Title: Manager, Direct Response Marketing
Job Family/Level: Marketing / Manager
Reports to: Director, Direct Response Marketing
FLSA status: Exempt
Revised Date: June 2025
The Direct Response Marketing Manager contributes to the development and strategic planning in the areas of direct mail and online marketing fundraising. Responsible for over $4 million in revenue and over $10 million in expenses, this position plans, develops, and manages monthly and annual budgets, maximizing revenue for WWF. The Manager prioritizes and sets strategies and tactics within the portfolio of programs to maximize overall return on investment (ROI), evaluates and reforecasts results of campaigns and reports to management. Oversees cross-channel acquisition campaigns for the Direct Response Mail team in collaboration with the Data Analysis, Digital Fundraising, and Marketing teams. Plays a key role in finding ways to convert direct response donors offline, with a secondary goal of increasing offline to online response. Manages direct mail acquisition strategy and program, including creative development.
Key Responsibilities
Oversees the direct mail acquisition program which includes package creative development, artwork review, proofing, data merges, list exchange, package splits, and expense management of campaigns.
Manages marketing efforts across direct mail and online channels, working closely with the Digital Fundraising team. Optimizes strategy across fundraising channels to encourage direct mail donors to increase their giving and lifetime value.
Ensures the direct mail acquisition programโs strategy and goals support the larger Membership & Marketing strategy, tracks and reports on KPIs. Liaises with external vendors/partners for analysis, production, list ordering and data merges to ensure the programs are kept on track for maildates, budgets, and results.
Manages innovative campaigns throughout the year to acquire new donors both through the mail and online, with one-time giving the primary contribution and recurring (or sustaining) giving as secondary. Develops tactics to encourage supporters to make use of QR codes and URLs on direct mail packages.
Works with Director to identify market opportunities and create or revise appropriate membership marketing tactics to achieve long- and short-term goals. Formulates and manages operating plans and activities for the member acquisition program. Continuously researches ways to improve program results by improving market performance and/or reducing overall program costs.
Prepares the annual budget for the direct response mail acquisition program. Monitors and evaluates fiscal year budget and directs monthly reforecast. Provides regular written reviews and updates on changes to overall program budgets.
Monitors key performance indicators and conducts analysis for acquisition activities, including revenue performance, package results, offline and online performance. Works closely with in-house analysts to create, prepare, evaluate and present strategic and financial analyses. Proactively shares insight and results with team and uses analysis to make decisions to rollout packages and/or develop new packages.
Evaluates potential alternative and peripheral direct response marketing channels/methods and makes recommendations to expand into these areas.
Stays at the forefront of direct mail marketing best practices for creative, testing and production. Continually tests new creative and tactics to improve package performance.
Plays an active role on the larger Marketing and Membership teams โ participating in meetings and initiatives. Stays informed about the latest industry trends, exploring, researching, and offering ideas and innovation to colleagues.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Key Competencies
Strategic Thinking: Demonstrates a thoughtful and deliberate approach to analyzing key factors that influence the long-term success of WWF, the Marketing & Membership teams, and direct response marketing. Aligns actions with broader organizational goals.
Influencing Others: Builds trust, credibility, and collaborative relationships with partners and colleagues at all levels. Persuasively communicates ideas to align interests and achieve shared objectives. Leads by example to foster engagement, motivation, and alignment with the teamโs strategic goals.
Growth Mindset: Views challenges as learning opportunities and actively seeks feedback for continuous development. Shows a strong commitment to both personal and professional growth, modeling adaptability and resilience.
Emotional Intelligence: Understands and manages personal emotions while recognizing and responding effectively to the emotions of others. Leverages this awareness to strengthen interpersonal relationships and enhance team dynamics.
Skills and Abilities
Bachelorโs degree (or equivalent experience) is required, with at least 8 years of direct mail and online fundraising and acquisition experience; direct mail production experience is a bonus.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt interpersonal and communication style to interact effectively with a wide variety of people.
Strong project management, analytical, and organizational skills, with the ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Keen attention to detail and ability to manage tight schedules and meet deadlines.
Proven track record to successfully pick up new skills on the job, including a never-ending desire to learn new technologies and test new features.
Knowledge of generational preferences in direct mail and demonstrated acquisition of younger donors.
Curiosity and ability to solve problems through research, consultation, and testing.
Experience in Excel, Blackbaud CRM, and an eCRM like Engaging Networks a plus.
Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
Identifies and aligns with WWFโs core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.
Responsibilities
Oversees the direct mail acquisition program which includes package creative development, artwork review, proofing, data merges, list exchange, package splits, and expense management of campaigns.
Manages marketing efforts across direct mail and online channels, working closely with the Digital Fundraising team. Optimizes strategy across fundraising channels to encourage direct mail donors to increase their giving and lifetime value.
Ensures the direct mail acquisition programโs strategy and goals support the larger Membership & Marketing strategy, tracks and reports on KPIs. Liaises with external vendors/partners for analysis, production, list ordering and data merges to ensure the programs are kept on track for maildates, budgets, and results.
Manages innovative campaigns throughout the year to acquire new donors both through the mail and online, with one-time giving the primary contribution and recurring (or sustaining) giving as secondary. Develops tactics to encourage supporters to make use of QR codes and URLs on direct mail packages.
Works with Director to identify market opportunities and create or revise appropriate membership marketing tactics to achieve long- and short-term goals. Formulates and manages operating plans and activities for the member acquisition program. Continuously researches ways to improve program results by improving market performance and/or reducing overall program costs.
Prepares the annual budget for the direct response mail acquisition program. Monitors and evaluates fiscal year budget and directs monthly reforecast. Provides regular written reviews and updates on changes to overall program budgets.
Monitors key performance indicators and conducts analysis for acquisition activities, including revenue performance, package results, offline and online performance. Works closely with in-house analysts to create, prepare, evaluate and present strategic and financial analyses. Proactively shares insight and results with team and uses analysis to make decisions to rollout packages and/or develop new packages.
Evaluates potential alternative and peripheral direct response marketing channels/methods and makes recommendations to expand into these areas.
Stays at the forefront of direct mail marketing best practices for creative, testing and production. Continually tests new creative and tactics to improve package performance.
Plays an active role on the larger Marketing and Membership teams โ participating in meetings and initiatives. Stays informed about the latest industry trends, exploring, researching, and offering ideas and innovation to colleagues.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Key Competencies
Strategic Thinking: Demonstrates a thoughtful and deliberate approach to analyzing key factors that influence the long-term success of WWF, the Marketing & Membership teams, and direct response marketing. Aligns actions with broader organizational goals.
Influencing Others: Builds trust, credibility, and collaborative relationships with partners and colleagues at all levels. Persuasively communicates ideas to align interests and achieve shared objectives. Leads by example to foster engagement, motivation, and alignment with the teamโs strategic goals.
Growth Mindset: Views challenges as learning opportunities and actively seeks feedback for continuous development. Shows a strong commitment to both personal and professional growth, modeling adaptability and resilience.
Emotional Intelligence: Understands and manages personal emotions while recognizing and responding effectively to the emotions of others. Leverages this awareness to strengthen interpersonal relationships and enhance team dynamics.
- Adaptability-the abilty to pivot to changing prioroities while making sound decisions with an analytical mindset.
Qualifications
Bachelorโs degree (or equivalent experience) is required, with at least 8 years of direct mail and online fundraising and acquisition experience; direct mail production experience is a bonus.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt interpersonal and communication style to interact effectively with a wide variety of people.
Strong project management, analytical, and organizational skills, with the ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Keen attention to detail and ability to manage tight schedules and meet deadlines.
Proven track record to successfully pick up new skills on the job, including a never-ending desire to learn new technologies and test new features.
Knowledge of generational preferences in direct mail and demonstrated acquisition of younger donors.
Curiosity and ability to solve problems through research, consultation, and testing.
Experience in Excel, Blackbaud CRM, and an eCRM like Engaging Networks a plus.
Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.Identifies and aligns with WWFโs core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
To Apply:
- Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #26012
- Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.