Senior Director of Direct Marketing and Participation

Position Summary:
Are You a Data-Driven, Detail-Oriented Professional?

If you know that direct marketing is a science driven by data, segmentation, and performance metrics
, read on.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Annual Giving Programs, the Senior Director of Direct Marketing and Participation will translate complex data, optimize audience segmentation, and efficiently track return on investment to expand WashU’s donor base and annual fund support. You will lead, mentor, and empower a talented team of 6–7 professionals, coordinating high-impact multichannel fundraising campaigns across mail, digital, and phone channels.

While you will partner closely with our internal communications team to ensure brand alignment, you sit squarely on the fundraising strategy side—focused on execution, numbers, and results.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Data & Segmentation Strategy: Drive acquisition, retention, and stewardship strategies by deeply analyzing audience data, past appeal performance, retention rates, and industry trends to make data-backed decisions.
• Team Leadership: Manage, inspire, and guide a high-performing team of 6–7 direct reports managing major initiatives including WashU Giving Day, the Loyalty Society, the Engagement Center, premium fulfillment, the License Plate Program, and Matching Gift Programs.
• Fast-Paced Execution & Project Management: Master a high-volume, deadline-driven workflow. Oversee multi-channel direct marketing schedules, act as final approver for campaign materials, and guarantee that all segments are targeted accurately and efficiently.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner seamlessly with internal teams—including Analytics, Data & Reporting, Advancement Systems, Donor Relations, and Advancement Communications to align fundraising projects without getting bogged down in traditional communications tasks.
• Technology & Data Hygiene: Oversee direct marketing tech stacks and vendor systems (such as engagement center software and data analytics platforms) while maintaining rigorous standards for data hygiene and precise segmentation.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: 6+ years of relevant experience, ideally featuring heavy exposure to annual giving, complex university settings, or national non-profit organizations.
• The Non-Negotiables:
  • Proven supervisory management experience leading teams of 5+ staff.
  • Deep fluency in data analytics, audience segmentation, and performance-based marketing ROI.
  • Exceptional organizational skills, relentless multitasking abilities, and an unflappable sense of calm in a high-velocity environment.
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills tailored for a fast-moving, collaborative workplace.

Preferred Skills & Knowledge

• Direct experience with multichannel fundraising campaigns in higher education.
• Familiarity with specific tools such as Vanilla Soft, Click Up, and Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing deadlines, shift priorities dynamically, and maintain impeccable attention to detail.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as peak fundraising cycles and high-level events require.

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