The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

We have an excellent opportunity for a Fundraising Officer to join our Fundraising team. You will deliver campaigns and activities for the donor acquisition side of the Individual Giving team, successfully managing the donor acquisition activity in line with agreed annual targets and fundraising strategy. The post holder will work with the Senior Acquisition Officer and Acquisition Manager in the planning, delivery and evaluation of the acquisition of donors across all channels and propositions. They will have an integrated approach across the department to deliver the acquisition roadmap, continuously monitoring performance and making improvement recommendations.

About you:

• Experience of working with supporter or customer data in the context of planning and evaluating direct marketing activities.
• Experience of working in a fundraising acquisition environment across channels including DRTV, direct mail, digital and lead generation.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan and manage a variety of simultaneous projects and people to tight deadlines.
• Able to demonstrate excellent customer service skills; which includes successful experience of dealing with enquiries and complaints from supporters/members of the public.
• Competent in the use of Office.com and all associated apps.
• Experience of using Customer Relationship Management databases.
• Driven and motivated with an excellent attention to detail.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Responsible for the day-to-day management of fundraising campaigns where you will specialise in channels such as Direct Response Television Advertising, lead generation and fundraising on our visitor site, but are able to be deployed in other key channels as required.
• Manage the ongoing delivery of donor volume and income targets for a number of fundraising acquisition products including adoptions, lottery and regular giving.
• Input into and deliver the fundraising strategy within the Acquisition Team. Working with the team to deliver a lifetime value optimised approach.
• Assist the Senior Acquisition Officer and Acquisition Manager to develop testing timelines, strategic plans and quarterly reforecasts, flagging any issues or successes in a timely manner. Liaise closely with internal teams to project manage the effective delivery of fundraising targets (income and donors) across your specialist channels and any other channels or products as deemed necessary.
• Effectively manage campaign expenditure, ensuring that all campaign spending remains within budget.
• Utilise the insight delivered by the Insight Manager to enhance your fundraising acquisition programmes through audience insight, communication tools and channel approaches.
• Liaise effectively with key external agencies managing operational activity ensuring production timelines are met and targets hit, tests are in place and learnings utilised.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday.

The working pattern for this role will combine working on site and working from home under our guiding principles for such roles. There may be occasions when the post holder is requested to work at another location considered reasonable by the Charity.

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long service awards.

Healthshield plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Tuesday 4 March 2025.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.