Gerard Search Looking for Senior Officer, Direct Response, BC SPCA at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Full Time

As a Senior Officer, Direct Response at the BC SPCA, you’ll be joining one of the most innovative and successful fundraising teams in Canada. The BC SPCA is funded by compassionate animal lovers who helped us assist nearly 119,000 animals last year. Your work will help make all of this possible.

As part of the Direct Response team, you’ll develop fundraising, marketing, stewardship and cultivation materials primarily for the Direct Response portfolio and provide content development support to other Revenue Development teams. The Direct Response portfolio includes annual, mid-level, monthly and expectants and are communicated with primarily through mail and phone.

This position is normally based out of the BC SPCA Provincial Office in Vancouver with the possibility of a hybrid in office and work from home schedule, contingent on performance. Adjustments to actual work location will also be made based on health and safety considerations related to the pandemic. Ability to work effectively from home/off-site, may be required.

What’s it like working at the BC SPCA?

Our Team:

The fundraising team prides itself on having created a fun, supportive and positive work culture. We are results-driven and committed to excellence through professionalism, compassion, collaboration and innovation (and yes, there are dogs in the office… and sometimes other animals too).

What we do:

We’re passionate about helping animals live safe, healthy and loved lives, and about helping their humans too. We’re the only animal welfare organization in B.C. that has the authority to enforce laws relating to animal cruelty. And, we’re one of North America’s most progressive animal welfare organizations with evidence-based standards of care. We’re knowledge leaders.

The role of Senior Officer, Direct Response

• Supports the Manager, Direct Response in meeting all portfolio fundraising targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and reports in regularly
• Contributes to the development of the Direct Response strategy and annual plan.
• Oversees strategy and development for Direct Response materials and ensures they are consistent with the overarching Direct Response strategy
• Is the lead copywriter for all direct response materials, including researching and developing written copy for all Direct Response materials such as direct mail, stewardship and gratitude materials, phone and event scripts, advertising, advertorials, directory listings and brochures
• Provides oversight of graphic design for Direct Response projects and other projects as necessary
• Provides direction to the Direct Response Creative team to ensure that the creative concepts are fully realized including overseeing the approvals and proofing process
• Coordinates with agencies for any externally developed Direct Response materials
• Supports other teams with written copy including impact reports, eblasts, invitations, articles and advertorials for publication (internal and external)
• Coordinates story sourcing and story database in collaboration with digital representative
• Works within the Direct Response team to:
• Develop creative concepts, specifications and segment strategies for direct response materials. Additionally, works in collaboration with the Will & Estate Gifts team to develop creative concepts for legacy marketing and expectant materials
• Implements testing strategies for Direct Response materials
• Analyzes results and determines how future strategies may need to be adapted accordingly
• Coordinates logistics with assigned agencies, vendors or suppliers
• Responsible for the hiring, onboarding, performance management/development, and recognition of assigned Direct Response Creative team members
• Provides active coaching and mentorship to ensure objectives and goals are met, celebrating individual and team successes
• Conducts regular SMART goal setting and performance reviews
• Participates in department strategies to continue to enhance the overall donor experience of excellence
• Attends and contributes to team, department and organization meetings
• Develops and maintains relationships with industry peers and commits to continued education, learning and innovation
• Where time allows may support other departments within the organization with copy or design
• Other duties as required

While every day is different, a day in this role might include:

• Meeting with the Manager, Direct Response and Development Officer, Creative to develop the overall creative direction for upcoming direct mail pieces
• Writing direct mail letters to various groups of supporters
• Editing scripts for calling campaigns
• Working with our Philanthropy team to plan a new stewardship report
• Supporting the Events team with developing content for invitations and signage
• Working with the Development Officer, Creative to create vibrant print advertisements highlighting leaving an estate gift
• Developing in-office materials, such as buckslips, brochures, etc
• Sets up layout for print and digital versions of an impact report

Requirements

What type of person are you?

• A reliable team member and leader who is willing to pitch in as needed to get the job done
• A motivated and innovative problem-solver
• A thoughtful and compassionate writer who is able to create narratives that develop and/or deepen relationships with donors, potential donors, and other stakeholders
• An analytical thinker who can review past works, draw insights from them based on performance, and proactively finds ways to improve new and existing works
• Someone who is comfortable with creative technologies and platforms who enjoys both the technical and creative side of both print and digital content design
• Someone who is adaptable and open to change –this portfolio includes seasonal campaigns so every month brings new priorities, deadlines and challenges
• Someone who thrives working in a team but has no problems working independently. Due the complexity of our campaigns and the many moving parts, this position works very closely with other members of the Revenue Development team and is in daily contact either working closely in the office (health restrictions allowing) or in regular daily contact by email, video chat and messenger.

What skills have you developed?

• Post-secondary degree or diploma plus 5-8 years of experience in marketing content development ideally in non-profit direct response or non-profit marketing; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer
• Familiarity with and applied use of Philanthropic Psychology principles strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to:
• Develop marketing copywriting (experience in donor communications is ideal)
• Balance creative inspiration and data-informed best practices to produce assets that achieve the intended goal
• Project management, including the ability to work proactively and efficiently, be well organized, set and manage competing priorities, establish procedures, manage external contractors and meet overlapping deadlines in an agile, innovative, fast-paced environment
• Work collaboratively on shared projects with individual responsibilities
• Identify potential challenges and opportunities as well as bring forward solutions
• Gather information: determining need, sourcing, analyzing, distilling and using it to inform decision making
• Use both industry standard and generally accessible graphic design programs (e.g. Adobe and Canva)
• A clear and persuasive communicator in English, both written and oral; ability to communicate respectfully to a diverse audience
• Professional demeanor, attire and presentation
• High level of comfort with change and using best practice change management frameworks
• Some experience managing staff is ideal
• Passion for technology and continuous learning with high proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development
• Philosophical harmony with the mission, vision and strategic direction of the BC SPCA

Benefits

• Full time salaried position $64,800 to $81,000.
• Three weeks’ vacation plus twelve sick days
• Competitive extended health benefits after three months.
• Employer RRSP contributions after three months
• Eligible for professional development after twelve months
• Positive work-place culture of collaboration, innovation and respect
• And yes, there are dogs in the office…every single day – and sometimes other animals too!

The BC SPCA compensation structure is based on external benchmarks and regularly reviewed. Starting placement on the range for this position will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience.

Application deadline: We are accepting rolling applications until the position is filled.

Check status of the search process here: https://www.gerardsearch.com/searches.html

Contact Phil@gerardsearch.com for more information.