Marketing and Donor Relations Manager

Position Summary

The Marketing and Donor Relations Manager will help develop and implement marketing, fundraising and communications initiatives to achieve the strategic priorities of Mercy Ships Canada. The role coordinates the planning and execution of the marketing functions with the goal of growing the number of volunteer crew. The Marketing and Donor Relations Manager is accountable for increasing the impact the marketing efforts, in particular, its revenue-generating programs. The position reports to the Executive Director.

Success in the role requires close collaboration with staff, Mercy Ships international colleagues and vendors, and partners in a proactive manner that fosters an attitude of continuous learning and improvement. The individual will model professional behavior that motivates and encourage others to perform at their highest potential.

Mercy Ships provide free surgeries and medical training in Africa using hospital ships. Each year more than 1,200 volunteers from around the world join Mercy Ships to donate their time and skills. Mercy Ships has worked in more than 56 nations providing services and treatment to more than 2.68 million individuals. Mercy Ships follows the model of Jesus, seek to love and serve people in great need, be people of integrity, and be people of excellence in all that we say and do.

Mercy Ships Canada supports surgical and medical training projects that align with the global organization’s core values and goals. We also support our Canadian volunteers who donate their time and skills to the organization’s international work.

Accountabilities

Marketing Communications

In conjunction with the Executive Director, strategize the marketing goals and ensure successful achievement of annual objectives and quarterly milestone targets.
Coordinate the creation and implementation of the initiatives in annual, quarterly and monthly marketing calendar.
Contribute to the creation, implementation and monitoring of the right set of key performance indicators to assess and enhance performance.
Collaborate with internal team members, Mercy Ships global branding team, and external colleagues to ensure alignment in the execution of marketing and communications initiatives. Leverage the insights, success and resources of the Mercy Ships network of national offices and Global Branding for use in the English and French speaking Canadian markets.
Accountable for recommending the selection and use of all marketing and communications for creating, launching and managing owned and share media channels: website, social media and print.
Support the robust targeting of multi-media and cross-media publicity in mainstream, industry, trade and niche publications - online, in print and on-air.
Oversee and supervise the development and production of a wide range of marketing and communications material including securing and liaising with external vendors and staff.
Coordinate the optimization of Mercy Ships Canada’s owned and shared media channels to maximize audience engagement that supports organizational awareness and donor support.
Monitor and reports web analytics and key content metrics for awareness, cultivation and social media campaigns and web sites, reviewing feedback and statistics to meet existing and improvement goals.
Gather and analyze relevant data to evaluate and inform the marketing and communications plans of Mercy Ships Canada. Conduct market research and utilize professional development to be aware of the latest trends and developments in marketing fundraising and volunteer recruitment.
Contribute to writing, editing, and content development for annual reports, program materials, direct mail and social media campaigns, articles and newsletters and press releases.

Donor Relations

Lead the implementation of successful relational mass marketing, direct mail, social media, third-party fundraising (churches, civic organizations), event and other fundraising tactics with the context of the branding policies of Mercy Ship and the goal of increasing the donor base.
Proactively update content so all standard donor communications pieces, letters, and official donation receipts to ensure they are refreshed periodically and up-to-date.
Collaborate with the Executive Director on identifying and securing mid-level and major gift donors, corporate social responsibility initiatives and support from foundations and the stewarding of mid-level and major donors.
Provide administrative support to coordinate, prepare and monitor foundations outreach/grant applications in collaboration with the Executive Director and Director, Programs, Risk and Compliance.
Work together and consult with relevant program staff regarding goals, objectives and plans for securing new partnership to fund or contribute to annual program investments.
Assist the Mercy Ships Canada team in developing and writing proposals, reports and acknowledgements to current and potential funders, including developing clear, concise, and compelling content, copy-editing and reformatting of content.
Promote Mercy Ships Canada in a way that grows in third parties to generate greater engagement and donations.
Develop and implement best practices in donor stewardship, donor experience practices as well as recognition for international program funding.
Act as Development database super-user, taking courses and training as needed to produce with a high level of accuracy, analysis, and reports from the donor database CRM.

Core Competencies

Proven big picture, strategic and analytical thinking with the ability to coordinate an execute projects or campaigns on time and on budget.
Set goals, prioritize tasks and carry out responsibilities to achieve quality results.
Consistently collaborate with team members, sharing thoughts and differences openly.
Take action to avoid or solve problems and create opportunities for positive change.
Demonstrate respect, consideration, and acceptance of the opinions of others while expressing their expertise and effectively utilizing relevant resources and specialists and to ongoing personal and professional development.
Ability to negotiate commercial relationships and maintain confidential information.
Be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary.

Required Skills & Experience

Superior written and oral communications skills, with a flair for finding the tone, voice, image, and content to fit diverse audiences and reflect the mission, vision and values of Mercy Ships Canada. Experience using and/or knowledge of the StoryBrand approach to marketing is a strong asset.
A minimum of three years of progressive experience in fields related to marketing, communications and fundraising.
Excellent project coordination and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to deliver on quick turn-around requests and to structure and relay information clearly, creatively and sensitively to internal and external stakeholders.
Proven ability to identify, establish relations and foster relationships, close, and retain donors at the mid and major level.
Experience in the use of data analysis and CRM software. (Knowledge of Donor Perfect Online an asset).
Thorough knowledge of web analytics and Google Adwords, etc.
Proficient in programs such Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, database management, Adobe Creative Suite and web-based interfaces.
Interest in (or experience with) the use of Artificial Intelligence in marketing and/or fundraising is an asset.

Qualifications & Education

Strongly supportive of the mission, and vision of Mercy Ships, and a deep commitment to its core values and organizational culture.
High level of professionalism, motivation, and initiative. Superior ability to engage key stakeholders, prospects, donors.
A minimum of a Bachelor in Business Administration, Commerce, Marketing, and/or Communications, or relevant field. Equivalencies or professional certifications in the fundraising sector will be considered.
Fluent in English. Proficient in French through the completion of an immersion program (or equivalent) is considered a strong asset.
Clean criminal record check.

Working Conditions

The position offers the possibility of working remotely anywhere in Canada for an individual with experience working remotely. The role reports to the Executive Director who is based Victoria, British Columbia.
40-hour workweek: 8-hour shifts Monday to Friday with some flexibility to organize work schedule around the office hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (in the time zone where the person is located) after the completion of a probationary period.
Mercy Ships Canada working conditions are aligned with the relevant provincial Employment Standards Act.

The position offers the possibility of working remotely anywhere in Canada for a person with experience working remotely and opportunities for career advancement. Mercy Ships Canada is based Victoria, British Columbia.

If you are not sure that your experience and credentials fit 100 percent with this position, we encourage you to apply if you can clearly demonstrate how your transferable skills and education could be applied to the charity sector and how you might fit into our future.
How to Apply

Recruitment Timelines and Application Process

Open until filled with an initial closing date of September 17, 2021

Application Requirements: Covering letter and resume in a PDF format. To apply, please e-mail a copy of your CV and a cover letter to darryl@Mercyships.ca.

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.