Lead Direct Response Specialist (Fundraising)

at  Wikimedia Foundation

SUMMARY

The Wikimedia Foundation is the non-profit organization that operates Wikipedia – one of the most popular websites in the world, serving nearly half a billion users every month. It is the only non-profit in the top 50 websites, supported by a community of millions of individual donors around the world.
The Wikimedia Foundation is expanding its team and seeking an experienced direct response fundraiser to contribute to our audience-based fundraising strategy while overseeing new avenues of growth, including direct mail. Succeeding in this role will require a creative, data-driven mindset to help us get to the next level of innovation to drive the continued growth of Wikimedia’s fundraising program.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proficiency in donor retention, upgrade strategies, recurring donation management, and techniques for growing donor LTV.
• Familiarity with non-digital fundraising channels such as Direct Mail and SMS, as well as integrated direct response marketing principles.
• Experience working with detailed audience segmentation, data analysis, and managing complex donor journeys across multiple audience segments.
• Comfortable working with donor KPI metrics and utilizing them to drive strategic decisions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and departments.
• A proactive and results-oriented approach, with a commitment to continuous improvement and learning.
  This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of the fundraising department at Wikimedia Foundation by driving audience development initiatives and optimizing direct response fundraising efforts. If you are passionate about fundraising, data-driven decision-making, and making a positive impact, we encourage you to apply.

• Conceptualize and execute tailored donor journeys for various donor segments, encompassing recurring donors, grassroots supporters, and lapsed donors.
• Spearhead the management of the new direct mail pilot program, ensuring its effectiveness and alignment with organizational goals.
• Help launch SMS as a new communication channel to help with donor retention.
• Develop strategies to enhance donor upgrade opportunities and increase donor lifetime value (LTV).
• Collaborate with the Major Gifts, Foundations and Endowment team (MGFE) team to plan Donor Advised Fund (DAF), and Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) and Planned Giving marketing strategies aimed at broader audiences.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to donor retention, tracking progress and implementing adjustments as needed.
• Conduct donor research initiatives, including user testing, surveys, and focus groups, to inform decision-making and strategy refinement.
• Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing donor KPI metrics to inform strategic decisions and optimize performance.