Vice President - Resource Development, Direct Response

Wounded Warrior Project•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Resource Development, Direct Response Vice President is responsible for fueling our mission by driving efforts to increase revenue through direct response fundraising channels, including direct mail, monthly giving, and digital fundraising. This position develops and executes strategies to drive revenue across all channels and ensures the continued growth of the direct response portfolio through prospecting, acquisition, stewardship, retention, and reactivation of individual donors. The Direct Response Vice President applies direct response fundraising best practices in direct mail, DRTV, face-to-face canvassing, digital fundraising, and social media channels by leading the team and vendor partners to implement campaigns that acquire new donors, maximize return on investment, and increase donor retention. Additionally, this role collaborates closely with peers in Business Development and Donor Stewardship, as well as Marketing and Communications, to ensure organizational alignment and facilitate the seamless journey of benefactors through the donor pipeline.

Requirements

Strong working understanding of direct response fundraising, databases, data modeling, data-driven marketing, testing, and optimization techniques.
Proven leadership experience with large groups, demonstrating a highly motivated, creative approach with the ability to inspire, coach, and guide teammates while fostering a strong team mentality.
Flexible and adaptable leadership style, with the ability to positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
Ability to lead through vision and values, utilizing each as a daily guide for personal actions while translating them to teammates and organizational partners, connecting their responsibilities to the organization as a whole.
Capable of working independently and as a team player while productively engaging with key stakeholders within and outside WWP.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritize, delegate responsibility, and ensure deadlines are met.
Proven track record of managing multiple concurrent tasks and projects.
Skilled at driving team and organizational performance goals, troubleshooting effectively, focusing on innovative solutions, and facilitating continued growth.
Strong business acumen with the ability to monitor, compile, and analyze data to guide decision-making and capitalize on opportunities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage diverse personalities in a tactful, mature, and professional manner.
Highly effective interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish, develop, and maintain relationships with individuals, groups, and organizations.
Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information in a diplomatic and empathetic manner, while maintaining a professional and resourceful approach.
Proficiency in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Office, (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, Project, PowerPoint).
Ability to travel frequently.
High energy level.
Self-starter; willing to take initiative.
Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct.
Mission-driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.
Ten years of experience in fundraising, sales management, or business development, with a responsibility of meeting or exceeding target goals.
Six years of staff management experience.
Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, or related field.
Equivalent combination of applicable education, training, certification, and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
Valid state-issued driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Ten years of nonprofit fundraising management experience, including direct response responsibilities.
Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), communication, or marketing.

Responsibilities

Lead direct response strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, recognize, steward, and retain individual donors, considering both short-term and long-term goals to align with the overall strategic plan.
Work with the Chief Development Officer to set and achieve ambitious fundraising goals for Direct Response that will help guide WWP toward long-term financial sustainability.
Develop revenue and expense projections for each direct response revenue channel annually, compared to historical performance, and present findings to leadership.
Re-project revenue for each direct response channel quarterly during the fiscal year and provide a summary to leadership.
Onboard, provide strategic direction to, and manage all direct response vendor partners utilized for planning and executing direct response campaigns for direct mail, digital fundraising, social media, and monthly giving marketing strategies—including DRTV and face-to-face fundraising.
Deploy robust testing, segmentation, and optimization within direct response to maximize performance.
Collaborate with all Resource Development teams to ensure alignment and optimal revenue generation.
Collaborate with Marketing and Communications on integrated campaigns.
Provide strategic and implementation support for specific initiatives as necessary.
Define and analyze key performance indicators for all direct response revenue channels.
Represent the organization in public and private presentations.
Manage vendor partner relationships in collaboration with Donor Experience, Donor Applications, and Finance & Accounting, ensuring alignment with Direct Response performance (e.g., caging facilities, digital donation forms, credit card processors, and customer relationship management systems).
Recruit, retain, and develop all direct response teammates, guiding them to become a cross-functional team.
Serve as a thought leader and champion for direct response marketing best practices within the department and across the organization.
Ensure optimal donor experience and performance using advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and machine learning to enhance overall marketing effectiveness across channels.
Lead the analytical insights of donor lifecycle campaigns, donor behavior analysis, and the development and execution of significance testing, along with presenting campaign results and optimization opportunities.
Act as a change agent, transforming donor behavior insights into measurable business results.
Establish and enforce policies and procedures to improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the organization.
Serve as a member of the WWP Executive Team, participating in all related meetings and activities.
Attend and actively participate in required training and/or meetings, including but not limited to New Teammate Orientation, WWP Cares, ASIST Suicide Prevention training, Leadership training, culture/team based training, or departmental huddles.
Other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

A flexible hybrid work schedule (three days in the office, two days’ work from home)
Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for both teammates AND family members
Competitive pay and performance incentives
A fun, mission-focused, and collaborative team environment
Medical/Prescription drug, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, and an Employee Assistance Program.
401(k)-retirement plan
A competitive PTO package
Sick Leave
Family Care Leave
Paid Holidays
Birthday Holiday
Education Assistance
Teammate Wellness Program
Bereavement Leave