Direct Response Marketing Manager

Direct Response Marketing Manager

Position Purpose

The Marketing Manager will support Dartmouth College Fund (DCF) fundraising efforts by assisting with direct response marketing campaigns and class communication initiatives across multiple channels (email, direct mail, social media, etc.) to drive donor engagement and contributions. Supports student-run initiatives such as ThankView and other on-campus stewardship programs and engagement activities. Acts as key liaison between the DCF and the Advancement Marketing & Engagement (M&E), and the Recognition & Stewardship (R&S) teams to facilitate class-specific communications and ensure smooth collaboration on email and direct mail campaigns. 

Key Accountabilities

Works closely with the M&E team to align fund-wide and class-specific email campaigns with DCF’s broader communication strategy, minimizing unsubscribes and fostering alumni and donor engagement. Collaborates in the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns across multiple channels (email, direct mail, social media, and texting), with a primary focus on email marketing, to drive donor engagement and contributions. Designs, tests, and implements complex, targeted, fund-wide email marketing campaigns using approved platforms such as HubSpot, ensuring optimal deliverability and engagement. Assists with the creation of social media strategies and content for Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram platforms in collaboration with M&E. Maintains a digital asset library, ensuring that key materials (images, banners, videos, etc.) are available for campaign use and stewardship communications. Provides secondary support in managing relationships with external vendors to ensure timely and effective execution of campaigns. Supports student-run initiatives such as “thank you” campaigns and other on-campus stewardship programs, including creating student vlogs and monthly engagement activities. 35%

Acts as a key liaison between the marketing team and DCF class managing directors (CMD) to facilitate class-specific communication and ensure smooth collaboration on email and direct mail campaigns. Supports CMDs by creating and maintaining a content library, providing them with the necessary assets (images, banners, talking points, brand guidelines) for campaign messaging and branding. Develops and maintains project timelines for marketing initiatives, ensuring that deadlines align with fundraising schedules and key deadlines. Coordinates with the DCF Marketing & Stewardship, M&E, student interns, and CMDs to establish project timelines, track progress, and adjust timelines as necessary to accommodate changes or new opportunities. Facilitates regular check-ins with stakeholders to ensure all parties are informed about project status, responsibilities, and upcoming deadlines. Assists with volunteer needs by providing promotional merchandise and addressing ad hoc requests for marketing collateral, ensuring CMDs can equip volunteers with the tools necessary to promote DCF fundraising efforts effectively. 40%

Utilizes Advancement data and reporting platforms to generate targeted lists for email and direct mail campaigns based on donor segmentation and campaign goals. Ensures the accuracy of donor data, tracking trends in engagement, giving patterns, and communication history to support future marketing strategies. Generates timely, insightful reports on donor activity, campaign performance, and fundraising trends, enabling data-driven decision-marking. Collaborates with the development team to optimize data reporting processes, ensuring alignment with overall fundraising objectives. 20%

Performs other duties as assigned to support the DCF team and marketing department. 5%

Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

Employment will be contingent upon possession of a valid U.S. or Canadian driver’s license and continued qualification as an Approved Driver under the Dartmouth College Driver Safety and Motor Vehicle Policy.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communications, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in direct response marketing, preferably in fundraising, higher education, or nonprofit sectors
• Strong understanding of database management, list segmentation, and Advancement data and reporting platforms (e.g., data warehouse, Advance, Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, HubSpot, etc.)
• Proven experience in content creation and digital marketing across multiple platforms, particularly email and social media
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and extract actionable insights for campaign optimization
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative approach to working with diverse teams
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality assurance in all marketing initiatives
• Familiarity with volunteer management practices is a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe Creative Suite), and other design tools
• Strong writing, proofreading, and presentation skills, with the ability to craft compelling content for diverse audiences
• Sound judgment and strong customer service orientation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with higher education fundraising programs or nonprofit development teams
• Familiarity with digital asset management systems and best practices for maintaining content libraries
• Experience in volunteer engagement, particularly within alumni or donor-focused campaigns
• A passion for building meaningful connections with the alumni and donor community
• Familiarity with marketing automation tools and platforms, such as HubSpot or Salesforce Marketing Cloud
• Knowledge of donor stewardship practices and strategies for enhancing alumni and donor engagement
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new software and technology as needed
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and a passion for contributing to a positive organizational culture

Position Purpose

The Marketing Manager will support Dartmouth College Fund (DCF) fundraising efforts by assisting with direct response marketing campaigns and class communication initiatives across multiple channels (email, direct mail, social media, etc.) to drive donor engagement and contributions. Supports student-run initiatives such as ThankView and other on-campus stewardship programs and engagement activities. Acts as key liaison between the DCF and the Advancement Marketing & Engagement (M&E), and the Recognition & Stewardship (R&S) teams to facilitate class-specific communications and ensure smooth collaboration on email and direct mail campaigns. 

Key Accountabilities

Works closely with the M&E team to align fund-wide and class-specific email campaigns with DCF’s broader communication strategy, minimizing unsubscribes and fostering alumni and donor engagement. Collaborates in the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns across multiple channels (email, direct mail, social media, and texting), with a primary focus on email marketing, to drive donor engagement and contributions. Designs, tests, and implements complex, targeted, fund-wide email marketing campaigns using approved platforms such as HubSpot, ensuring optimal deliverability and engagement. Assists with the creation of social media strategies and content for Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram platforms in collaboration with M&E. Maintains a digital asset library, ensuring that key materials (images, banners, videos, etc.) are available for campaign use and stewardship communications. Provides secondary support in managing relationships with external vendors to ensure timely and effective execution of campaigns. Supports student-run initiatives such as “thank you” campaigns and other on-campus stewardship programs, including creating student vlogs and monthly engagement activities. 35%

Acts as a key liaison between the marketing team and DCF class managing directors (CMD) to facilitate class-specific communication and ensure smooth collaboration on email and direct mail campaigns. Supports CMDs by creating and maintaining a content library, providing them with the necessary assets (images, banners, talking points, brand guidelines) for campaign messaging and branding. Develops and maintains project timelines for marketing initiatives, ensuring that deadlines align with fundraising schedules and key deadlines. Coordinates with the DCF Marketing & Stewardship, M&E, student interns, and CMDs to establish project timelines, track progress, and adjust timelines as necessary to accommodate changes or new opportunities. Facilitates regular check-ins with stakeholders to ensure all parties are informed about project status, responsibilities, and upcoming deadlines. Assists with volunteer needs by providing promotional merchandise and addressing ad hoc requests for marketing collateral, ensuring CMDs can equip volunteers with the tools necessary to promote DCF fundraising efforts effectively. 40%

Utilizes Advancement data and reporting platforms to generate targeted lists for email and direct mail campaigns based on donor segmentation and campaign goals. Ensures the accuracy of donor data, tracking trends in engagement, giving patterns, and communication history to support future marketing strategies. Generates timely, insightful reports on donor activity, campaign performance, and fundraising trends, enabling data-driven decision-marking. Collaborates with the development team to optimize data reporting processes, ensuring alignment with overall fundraising objectives. 20%

Performs other duties as assigned to support the DCF team and marketing department. 5%

Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

1. Employment will be contingent upon possession of a valid U.S. or Canadian driver’s license and continued qualification as an Approved Driver under the Dartmouth College Driver Safety and Motor Vehicle Policy.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communications, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in direct response marketing, preferably in fundraising, higher education, or nonprofit sectors
• Strong understanding of database management, list segmentation, and Advancement data and reporting platforms (e.g., data warehouse, Advance, Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, HubSpot, etc.)
• Proven experience in content creation and digital marketing across multiple platforms, particularly email and social media
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and extract actionable insights for campaign optimization
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative approach to working with diverse teams
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality assurance in all marketing initiatives
• Familiarity with volunteer management practices is a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe Creative Suite), and other design tools
• Strong writing, proofreading, and presentation skills, with the ability to craft compelling content for diverse audiences
• Sound judgment and strong customer service orientation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with higher education fundraising programs or nonprofit development teams
• Familiarity with digital asset management systems and best practices for maintaining content libraries
• Experience in volunteer engagement, particularly within alumni or donor-focused campaigns
• A passion for building meaningful connections with the alumni and donor community
• Familiarity with marketing automation tools and platforms, such as HubSpot or Salesforce Marketing Cloud
• Knowledge of donor stewardship practices and strategies for enhancing alumni and donor engagement
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new software and technology as needed
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and a passion for contributing to a positive organizational culture