<p>Job Description</p> <p>About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)</p> <p>WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world's premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.</p> <p>Job Summary:</p> <p>You are a seasoned, strategic, and ambitious direct response fundraising professional who loves our mission and is eager to lead and grow our Annual Fund, comprised of donors who contribute up to $25,000 annually.</p> <p>Building on our current base of 20,000 donors and $6 million in annual revenue, you have an exciting opportunity to significantly expand one of WCS's most important revenue streams by creating and executing a robust multi-channel strategy to acquire, retain, and upgrade donors-inspiring gifts from a larger group of long-term, mission-aligned supporters. As a leader in WCS's Global Resources team, you will oversee a small internal team and external agency partners across creative, digital, data, and direct response functions.</p> <p>If you are an innovative, hands-on strategist, a strong manager, and a mission-driven fundraiser who thrives in large complex, organizations and fast-paced, collaborative fundraising departments, we'd like to meet you.</p> <p>Major Responsibilities:</p> <p>Strategic Planning & Execution</p> <ul> <li>Develop and lead a multi-year fundraising strategy to: </li><li>Grow sustainable unrestricted revenue. </li><li>Expand the donor base through acquisition and improved retention </li><li>Serve as a pipeline for Major Gifts and Planned Giving </li><li>Regularly assess and optimize strategy based on performance data and donor behavior. </li></ul> <p>Channel & Campaign Management</p> <ul> <li>Oversee the execution of integrated fundraising campaigns across direct mail, email, digital, SMS, and emerging channels. </li><li>Oversee the Midlevel program within Annual Fund: determine upgrade and stewardship strategies to grow the Midlevel donor portfolio </li><li>Design and implement testing strategies to explore new audiences, channels, and content. </li><li>Leverage WCS's unique assets-including zoo attendance and media partnerships-to broaden reach and build donor engagement. </li></ul> <p>Team & Vendor Oversight</p> <ul> <li>Manage and mentor a small internal team. </li><li>Lead and continuously assess relationships with external agencies, ensuring excellence in creative development, data strategy, campaign execution, and performance analysis. </li></ul> <p>Creative & Messaging Strategy</p> <ul> <li>Collaborate with internal teams to develop compelling messaging that communicates WCS's conservation impact and inspires donor action. </li><li>Align direct response communications with organizational priorities and broader marketing efforts. </li><li>Develop strategies for personalized interactions with mid-level donors, including coaching staff and occasionally communicating with donors directly. </li></ul> <p>Analytics & Reporting</p> <ul> <li>Establish KPIs and produce regular reporting that evaluates donor acquisition, retention, ROI, and lifetime value. </li><li>Use data insights to inform strategy and continually improve results </li></ul>