At The Obama Foundation, our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.  We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change in the communities where they live, work, and play. Right here on the South Side of Chicago, we’re building a home for this vision, a global center for change with a range of opportunities - coordinated programming, community outreach events, educational moments, and more - that invite visitors from down the block or across the globe to turn hope into action.

Achieving our ambitious goals starts with an exceptional team built on our Hope to Action Values - Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope. A Framework that anyone, anywhere, can use to build trust, activate participation, and expand opportunity in their community.

Purpose of the Role

As a key member of the Direct Response Team, the Senior Associate, Direct Response supports the centralized functions and the ambitious growth goals of the Obama Foundation’s direct response fundraising program. You will support the team’s use of a data-driven approach to significantly grow the foundation's long-term net revenue through multiple direct-response techniques and programs, including direct mail, digital fundraising, face-to-face fundraising, mid-level giving, and workplace giving. The Senior Associate plays a core role within the Direct Response program, coordinating with vendors and internal stakeholders on campaign timelines, approval, and execution, managing state compliance and data records, and ensuring a timely and exceptional donor experience. This individual will be comfortable with project management, internal and external relationship management, possess strong organizational skills, and be able to communicate effectively across departments to achieve program goals.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Support and facilitate project management in coordination with direct response vendors and internal and principal stakeholders for ambitious direct response program goals, including the monthly execution of feedback and approvals for design, copy, and data for the following programs:

  • Mail

  • Digital (email and ads program)

  • Telemarketing

  • Mid-level stewardship

  • SMS

  • Canvassing Face-to-Face

  • Other tests as planned

• Create and maintain accurate records of direct response campaigns, marketing efforts, donor preferences and solicit codes in the database and across integrated platforms. 

• In collaboration with the Development Operations and data team, manage the submission of data requests and ensure timely and accurate processing of direct response gifts through various integrations and partner processes.

• In collaboration with Central Development, facilitate communication and knowledge sharing across verticals and sub-teams within Development and other key departments at the Foundation.

• Coordinate the development and updating of an annual direct response calendar detailed by channel and audience. 

• Develop compelling written content that effectively integrates messaging/communications of program areas across direct response platforms ( mail, online, video, mobile, social, TV etc.), coordinating closely with leaders of other teams. 

• Coordinate and lead direct-response introductory information sessions to support the onboarding of new fundraising colleagues.

• Oversee and provide an exceptional donor experience through effective communication and partnerships across internal and external stakeholders.

• Partner closely with the Donor Relations team to deliver a holistic, strategic donor experience by providing timely stewardship of gifts from the direct response program.

• Ensure integration and coordination of membership data in collaboration with the larger Direct Response and Development Operations team, developing systems for member ID tracking and implementation across all channels and platforms. 

Required Qualifications 

• Demonstrated experience in project management, direct response fundraising, annual giving, or non-profit marketing.

• Superb written, verbal, and visual communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with donors, vendors, and teammates. 

• Exceptional organization and planning skills with a strong attention to detail and the ability to solve problems in a fast-paced environment.

• Proven ability to build effective relationships at all levels of the organization and across teams; builds trust quickly.

• Proven ability to set and maintain a high level of customer service; anticipate needs, take initiative, be resourceful, and a problem solver.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.

The salary range for this role is between $79,040 and $98,800.

This is a remote role based in Chicago.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at careers@obama.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.