Vice President - Resource Development, Direct Response

Wounded Warrior Project; Washington; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Medical, dental, vision coverage for,

Competitive pay & incentives

Mission-focused environment

Job summary

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is seeking a Direct Response Vice President to drive revenue across direct mail, digital fundraising, and monthly giving with a focus on donor acquisition, retention, and optimization.

You will lead fundraising strategy, partner with Marketing and Donor Stewardship, and manage vendor relationships to maximize ROI while ensuring donor experiences are positive and aligned with organizational goals.

Qualifications

• Direct response fundraising, databases, data-driven marketing and optimization.
• Proven leadership experience with large teams and cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills with KPI focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead direct response strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, recognize, steward, and retain individual donors.
• Work with the Chief Development Officer to set and achieve ambitious fundraising goals for Direct Response.
• Develop revenue and expense projections for each direct response channel and present findings to leadership.
• Onboard and manage all direct response vendor partners for planning and executing campaigns across channels.
• Define and analyze KPIs for all direct response revenue channels.

Skills

Direct response fundraising

Data analytics

Team leadership

CRM systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business

MBA (preferred)

Job description

Great benefits. Competitive pay. We know these are some of the things people look for in a job.

If you’re the kind of person who believes that honoring and empowering our nation’s veterans is more than just a cause — that it’s a calling — then we’re ready to meet you.

When you join Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), you’re committing to making a difference. We make a commitment to you, too – helping you to find that spark, ignite your passion to serve, and embark on a career with meaning and purpose.

At WWP™, we recognize our mission cannot be accomplished without our talented teammates, which is why we’re proud to offer benefits such as:

• A flexible hybrid work schedule (three days in the office, two days’ work from home)
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for both teammates AND family members
• Competitive pay and performance incentives
• A fun, mission-focused, and collaborative team environment

A mission that matters is just the beginning, so if you’re ready to get started, we’re ready for you.

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Resource Development, Direct Response Vice President is responsible for fueling our mission by driving efforts to increase revenue through direct response fundraising channels, including direct mail, monthly giving, and digital fundraising. This position develops and executes strategies to drive revenue across all channels and ensures the continued growth of the direct response portfolio through prospecting, acquisition, stewardship, retention, and reactivation of individual donors. The Direct Response Vice President applies direct response fundraising best practices in direct mail, DRTV, face‑to‑face canvassing, digital fundraising, and social media channels by leading the team and vendor partners to implement campaigns that acquire new donors, maximize return on investment, and increase donor retention. Additionally, this role collaborates closely with peers in Business Development and Donor Stewardship, as well as Marketing and Communications, to ensure organizational alignment and facilitate the seamless journey of benefactors through the donor pipeline.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead direct response strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, recognize, steward, and retain individual donors, considering both short‑term and long‑term goals to align with the overall strategic plan.

• Work with the Chief Development Officer to set and achieve ambitious fundraising goals for Direct Response that will help guide WWP toward long‑term financial sustainability.

• Develop revenue and expense projections for each direct response revenue channel annually, compared to historical performance, and present findings to leadership. Re‑project revenue for each direct response channel quarterly during the fiscal year and provide a summary to leadership.

• Onboard, provide strategic direction to, and manage all direct response vendor partners utilized for planning and executing direct response campaigns for direct mail, digital fundraising, social media, and monthly giving marketing strategies—including DRTV and face‑to‑face fundraising.

• Deploy robust testing, segmentation, and optimization within direct response to maximize performance.

• Collaborate with all Resource Development teams to ensure alignment and optimal revenue generation.

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications on integrated campaigns. Provide strategic and implementation support for specific initiatives as necessary.

• Define and analyze key performance indicators for all direct response revenue channels.

• Represent the organization in public and private presentations.

• Manage vendor partner relationships in collaboration with Donor Experience, Donor Applications, and Finance & Accounting, ensuring alignment with Direct Response performance (e.g., caging facilities, digital donation forms, credit card processors, and customer relationship management systems).

• Recruit, retain, and develop all direct response teammates, guiding them to become a cross‑functional team.

• Serve as a thought leader and champion for direct response marketing best practices within the department and across the organization.

• Ensure optimal donor experience and performance using advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and machine learning to enhance overall marketing effectiveness across channels.

• Lead the analytical insights of donor lifecycle campaigns, donor behavior analysis, and the development and execution of significance testing, along with presenting campaign results and optimization opportunities.

• Act as a change agent, transforming donor behavior insights into measurable business results.

• Establish and enforce policies and procedures to improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the organization.

• Serve as a member of the WWP Executive Team, participating in all related meetings and activities.

• Attend and actively participate in required training and/or meetings, including but not limited to New Teammate Orientation, WWP Cares, ASIST Suicide Prevention training, Leadership training, culture/team based training, or departmental huddles.

• Other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Strong working understanding of direct response fundraising, databases, data modeling, data‑driven marketing, testing, and optimization techniques.

• Proven leadership experience with large groups, demonstrating a highly motivated, creative approach with the ability to inspire, coach, and guide teammates while fostering a strong team mentality.

• Flexible and adaptable leadership style, with the ability to positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.

• Ability to lead through vision and values, utilizing each as a daily guide for personal actions while translating them to teammates and organizational partners, connecting their responsibilities to the organization as a whole.

• Capable of working independently and as a team player while productively engaging with key stakeholders within and outside WWP.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritize, delegate responsibility, and ensure deadlines are met. Proven track record of managing multiple concurrent tasks and projects.

• Skilled at driving team and organizational performance goals, troubleshooting effectively, focusing on innovative solutions, and facilitating continued growth.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to monitor, compile, and analyze data to guide decision‑making and capitalize on opportunities.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage diverse personalities in a tactful, mature, and professional manner.

• Highly effective interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish, develop, and maintain relationships with individuals, groups, and organizations.

• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information in a diplomatic and empathetic manner, while maintaining a professional and resourceful approach.

• Proficiency in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office, (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, Project, PowerPoint).

• Ability to travel frequently.

• High energy level. Self‑starter; willing to take initiative.

• Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct.

• Mission‑driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.

EXPERIENCE

Requirements

• Ten years of experience in fundraising, sales management, or business development, with a responsibility of meeting or exceeding target goals.

• Six years of staff management experience.

Preferences

• Ten years of nonprofit fundraising management experience, including direct response responsibilities.

EDUCATION

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, or related field. Equivalent combination of applicable education, training, certification, and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Preferences

• Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), communication, or marketing.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE

Requirements

• Valid state‑issued driver’s license.

Preferences

• None.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• General office environment; temperature controlled.
• Sitting for extended periods.
• May require lifting/carrying items up to 20 pounds.
• Up to 50% travel.

We recognize the success of our mission depends on the efforts of our passionate, hard‑working teammates. To help teammates remain focused on the warriors and families we serve, WWP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes;

• Medical/Prescription drug, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Short‑term Disability, Long‑term Disability, and an Employee Assistance Program

• WWP also offers a 401(k)-retirement plan, a competitive PTO package, Sick Leave, Family Care Leave, Paid Holidays, Birthday Holiday, Education Assistance, Teammate Wellness Program and Bereavement Leave

For Chicago, IL, New York, NY, and Washington, D.C. Applicants: The estimated hiring range for this position begins at$200,000 annual base salary,subject to a candidate’s combination of experience, qualifications, and credentials. This position may also be eligible for an annual performance incentive.

Wounded Warrior Project® is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note:
Wounded Warrior Project is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms without a written search agreement in place. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Wounded Warrior Project via email, the Internet or directly to hiring managers at Wounded Warrior Project in any form without a valid written search agreement in place will be deemed the sole property of Wounded Warrior Project, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Wounded Warrior Project as a result of the referral or through other means.