Fund Development Officer – Direct Response and Stewardship
Who We Are
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights is a progressive, pro-choice charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive rights in Canada and globally. To achieve our mission, Action Canada engages in health promotion, legal and policy advocacy, campaigns, and movement-building.
We believe in a world where every person controls their sexuality, reproduction, gender expression, and health. In our fight for sexual and reproductive rights for all, Action Canada challenges the systems that create unequal access to information, health care, and rights.
For more information, visit actioncanadashr.org.
Role Overview
Reporting to the Director of Communications and Fund Development, the Fund Development Officer, Direct Response and Stewardship is responsible for coordinating and implementing an integrated Direct Response program for Action Canada. The successful candidate will provide extensive leadership and creativity in designing and managing existing direct response revenue streams, including direct mail, telemarketing, monthly giving, and digital fundraising, as well as new direct response programs that may be introduced as part of Action Canada’s Fund Development strategy. In addition, the role will include building programs that include donor stewardship elements and supporting data analytics. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Fund Development Officer, Direct Response and Stewardship will work with both internal and external parties to successfully deliver on program results.
Position Overview
The Officer’s responsibilities will include:
Direct Response Program Leadership and Design:
- Leads the creative development and design of all direct response appeals
- Develops and implements an integrated annual direct response plan that maximizes net income and achieves overall program targets and objectives, including supporting an Anti-Racist andAnti Oppressive (ARAO) approach to fundraising drives
- Applies appropriate innovations within direct response fundraising by adjusting strategies and tactics
- Ensures that all direct response program initiatives comply with national and provincial regulations including, but not limited to PIPEDA, CRA, CMA, Imagine Canada’s Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code and AFP’s Code of Ethical Principles and Standards
- Supports using an ARAO lens in all direct response program initiatives including in the wording and images used and is open to rethinking traditional approaches while working with best practice on ARAO
Direct Response Program Coordination:
- Develops and implements an integrated direct response program strategy that achieves revenue targets, maximizes net income, and meets established performance metrics and objectives in alignment with our values as an organization
- Coordinates with external agencies in the delivery of direct response programs by developing revenue and communications objectives, providing strategic directions, approving copy and creative, and facilitating required donor data
- Develops schedule and critical path for each component of the direct response program, including acquisition and conversion strategies
- Coordinates with appropriate internal Action Canada staff to ensure content and messaging in donor solicitations/communications are accurate and reflect our values
- Monitors and analyses results for all direct response appeals
- Makes recommendations based on insights and analysis of appeal and segment performance
- Manages and maintains inventories of direct response materials
Program Analysis & Reporting:
- Works with the fundraising and operations teams to ensure that proper tracking systems are in place to monitor campaigns and appeals
- Analyses appeal performance and campaign effectiveness against set benchmarks and performance metrics
- Produces timely reports showing performance against targets
- Produces regular reports showing analytics related to our donor base
Financial and Budget Management:
- Works with direct supervisor to develop a detailed annual revenue and expense budget for the direct response program
- Monitors monthly revenue and expense budgets
- Reviews and approves program expenditures
- Arranges the payment of invoices
Internal Work Relationships:
- Works with the Donor Relations Officer to ensure donor stewardship strategies and practices use an ARAO lens and effectively engage our supporters with our long-term work
- Collaborates with program and communications staff to identify compelling stories of impact that are effective and appropriate to use in direct response appeals
- Works closely with marketing, communications, and digital media staff to develop and implement a strategy to integrate online and offline direct response initiatives and effectively leverage social media for fundraising purposes
- Works closely with the Web and IT Coordinator to ensure data integrity, effective data capture, data pulls, and identify data opportunities and challenges
- Assists and guides other members of the team on direct response methods and protocols
- Provides input and supports overall departmental goals and objectives by working collaboratively with members of the Communications and Fund Development team to ensure program integration, including fundraising/stewardship events and the broader ARAO and other work of the organization
- Works closely with members of other departments to ensure alignment and integration with overall organizational goals and priorities
Qualifications
- University degree, post-secondary diploma in Marketing/Fundraising or relevant combination of education and/or experience working in the not-for-profit sector; CFRE Designation is an asset
- A minimum of five (5) years direct response fundraising experience with preferably three (3) years of experience managing direct response programs within the charitable sector or a non-governmental organization
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices associated with direct response fundraising
- Proven record of achievement managing and implementing an integrated direct response program
- Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and commitment to global justice, anti-racism and anti-oppression, sexual and reproductive health and rights, feminist policy and practice and the mission and values of Action Canada
- Commitment to learning and unlearning about the interconnections between ARAO and fundraising practices
- Excellent written and spoken skills in English required, including the ability to communicate for direct response purposes and communicate complex issues in a way that is concise, professional, and easily understood
- Demonstrated and excellent writing, editorial, and overall communications skills
- Excellent analytical and strategic management skills; high level of attention to detail and accuracy
- Demonstrated budget management skills
- Superior public relations skills with experience working directly with donors
- Proven capacity to work in a self-directed manner as well as demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with other staff and volunteers
- High proficiency using computer applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Contact Management Systems (CiviCRM an asset)
- French language proficiency is a strong asset
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), salaried position. This is a unionized position in CUPE Local 2722-05. Salary for this position is $60,000 per annum. Action Canada also provides a generous benefits program, including extended health and dental benefits, leave allowances, and RRSP contributions.
Location
Action Canada’s offices are based in Ottawa, Ontario; however, some staff members work in other locations under a remote work agreement. Action Canada will prioritize hiring candidates based in Ottawa (or willing to relocate) but will consider applications from candidates within Ontario. All candidates must be legally able to work in Canada.
To Apply
Send your cover letter, outlining your fit for this position, and your CV, to: jobs@actioncanadashr.org with the subject line: Fund Development Officer – [Your Last Name] by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, November 30.
Hiring Process and Timeline
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted the weeks of November 28 or December 5. Interviews will take place the weeks of December 5 and 12, with a start date of early January, depending on the successful candidate’s availability.
The hiring process will include a one-hour panel interview to take place over video conference and a short skills-based test.
Action Canada is committed to working within an anti-racism and anti-oppression framework and dismantling the white supremacy inherent to the SRHR movement. We are explicitly inviting women and gender diverse members of Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities to apply and self-identify in your cover letter. We welcome applications from people living with disabilities; please let us know if you require accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process.
Recognizing that we are in the midst of an unprecedented and unusual time, we have made adjustments to our hiring processes. At this time, all staff at Action Canada are working from home, and the interviewing and on-boarding process will occur remotely. We acknowledge that COVID-19 has caused disruptions to many lives and people may require additional accommodations.
We thank all applicants in advance; however, only those invited for an interview will be contacted.