Associate Director, Direct Response

Scarborough Health Network•Granbury, TX

2d•CA$53 - CA$53•Onsite

About The Position

Scarborough Health Network (SHN) Foundation is seeking a dynamic, driven, and accomplished fundraising professional to join their team as the Associate Director, Direct Response. This role will provide strategic leadership for SHN Foundation’s multi-channel annual fundraising program, with a strong emphasis on digital growth. The position owns the vision, strategy, and performance of the direct response program and leads cross-functional teams and agency partners to drive donor acquisition, retention, and lifetime value. Programs include direct mail, digital, monthly donors, memorial and tribute, Honour Your Caregiver (With Gratitude) programs, and new channel initiatives. The Associate Director will collaborate with colleagues in Marketing & Communications and Stewardship to deliver an unparalleled donor experience and strengthen donor loyalty. This position requires a self-motivated individual adept at strategic thinking and executing all operational aspects of the program.

Requirements

5–7+ years of progressive experience leading a multi-channel annual or direct response fundraising program, with demonstrated ownership of strategy, results, and revenue growth.
Proven success growing digital fundraising revenue, including experience with online donation platforms (e.g., Fundraise Up, Raisin) and digital campaign design, optimization, and reporting.
Advanced expertise in Raiser’s Edge, including segmentation strategy, data extraction, analysis, and application of insights to improve performance.
Experience leading agency and vendor relationships, providing strategic direction, performance oversight, and accountability for results.
Strong strategic mindset, with the ability to translate data, insights, and trends into clear fundraising strategies and actionable plans.
Demonstrated leadership and influence skills, with experience driving cross-functional collaboration and guiding stakeholders toward shared outcomes.
Deep understanding of the donor lifecycle, with a track record of successfully moving donors from acquisition through retention, upgrade, and long-term value.
Commitment to stewardship excellence, with hands-on experience designing and delivering meaningful donor engagement experiences.
Digital and analytical fluency, including comfort with metrics, dashboards, testing, and performance management tied to financial targets and KPIs.
Highly organized, self-directed leader with the ability to manage complexity, competing priorities, and high-impact initiatives.
Proven ability to think strategically and work independently in driving new initiatives or enhancing existing programs.
Excellent verbal communication skills, along with strong writing and editing capabilities to create marketing/fundraising copy for multiple media.
Strong attention to detail and proofreading abilities are also required.
Detail-oriented, with strong organizational, analytical, and planning skills.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for SHN Foundation’s annual and direct response fundraising program, partnering closely with the Vice President, Philanthropy and external agency partners to deliver sustainable revenue growth while maintaining strong cost ratios.
Own the strategy, performance, and evolution of a fully integrated, multi-channel direct response program (direct mail, monthly giving, digital giving, telemarketing, SMS, face-to-face), with a particular focus on scaling digital revenue, donor acquisition, conversion, and retention.
Lead the development and execution of annual operating plans and budgets for the annual program, including forecasting, performance tracking, risk mitigation, and optimization against KPIs.
Drive the growth and optimization of digital giving programs, including online donation platforms, email fundraising, digital acquisition, and integrated donor journeys—leveraging testing, personalization, and data-driven decision-making.
Serve as the internal expert and thought leader on direct response and digital fundraising trends, identifying opportunities to pilot new approaches, tools, or technologies that enhance donor experience and long-term value.
Provide creative and strategic leadership to storytelling, messaging, and campaign development, ensuring compelling donor-centred content across digital and offline channels.
Collaborate with the AVP, Operations and Technology and Vice President, Philanthropy to analyze data, define segmentation and targeting strategies, and translate insights into actionable revenue growth plans.
Oversee data strategy and execution, including segmentation, data extraction from Raiser’s Edge, and delivery to vendors or internal teams for direct mail and digital campaigns.
Lead cross-functional collaboration with Stewardship, Donor Engagement, Marketing, and Operations to design and deliver cohesive, end-to-end donor journeys that maximize lifetime value.
Partner with the Director, Stewardship and Donor Engagement to ensure a strong, strategic stewardship framework is in place for annual and digital donors, aligned with retention and upgrade goals.
Provide operational leadership for all appeals, including timelines, creative development, data execution, vendor and agency management, and post-campaign analysis.
Ensure strong governance and accountability through accurate donor records, performance reporting, and regular communication of insights, trends, and outcomes to senior leaders and key stakeholders.

Benefits

Competitive salary
Annual performance bonus
Industry-leading defined benefit pension plan through HOOPP
Comprehensive benefits
Opportunity to progress and build your career
Defined Benefit pension plan through the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan
Comprehensive insured benefits package including health and dental benefits
New Graduate Initiative Enroute Program
Critical Care Sponsorship Program
Employee Discount and Incentive Programs
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Other comprehensive wellness offerings
Spiritual Care team of registered psychotherapists for spiritual, religious or emotional care
Mental health supports
On-site wellness rounding
Recognition events
Leadership Development and Learning Programs
Tuition Assistance Program