Senior Acquisition Marketing Manager (Fixed term for 12 months - Maternity Cover)

International Rescue Committee, Inc.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent humanitarian organization based in the UK is looking for a Senior Acquisition Marketing Manager to lead fundraising initiatives and build a robust supporter base. The role involves managing a small team, driving strategy and execution of campaigns that respond to urgent humanitarian needs, and focusing on long-term sustainable growth. Ideal candidates will possess strong experience in fundraising, campaign management, and data analysis to make informed decisions. This position offers the opportunity to significantly impact the organization's revenue generation efforts and help those affected by crisis and disaster.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Professional development opportunities

Health and wellness benefits

Qualifications

• Proven track record in fundraising and acquisition strategy.
• Experience managing and developing a high-performing team.
• Strong analytical skills for data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the Acquisition strategy and programme.
• Manage multi-channel fundraising campaigns.
• Oversee the budgeting and planning process for acquisition.

Skills

Fundraising strategy development

Team leadership

Data analysis

Budget management

Campaign execution

Education

Degree in marketing, business, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Analytics tools

Job description

About the IRC

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change‑maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world‑wide for a better future. IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England. In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

Purpose of the Role

The Mass Market team’s mission is to inspire the UK public to financially support the IRC in order to help people impacted by conflict and disaster. The main purpose of this role is to support the Director, Mass Markets UK in generating long‑term sustainable growth, maximising net unrestricted revenue and developing a supporter‑centric fundraising model. As the Senior Acquisition Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and leading the Acquisition strategy and programme, supported by a team of two. You will be responsible for significantly growing the supporter base and meeting income targets by optimising our multi‑channel cash and regular giving programmes and expanding into new products, channels and audiences. You will respond to emergency appeals led by IRC, and as a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee, ensuring speed to market and maximum net revenue are prioritised at all times. You will be joining a team focused on excellence and growth, with significant opportunity to lead on change and drive impact.

Scope and Authority

The post holder will have the authority to make decisions regarding acquisition operations and to make decisions and recommendations regarding strategy and long‑term financial planning alongside the Director, Mass Markets UK. Responsibility for Resources: This position will manage and develop 3 team members, with plans to expand the team over the remaining years of the strategic plan. This position will also manage agency relationships and consultants. The post holder will be accountable for a substantial income and expenditure budget.

Key Working Relationships

• Internal:
  • Director, Mass Markets UK
  • Retention Marketing Manager
  • Mass Market Global Support (Digital and Offline Acquisition)
  • Data and Analytics
  • Corporate Finance and Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)
  • Gift Processing
  • Comms, Digital Engagement and Creative Studio teams
  • Mass Market equivalents in other markets (e.g., Sweden)
  • Marketing Technology, Systems & Platforms teams
• External:
  • Fundraising consultants, agencies, and other key suppliers

Key Accountabilities

• Strategy and programme development (50%) – In consultation with Director of Mass Markets, UK, lead on the development, implementation and monitoring of the UK Acquisition strategy and operational plan. Maintain and develop a monitoring and reporting framework for acquisition activity and associated KPIs that show the performance of the acquisition strategy. Oversee donor acquisition and revenue activities across cash, regular giving, lead generation, lottery and the mid‑level portfolio. Deliver emergency appeals both as IRC and as a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee, review and develop processes and collaborate with other departments and the DEC to ensure speed to market and maximum net revenue during activation. Continuously assess and improve our core business and work to diversify our channel and product mix, alongside exploration of audience profiles that enable us to reach new segments of the UK public with meaningful propositions and messaging. Be accountable for activity being produced on time, in budget and within departmental strategic objectives. Work closely with equivalent teams in other national markets (i.e., Germany, Sweden, US, South Korea) and central support teams to ensure all engagement is coordinated, and where appropriate, synchronised.
• Budgeting and planning (20%) – Oversee the acquisition planning and budgeting process, ensuring all activity and project work is aligned with UK Mass Markets strategic objectives, is created in conjunction with Retention priorities and is balanced against team and organisational resources. Propose investment/disinvestment where appropriate, and advise the Director of Mass Markets UK on additional long‑term and short‑term investment opportunities. Balance in‑year net income opportunities against multi‑year investments, ensuring plans balance new donor targets with revenue generation. Monitor the effectiveness of activities on an ongoing basis and take contingency action as appropriate to achieve monthly net income targets and return on investment. Oversee income and expenditure tracking and manage the reconciliation and monthly variance reporting, providing commentary to the Director, Mass Markets and FP&A colleagues on a regular basis.
• Leadership and management (10%) – Lead and develop the Acquisition team, ensuring performance objectives are managed throughout the year and opportunities for development and progression are identified and prioritised. Be an active part of the UK Mass Markets management team, modelling leadership behaviours and supporting the Director, Mass Markets UK in developing a team culture of high performance, continuous improvement and constructive feedback. Deputise for the Director, Mass Markets UK as and when required. Work closely with the Retention Marketing Manager to increase connection across Acquisition and Retention, with the ultimate aim of developing a seamless progression for new donors and prospects into further cultivation. Be the acquisition expert in cross‑market working groups and committees. Manage 3rd party supplier relationships and contracts, ensuring all work carried out is to a high standard and represents good value for money. Along with the Retention Marketing manager, lead the internal gambling operations committee and be the specialist in gambling legislation and best practice for prize‑led products. Forge excellent relationships across all areas of the IRC to identify opportunities for collaboration where appropriate. Network and build profile of the IRC‑UK Mass Markets team internally and externally, and champion fundraising within the organisation. Work closely with the creative studio to develop content that actively demonstrates our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion guidelines and is appropriate for the UK strategy and audience. Work with digital engagement and communications colleagues to maximise collaboration opportunities.
• Insight, analysis and data management (10%) – Ensure all activity and budgetary decision making is insight driven. Oversee detailed end‑of‑campaign reports to ensure all relevant information is documented and used to inform future activity. Work closely with the data teams and external agencies and services in order to gain a detailed understanding of IRC supporters, both behaviourally.