About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission. Job Summary:
You are a seasoned, strategic, and ambitious direct response fundraising professional who loves our mission and is eager to lead and grow our Annual Fund, comprised of donors who contribute up to $25,000 annually.
Building on our current base of 20,000 donors and $6 million in annual revenue, you have an exciting opportunity to significantly expand one of WCS’s most important revenue streams by creating and executing a robust multi-channel strategy to acquire, retain, and upgrade donors—inspiring gifts from a larger group of long-term, mission-aligned supporters. As a leader in WCS’s Global Resources team, you will oversee a small internal team and external agency partners across creative, digital, data, and direct response functions.
If you are an innovative, hands-on strategist, a strong manager, and a mission-driven fundraiser who thrives in large complex, organizations and fast-paced, collaborative fundraising departments, we’d like to meet you.
Major Responsibilities:
Strategic Planning & Execution
• Develop and lead a multi-year fundraising strategy to:- Grow sustainable unrestricted revenue.
- Expand the donor base through acquisition and improved retention
- Serve as a pipeline for Major Gifts and Planned Giving
• Regularly assess and optimize strategy based on performance data and donor behavior.
Channel & Campaign Management
• Oversee the execution of integrated fundraising campaigns across direct mail, email, digital, SMS, and emerging channels.
• Oversee the Midlevel program within Annual Fund: determine upgrade and stewardship strategies to grow the Midlevel donor portfolio
• Design and implement testing strategies to explore new audiences, channels, and content.
• Leverage WCS’s unique assets—including zoo attendance and media partnerships—to broaden reach and build donor engagement.
Team & Vendor Oversight
• Manage and mentor a small internal team.
• Lead and continuously assess relationships with external agencies, ensuring excellence in creative development, data strategy, campaign execution, and performance analysis.
Creative & Messaging Strategy
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop compelling messaging that communicates WCS’s conservation impact and inspires donor action.
• Align direct response communications with organizational priorities and broader marketing efforts.
• Develop strategies for personalized interactions with mid-level donors, including coaching staff and occasionally communicating with donors directly.
Analytics & Reporting
• Establish KPIs and produce regular reporting that evaluates donor acquisition, retention, ROI, and lifetime value.
• Use data insights to inform strategy and continually improve results Internal Qualification RequirementsJob Qualifications:
• Minimum 10 years of experience leading multi-channel direct response fundraising programs, with a track record of donor growth and revenue generation.
• Proven ability to build and scale a donor file through both acquisition and retention strategies.
• Experience managing internal staff and external vendors across creative, digital, and data services.
• Strong analytical skills and fluency in campaign metrics, donor segmentation, and ROI analysis.
• Demonstrated success in developing content and messaging that drives donor engagement and revenue.
• Ability to collaborate across departments—particularly with Major Gifts, Communications, Membership, and Events—to maximize donor experience and fundraising results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation and storytelling capabilities.
• Commitment to WCS’s mission and values.
Physical Demands
The physical demands include but are not limited to the use of a Keyboard, 10-key, Mouse, and Telephone Use, Handwriting, Sitting, Standing, Crouching, Kneeling, Bending, Walking, Stair Climbing, and Lifting up to 10lbs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Disclaimer
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging in a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and looking for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities. The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.
Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.