Background:

CRS Annual Giving Team within the Charitable Giving Division of CRS is responsible for key revenue-generating programs, including New Donor Acquisition, Monthly Giving, Direct Response Fundraising, Digital Fundraising and various donation-driven campaigns.  This is an important new initiative with a focus on strategies and initiatives that resonate with younger donors, emphasizing engagement and modern marketing techniques.

Job Summary:
We are seeking a passionate and dynamic Market Development Manager to engage and cultivate relationships with a new generation of CRS donors. This role will focus on developing strategies to attract, retain, and empower young donors to advance our mission and maximize their impact within the organization. The Market Development Manager will develop and implement data-driven, donor lifecycle strategies to drive the growth of targeting younger audiences, utilizing a multi-channel approach. The current age of our private donor is around 70 years old, highlighting the need to attract younger donors as the existing demographic ages, focusing on individuals in their late 20’s to early 60’s. The strategic focus on younger donors not only supports the sustainability of private fundraising but also aligns with the Church’s mission to connect with future generations.

Job Responsibilities:

• Define the audience: It is imperative to clearly define what a young donor audience is.      Fundraising techniques will be built around each defined aged audience that contributes to the overall Charitable Giving fundraising goals.
• Engagement Focus:      Once those younger audiences are defined and clearly communicated, the incumbent will develop annual and multi-year plans to maximize engagement and growth among younger donors through direct mail, email, digital ads, and more. Ensure efficient execution of acquisition, conversion, retention, and upgrade strategies with a strong focus on enhancing the donor experience.
• Changing Landscape of the Catholic Church: It is imperative that we continue to understand the evolving demographics within the Catholic Church in the U.S., noting shifts in membership and participation, particularly among younger generations.
• Community Building: Determine how we can foster a sense of community among younger donors through online platforms, building relationships with younger donors by creating personalized and meaningful experiences,
• Creative Campaigns: Work with staff across IG to determine what appeals to younger demographics.  Experiment with new formats/channels to enhance donor engagement and participation.  Once this is tested and learnings have been achieved, oversee campaign documentation, performance, and expense reporting, emphasizing strategic messaging and communication for younger donors across various platforms.
• Support digital fundraising efforts: Collaborate on digital fundraising campaigns and develop online tools to foster successful initiatives aimed at younger audiences.
• Oversee campaign workflow: Manage the process from conception to completion, collaborating closely with Donor Services, writers, graphic designers, and the Web Team, while coordinating with mail shops and vendors.
• Quality control: Ensure campaign materials are engaging and relevant, including letters, brochures, emails, ads, and other communications targeted at younger donor prospects.
• Feedback Loop: Work with IG colleagues to regularly gather and analyze feedback from young donors to understand their motivations and preferences, using this information to refine engagement strategies.

Young Donor Engagement Specific:

• Align marketing strategies: Integrate direct marketing and digital fundraising efforts to create a cohesive strategy targeting younger donors across all channels, including direct mail, texting, email, digital marketing, web, and social media.
• Philanthropic Trends: Continue the work on long-term trends in philanthropy and the work that has been done within CG on Generational Donors.  Understanding that younger donors exhibit different giving behaviors, including a preference for causes that align with their values.
• Research trends: Identify emerging trends in young donor engagement and bring innovative ideas to the team; optimize under-utilized opportunities across various channels to support engagement goals.
• Collaboration: Consult and collaborate with advisors on youth-targeted programs and initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Synergy with Younger Donor Efforts: There will be high overlap between initiatives targeting younger donors and the Hispanic Donor initiative. It is imperative to collaborate efforts to engage these demographics, as younger Hispanics are an increasingly significant segment of both the Church and the philanthropic landscape.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
2 Annual Giving Staff: Sustainer Advisor II and Alternative Giving and Market Development Advisor I

Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Content, Analytics, Planned Gifts, Hispanic Development Team, Middle Donor, Donor Services, MARCOM, Purchasing & Finance, Web Team
External: Any external vendors, Coordinate with team in AG on digital ad vendors, any other fundraising consultants

Travel: Occasional travel to our headquarters in Baltimore; possible conference(s) annually; infrequent donor events

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff.  When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals.  These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – consistently takes responsibilities for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust  – shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience in supervising a team.  
• The incumbent will oversee day-to-day operations and ensure that team members are effectively executing engagement strategies.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to anticipate opportunities and challenges.
• Effective time management skills, deadline-driven, and works well under pressure.
• Innovative thinker with the ability to develop creative engagement strategies.
• Team player with a collaborative mindset.
• Proactive, requiring minimal supervision, and demonstrates strong follow-through.
• Positive attitude and enthusiasm, with a strong commitment to CRS mission.
• Understanding of the Catholic Church and the importance of having a nuanced understanding of the Catholic Church’s structure, culture, and community dynamics in the U.S giving the incumbent the ability to effectively engage younger donors and address their unique motivations for giving.
• Proficient in MS Office.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing and social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Facebook).
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proven decision-making and negotiating skills.
• Understanding of fundraising concepts with a passion for raising money.
• Familiarity with digital channels and current trends.

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• Minimum of four-six years of relevant work experience required
• Minimum of two years of supervisory/management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• Experience with CRM and email marketing is a plus.
• Familiarity with donor databases or related systems is a plus.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements