiency and effectiveness.
• Stakeholder Relationships - Positive feedback from donors, volunteers, staff, and other stakeholders, measured through surveys and direct feedback, successful collaboration with internal teams and external partners on fundraising initiatives.
• Fundraising Targets and Budget Management - Consistently meet or exceed fundraising targets and budget forecasts, accurate and timely reporting on fundraising performance and financials.

What We Offer

This full-time, benefits-eligible position offers:

• A remote working environment, with the option to work in person in our beautiful downtown Vancouver head office
• A competitive base salary, $67,000 - 82,000, in line with market data for not-for-profit organizations
• Benefits coverage on a premium cost-shared basis
• Extended health and dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• $300 Health spending account
• Group term and supplemental life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• RRSP matching of up to 6% after one year of service
• 15 paid vacation days to start
• 10 paid sick days
• 2 wellness days
• 12 paid Statutory and General Holidays each calendar year
• An annual all-staff retreat to allow in-person connections and team building
• Professional development opportunities
• The opportunity to be part of a team that’s helping to save the ocean!

Where and How You’ll Work

This is a remote-first position with the possibility to work at our headquarters in downtown Vancouver, if desired. The standard work week for this role is 37.5 hours, Monday through Friday, with rare exceptions for some evening or weekend work.

Who We Are

Ocean Wise is a global conversation organization on a mission to build communities that take meaningful action to protect and restore our ocean. Learn more about us at ocean.org.

Inclusion and Diversity

At Ocean Wise, we believe that a welcoming and diverse workplace fosters the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented. We encourage applications from individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process.