At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead donor engagement strategies and create impactful communications to inspire philanthropic support.
- Company: Join IFAW, a global leader in animal welfare and conservation.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to social justice and equity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by connecting high-net-worth donors with meaningful causes.
- Qualifications: 4-5 years in nonprofit fundraising or donor communications; strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 55000 £ per year.
This position can be fully remote in the US, hybrid in Yarmouth, MA, Washington, DC or London, England. The Donor Engagement Manager is responsible for communicating IFAW’s vision, strategy, and impact to inspire significant philanthropic commitments for IFAW's work from high-net-worth individuals and family foundations. By spearheading best-in-class donor communications, engagement, and stewardship, this role serves an essential function: developing and building IFAW’s reputation to position IFAW as a top charity worthy of significant donations. The Donor Engagement Manager plays a key role in improving the HNW donor journey and achieving our fundraising goals for enhanced programmatic impact globally in conservation, rescue, and policy.
Role And Responsibilities
- Create dynamic donor engagement plan.
- Spearhead donor engagement plans, including cultivation, stewardship experiences, and recognition.
- Drive a robust calendar of communications and activities to optimize donor engagement, mission impact, and a best-in-class donor experience with IFAW.
- Advise and support frontline fundraisers with strategy and content for donor communications and proposals; collaborate with gift officers on HNW individual donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts, including development of custom proposals and cases for support.
- Collaborate with communications and program teams to create compelling donor impact reports, donor newsletters, webinars, bespoke proposals, and other tools that drive and support effective engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major- and principal-level gifts as well as larger legacy commitments; maintain curated library of assets for gift officers to use or customize.
- Gather and share impact stories, data, and testimonials to demonstrate the value of donor contributions.
- Plan and oversee execution of exclusive engagement opportunities (in-person and virtual) for target audience, designed to highlight IFAW programmatic expertise and build stronger donor relationships.
- Develop and implement personalized stewardship plans for select principal and major donors, working closely with frontline fundraisers and relationship managers.
- Ensure all donor touchpoints reflect the organization’s mission and values, and that donors feel valued and connected.
- Manage projects and personnel.
- Lead, coach, and manage a team of freelancers responsible for communications, stewardship, and engagement activities; oversee contracts, monitor deliverables and expenditures.
- Maintain strong relationships with program leaders across the global organization, keeping apprised of IFAW’s programmatic work to identify topics that will appeal to high-net-worth donors and prospects.
- Analyze donor engagement metrics, track trends, and report on the effectiveness of engagement and stewardship strategies.
Collaboration and fundamentals
- Ensure routine fundraising communications and templates for major gifts are up-to-date, accurate, and on brand (e.g., fundraising appeals, donor education emails, gift acknowledgments, holiday cards, swag).
- Manage creation and updates of bespoke proposals so that they are timely and well-designed.
- Improve integration of mail/email outreach.
- Collaborate with communications and marketing teams to optimize use and creative repurposing of resources and collateral materials.
- Enhance web presence (philanthropy pages) to incorporate donor testimonials and demonstrate impact of philanthropic support.
- Update and improve naming opportunities for major and principal gifts, named and endowed funds, larger legacies and blended gifts from HNW individuals.
Strategic guidance and innovation
- Collaborate with DVP Development to recommend and implement effective points of contact with donors for the purposes of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of six-figure+ gifts.
- Identify opportunities to present our work more effectively and enhance the donor experience.
- Launch or relaunch giving societies – e.g., cumulative lifetime giving, high-end annual giving, legacy society – with an emphasis on philanthropy and engagement rather than perks and benefits.
- Advise on ways to streamline and improve donor communications and engagement, e.g., by leveraging technology, balancing push/pull outreach, adjusting the mix of print/digital and other media.
- Guide the larger Development team in positioning our programs to inspire greater philanthropic support.
Qualifications And Education Requirements
- Minimum 4-5 years of related experience in nonprofit stewardship, donor communications, fundraising, or related transferable experience.
- Experience leading a team in a development setting, including direct supervision of colleagues in donor engagement and stewardship; and/or management of a stable of contractors and freelancers.
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment and lead numerous functions and various projects simultaneously.
- Exceptional written communication, relationship-building, project management and collaboration skills.
- Intellectual curiosity.
- Must be professional, highly organized, creative, efficient, and collaborative.
- Cultural competence: ability to work seamlessly with colleagues across four continents.
- Able to work successfully both individually and as part of a team.
- Must be flexible and willing to take on new responsibilities within a growing program.
- Ability to travel regionally/internationally for trainings and team meetings.
- A degree from a four-year college or university preferred.
- Knowledge of Microsoft products, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook required; familiarity with Adobe, Canva or other graphic design/visual communications programs a plus.
- Must be fully fluent English speaking/writing.
At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people. We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Hiring range in US is $68,000-$84,000 USD. Hiring range in UK is 46,000-55,000 GBP.
Donor Engagement Manager employer: IFAW
At IFAW, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. With flexible remote and hybrid work options available in vibrant locations like Yarmouth, MA, Washington, DC, and London, our Donor Engagement Manager role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. We are committed to fostering a diverse workforce and providing our team with the resources and opportunities needed to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Donor Engagement Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections and let them know you're on the hunt for a Donor Engagement Manager role. You never know who might have a lead or can introduce you to someone in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Get social! Follow IFAW and similar organisations on LinkedIn and engage with their posts. This not only keeps you updated but also shows your genuine interest in their mission, which can be a great conversation starter.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching common questions for donor engagement roles. Practice your responses, focusing on your experience in stewardship and communication strategies that align with IFAW's goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and contributing to IFAW’s impactful work.
We think you need these skills to ace Donor Engagement Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for donor engagement and philanthropy shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference and how that aligns with IFAW's mission.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in nonprofit stewardship and donor communications. We love seeing how your past roles have prepared you for this position, so don’t hold back on the details!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured writing that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications and ideas. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at IFAW
✨Know Your Donor Engagement Strategies
Before the interview, brush up on various donor engagement strategies. Be ready to discuss how you would create dynamic engagement plans and improve the donor journey. This shows that you understand the role and can contribute from day one.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role heavily relies on communication, prepare examples of your past experiences where you successfully crafted compelling donor communications or proposals. Highlight your ability to tailor messages for high-net-worth individuals and family foundations.
✨Demonstrate Project Management Prowess
Be prepared to talk about your project management skills. Discuss how you've led teams or managed multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. This will reassure them that you can handle the responsibilities of the Donor Engagement Manager role.
✨Emphasise Cultural Competence
Given the global nature of IFAW's work, highlight your experience working with diverse teams or international stakeholders. Share specific examples that demonstrate your cultural competence and ability to connect with people from different backgrounds.
