At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead donor engagement strategies and inspire philanthropic support for global conservation efforts.
- Company: Join IFAW, a leading charity dedicated to animal welfare and environmental conservation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with a commitment to social justice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by connecting high-net-worth donors with impactful projects.
- Qualifications: 4-5 years in nonprofit fundraising or donor communications; strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 55000 € per year.
Staff work a hybrid schedule with 2 days/week in the office. This position can be based in London, UK, Yarmouth, MA, Washington, DC, or remote US East Coast.
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.
Responsibilities
- The Donor Engagement Manager is an integral component of IFAW’s global Development team. Reporting to the Deputy Vice President, Development, the Donor Engagement Manager leads a robust donor communications, engagement, and stewardship program for high-net-worth (HNW) individuals, spearheading the development of strategy and plans, and supervising a team of contractors and freelancers for project implementation.
- The successful candidate will contribute to the attainment of ambitious growth goals (including current use, endowments, and significant gifts in will), by inspiring donors’ philanthropic support and leading the creation and implementation of a suite of donor communications and experiences.
- 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 manager.
- 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
- 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 in 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 UK is 46,000-55,000 GBP. Hiring range in US is $68,000-$84,000 USD.
Donor Engagement Manager in London employer: International Fund for Animal Welfare
At IFAW, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where every team member is empowered to make a meaningful impact in conservation and animal welfare. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a commitment to professional development, we offer our employees the opportunity to grow within a global organisation while engaging with high-net-worth individuals to inspire significant philanthropic support. Join us in London or remotely on the US East Coast, and be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a difference.
Contact Detail:
International Fund for Animal Welfare Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Donor Engagement Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the nonprofit sector, especially those involved in donor engagement. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up and shine! Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups related to fundraising and donor engagement. It’s a great way to meet potential employers and showcase your passion for the cause.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When you get the chance to speak with hiring managers or recruiters, make sure to highlight your experience in donor communications and how you can enhance their engagement strategies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in IFAW’s mission. Plus, it gives you a better chance of being noticed by our hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Donor Engagement Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for IFAW's mission shine through. We want to see how much you care about conservation and philanthropy, so share your personal connection to these causes!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in donor engagement and communications. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and how they align with the role of Donor Engagement Manager.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at International Fund for Animal Welfare
✨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 what best practices you've seen in action. This shows your understanding of the role and your proactive approach.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role heavily relies on communication, prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated with high-net-worth individuals or family foundations in the past. Highlight any impactful donor communications or stewardship experiences you've led.
✨Demonstrate Your Project Management Prowess
Be prepared to talk about your experience managing projects and teams. Share specific examples of how you've overseen donor engagement activities or collaborated with different teams to achieve fundraising goals. This will illustrate your ability to juggle multiple responsibilities effectively.
✨Align with IFAW’s Mission and Values
Research IFAW’s mission and recent initiatives thoroughly. During the interview, express how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also your commitment to their cause.
