Direct Response Manager

Direct Response Manager

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child's rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.

Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.

KIND seeks a Direct Response Manager to develop and project manage the KIND fundraising and engagement program. This position will plan and implement a comprehensive fundraising and engagement program to aggressively grow annual support from donors with a giving level below $1,000, including sustainer giving.

In collaboration with a marketing agency, as well as both internal and external partners, the individual will develop the direct marketing and creative strategies as well as lead the implementation of campaigns to drive fundraising and advocacy consistent with KIND's brand. This position reports to the Senior Director, Individual Giving.

This is a remote position based from any location in the U.S.

This position is contingent upon continued funding.

Essential Functions

Leads in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising and engagement program to aggressively grow annual support from donors with a giving level below $1,000, including sustainer giving.

Manages and collaborates with a marketing agency and other external vendors to execute donor cultivation, renewal, and solicitation campaigns, monthly giving, donor acquisition and stewardship, and digital advocacy efforts through channels like digital advertising, email, direct mail, SMS, and any other new channels as needed as part of this program. This includes ensuring the work is aligned with organizational objectives and agreed-upon deliverables.

Serves as the final reviewer on all final drafts of emails, donation pages, and other digital collateral before launch, providing quality assurance checks to ensure content is error free and consistent with KIND's expectations.

Coordinates with leadership and major gifts officers to identify and hand off qualified donors and act as a strategic partner with the individual giving team to develop email marketing plans that support team objectives.

Oversees regular audits of digital fundraising collateral to ensure evergreen content is continually monitored and refreshed to ensure the best digital user experience, as well as consistency, accuracy, and relevance of messaging.

Manages the full content review process across multiple departments, ensuring all necessary parties provide feedback and approval on deadline for direct marketing content ahead of launch, including tracking review in Asana.

Provides programmatic information and materials to a marketing agency and oversee final products that are produced for digital communications related to fundraising campaigning.

Manages relationships with internal stakeholders and partners to support direct response program, including collaborating with the Communications team to drive acquisition and paid media strategy, website content, and organic social media strategy.

Develops a framework for tracking, evaluating, and optimizing campaign performance and engagement metrics and analyze and incorporate data into recommendations and plans.

Analyzes data analytics to support decision-making in real-time and for longer-term sustainable growth along the donor pathway, including list growth and engagement as well as fundraising metrics.

Focus on current best practices and new emerging fundraising and advocacy technologies, including online giving functionality, grassroots advocacy, email solicitations, social media, and crowdfunding.

Provides input on income and expense budgets; review and approve vendor invoices.

Other duties, tasks, and projects as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

Undergraduate degree or 5 years of relevant experience required.

Must be fluent in English.

Minimum of 5 years of experience in direct response fundraising at a non-profit or marketing agency.

A clear passion for KIND's mission at a time when our work to protect the legal rights and well-being of unaccompanied children has never been more necessary.

Demonstrated experience with rapid response, email marketing, list building, writing and editing, and building a multi-channel donor experience.

Data-driven decision-maker who uses analytics and data to guide strategic decisions that align with digital goals, objectives, and initiatives.

Prior experience with CRMs, donation processing platforms, advocacy, and email marketing platforms. KIND's ecosystem includes Salesforce, Engaging Networks, and WordPress.

Exceptional interpersonal, communication (verbal and written), and diplomatic skills, with the ability to engage effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a strong ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and track information systematically; consistently meets deadlines and follows through on inquiries, with a hands-on, proactive work ethic.

Proven track record of driving results by setting and achieving ambitious goals; combines strategic, analytical, and critical thinking skills with a strong data-driven approach to decision-making and performance.

Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to remain flexible and responsive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments such as rapid response fundraising.

Skilled at managing numerous active relationships simultaneously through organized, transparent, and consistent communication; recognized for reliable follow-up and maintaining accountability across teams and stakeholders.

Ability to perform administrative duties remotely.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).

Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.

Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate.

Ability to multitask and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.

Experience working and communicating in a remote environment preferred but not required.