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- Tasks: Lead a team to create engaging donor campaigns and manage supporter communications.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a top animal welfare charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, generous holiday, wellness support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact by inspiring supporters and enhancing their experience with our charity.
- Qualifications: Experience in direct marketing or fundraising, strong project management skills, and a strategic mindset required.
- Other info: Fixed term role with a salary of GBP 40,000 - GBP 45,000 per year.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 42000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Application Deadline: 6 July 2025
Department: Fundraising, Comms & Engagement
Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time
Location: Burford
Reporting To: Head of Individual Giving
Compensation: GBP 40,000 - GBP 45,000 / year
Description
Contract: Fixed term (12 months), full time, 35 hours over 5 days
Location: Burford, (Hybrid - 2 days in the office, 3 days remote)
Salary: GBP 40,000 - GBP 45,000 per annum
Closing Date: Sunday 6 July 2025
Interview Date: w/c 14 July 2025
Are you a passionate and strategic direct marketer? Join Blue Cross, a leading animal welfare charity, and play a vital role in deepening relationships with our supporters to maximise long-term value and impact. Our Individual Giving team raises around GBP 27 million annually, engaging thousands of individuals through cash donations, regular giving, and legacies. As our Direct Marketing Manager (Donor Development), you'll lead our efforts to inspire, engage and retain these valued supporters.
More about the role
Reporting to the Head of Individual Giving, you'll lead a small, dedicated team to deliver compelling campaigns and stewardship communications across multiple channels - including direct mail, email and phone. You'll be responsible for managing a wide range of donor development activities. These include planning and delivering cash and raffle appeals, and driving cross-sell initiatives such as converting one-off cash donors into regular givers. Your team will also be key to delivering projects such as Gift Aid stewardship, regular giving upgrades, and reactivation efforts. A central part of the role will be managing the production and distribution of our supporter communications. You'll collaborate closely with colleagues across the organisation and external agencies to ensure we provide a consistently excellent experience for our supporters, while maximising income and long-term engagement. You'll bring strategic thinking, creativity and a strong results focus to shape and grow our donor retention and development efforts, ultimately helping us raise more funds to support the pets and people who rely on our services.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with the Head of Individual Giving to develop and deliver a strategic business plan and budget for Donor Development, including milestones, KPIs and income targets.
- Lead a wide portfolio of multichannel campaigns with a focus on cash and raffle appeals, and wider supporter communications (including RG upgrades/conversions and Gift Aid).
- Manage stewardship activities, including 'thank you' and update communications.
- Collaborate with your Direct Marketing Manager colleagues in the Individual Giving team to improve supporter engagement and retention, including enhancing regular giving products and materials.
- Ensure all activity aligns with Blue Cross brand guidelines and values.
- Build strong internal and external relationships to deliver effective, insight-driven campaigns.
- Champion continuous improvement by applying best practice to campaign planning, delivery and analysis.
- Line-manage the Donor Development Officer and Assistant, supporting their performance, goals and development.
- Monitor and control income and expenditure, providing regular budget forecasts.
- Work cross-functionally with teams such as Data and Insights, Fulfilment Services and Customer Care to maximise supporter lifetime value.
About you
You're an experienced and results-driven direct or digital marketer and/or fundraiser, with a strong understanding of supporter motivations and a passion for delivering excellent supporter experiences. You bring a strategic mindset, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to manage multiple campaigns in a fast-paced environment. You're confident working to financial targets, optimising budgets, and using insight to drive innovation and continual improvement. A skilled project manager, you're comfortable juggling priorities and deadlines, while ensuring quality and performance stay high. Your strong communication and interpersonal skills make you a collaborative team player and effective line manager. You build positive relationships across teams and with external partners to deliver ambitious goals.
Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Proven experience in Direct or Digital Marketing and/or Fundraising (client or agency side)
- Strong track record in managing agencies and budgets
- Demonstrable success in delivering income growth and supporter engagement
- Excellent project and people management skills
- Good working knowledge of GDPR and fundraising legislation
- Skilled in using CRM databases, with proficiency in Word and Excel
Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Diploma in Direct or Digital Marketing/Fundraising
- Copywriting and content evaluation experience
- Knowledge of lottery, raffle or gaming products
- Experience working with communications or brand teams
- Familiarity with print and production processes
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 6 July 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today. In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are. Our generous benefits package includes:
- Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Free physiotherapy advice and face to face intervention
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.
Direct Marketing Manager - Donor Development employer: Blue Cross
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Direct Marketing Manager - Donor Development
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Blue Cross's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to animal welfare will help you align your passion for direct marketing with their goals, making you a more compelling candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Blue Cross. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples of successful campaigns you've managed in the past. Highlighting your experience with multichannel marketing and donor engagement will demonstrate your capability to excel in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in direct marketing and fundraising. Being knowledgeable about current best practices will show your commitment to continuous improvement and innovation, which is crucial for this position.
We think you need these skills to ace Direct Marketing Manager - Donor Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in direct marketing and fundraising. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in managing campaigns and engaging supporters.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for animal welfare and your strategic approach to donor development. Mention how your skills align with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your project management skills, understanding of GDPR, and experience with CRM databases. These are crucial for the role and should be clearly stated in your application.
Showcase Your Results: Include quantifiable achievements in your application. For example, mention any income growth you have driven or successful campaigns you have led, as this will demonstrate your effectiveness in similar roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross
✨Know Your Campaigns
Familiarise yourself with the direct marketing campaigns that Blue Cross has run in the past. Be prepared to discuss what worked well and how you would approach similar campaigns, especially focusing on cash and raffle appeals.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Showcase your ability to develop strategic business plans. Prepare examples of how you've set KPIs and income targets in previous roles, and be ready to discuss how you would apply this experience to donor development.
✨Highlight Your People Skills
As a line manager, your interpersonal skills are crucial. Be ready to share experiences where you've successfully managed a team, supported their development, and fostered collaboration across departments.
✨Understand GDPR and Fundraising Legislation
Brush up on your knowledge of GDPR and relevant fundraising laws. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your marketing strategies, as this is essential for maintaining trust with supporters.
