Donor Engagement Specialist

**Job Advert Summary**:
(This is a permanent position based in Newlands, Cape Town)

WWF is the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that has worked for 50 years with the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people. WWFs work is _for nature, for you_.

Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.

**Background**

The Donor Engagement Specialist plays a key role in the implementation of programmes and day-to-day fundraising operations, in line with organisational plans and objectives. This position has specific responsibilities for the coordination of acquisition, retention and loyalty programmes for WWF SA’s financial supporters. This includes regular givers, occasional donors, legacy pledgers, major donors and retention and acquisition through events.

Specifically, the Donor Engagement Specialist will research, propose, manage and write regular and special communications for donors, and prospects that deliver clear and compelling messages about the opportunities for and impact of philanthropic support for WWF. These communications will include content that can be used online and in print, in cases for support, in customized communications, as talking points, in broader communications and marketing efforts in support of development campaigns.

The position works closely with the Individual Fundraising Manager and the Head of BDU and Marketing who have the responsibility of ensuring the ongoing income from our donors.

The Donor Engagement Specialist will work autonomously in project-managing identified donor campaigns and will work closely with the Individual Relations Manager in developing new acquisition and retention-based initiatives, before taking ownership of their ongoing monitoring, maintenance and further development. This role will also assist in the analysis and monitoring of our donor base to ensure quality loyalty and retention programmes. This position reports directly to the Individual Fundraising Manager.

**Minimum Requirements**:

- Qualification in Marketing
- 5-10 years experience in marketing/ fundraising/ similar role.
- Understanding of CRM systems
- Understanding of digital marketing
- Trustworthy
- Reliable
- Passionate about WWF
- Innovative

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Drive messaging, content and execution of assigned development communications projects, including producing print mailers and e-communications for donors highlighting impactful stories, accolades and donations received
- Develop and maintain stakeholder communications via social media and newsletters, creating promotional assets as necessary;
- Develop supporter journeys that build the donor’s understanding of our work and inspire them to remain loyal and increase their value.
- Communications planning and implementation support (including assisting with briefing and directing agencies where appropriate) across a range of channels.
- Build a solid understanding of our donors using data and research to build insight, define different segments and tailor communications accordingly.
- Managing donor information on CRM or ERP systems
- Ensure that good stewardship and donor delight are at the forefront of everything that we do, from the first interaction with the donor onwards, by working closely with the Individual Relations Manager to deliver a robust welcome and loyalty plan
- Overseeing the import of financial data from various donation sites into Netsuite.
- Support the Individual Relations Manager in developing the overall strategy and plan for donor care and retention in conjunction with broader fundraising plans
- Assisting in the management of the design, production and distribution of donor care materials including the various campaigns throughout the year
- Work with the Individual Relations Manager to develop an annual test strategy for the continuous refinement and improvement of donor retention interventions and donor cultivation
- Manage and monitor all welcome and thank you processes and materials for financial supporters utilising the most cost effective and appropriate channels
- Work with the Individual Relations Manager in rolling out a loyalty campaign
- Assisting in developing curated events for financial supporters and donors
- Work