Direct Marketing Manager - Retention

***Please download the job description for full details***

We have entered a new and exciting strategic period at the DEC and are seeking a Direct Marketing Manager, Retention to lead on communications with our donors and to shape and deliver new and existing supporter journeys for the DEC’s individual, community and legacy donors, and lead a programme of improvement across all major contact points between the DEC and the public.

The purpose of the role is to:

• Contribute to and develop DEC direct marketing strategies, including the refreshing, implementation and analysis of the DEC’s segmentation, to maximise future income and continually improve the retention of individual supporters for future emergency appeals,

• Lead on the production of retention and reporting back materials for individual and community supporters,

• Manage the development and maintenance of specific supporter journeys,

• Develop and oversee the materials and supporter positioning for a light touch and mainly reactive legacy marketing programme for the DEC.

The role will deliver responsibilities for strategy and planning, fundraising, networking and building relationships. You must have strong direct marketing experience with a focus on high volume donor acquisition and demonstrable knowledge of direct marketing techniques such as direct mail, email, SMS and SMS content management systems.

A proven track record of developing effective digital and direct marketing strategies, which resulted in significant growth of income and retention of a charity’s individual supporters. Experience of managing complex budgets and proven ability to manage a complex operational plan within very short timeframes and within budget.

You must have excellent understanding of donor motivations, managing donor relationships, supplier relationships and negotiating contracts. Ideally you will have experience of working in the international humanitarian aid sector, have excellent understanding of current trends within charity direct marketing and have used Salesforce and Salesforce Marketing Cloud and Google analytics.

An ability to work under extreme pressure during appeals and to very tight deadlines with excellent attention to detail is a key driver for success in this role.

You will join a collaborative team, department and organisation that excels in maximising their fundraising effort in response to disasters and keeps donors and recipients of funds updated and engaged throughout and beyond the journey of an appeal.

The DEC is an equal opportunities employer and provides opportunities to learn and grow in an inclusive, supportive, and productive environment. We encourage applications from anyone who can meet the criteria, regardless of gender, race, age, disability, sexuality, or religion.

How to apply

If this role is of interest and meets your skills, experience, and knowledge, then please apply with your anonymised CV & cover letter [i.e. please state your initials only, not your full name] to HR@dec.org.uk by 9am, Friday 11th April 2025.

The DEC is committed to the safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults and participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from successful applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent, to these recruitment procedures.