Blue State is hiring a
VP Direct Response

Summary

Join Blue State, a purpose-driven agency, as a seasoned leader and fundraising expert to help progressive causes achieve lasting change through high-performing programs and sustainable growth. You will manage a nonprofit client portfolio, lead cross-disciplinary teams, and design and implement direct response programs that drive results.

Requirements

• 10+ years experience in client services, digital marketing, direct mail, fundraising or a related area
• Deep knowledge of direct response fundraising is essential with experience leading online and offline programs and a proven track record of driving revenue
• Experience in selling and leading business development proposal and pitch processes
• Some technical experience or the necessary facility and willingness to learn, in order to be able to communicate clearly and accurately about Blue State’s products and capabilities
• Ability to adapt to new situations, think on your feet, and communicate with those around you. Teamwork and scrappiness required
• A people leader, experienced and dedicated to growing and mentoring teams, while being open to feedback and what you can learn from others
• Empathy, communication, respect, and the ability to act as a role model and set the standard at Blue State

Responsibilities

• Manage a significant portion of our nonprofit business, helping to set the direction for all aspects of direct response campaigns, spanning direct mail, email/SMS, and paid media
• Serve as a senior point of contact for a portfolio of clients, ensure that expectations are set and met, and leverage client satisfaction into future opportunities
• Lead a cross-discipline team of writers and designers, as well as, analysts, production managers and strategists to develop best-in-class direct mail and digital campaigns
• Ensure overall campaign quality, campaign timelines and accuracy of deliverables including multi-channel testing plans and campaign reports, as well as, production planning and scheduling, cost estimating, and delivery oversight
• Lead client and internal brainstorms, meetings and presentations, and program development workshops
• Provide technical, creative, and/or strategic oversight across all of our offerings and disciplines teams to ensure the highest quality work product. Ensure execution maps back to the strategy and recommend pivots and enhancements as needed
• Develop multi-channel strategies that address client objectives; develop tactics that further those strategies; and develop action-oriented planning and working documents and other communications that express those strategic and tactical ideas clearly and convincingly. Write and produce client-facing proposals and memoranda, presentations, strategic plans, and other materials, both independently and in collaboration with other Blue State employees and representatives
• Forge understanding and strong relationships with vendors and tools in the direct response space, recommending promising partners and innovations both to Blue State’s practices and our clients’ programs
• Craft and pitch new business as well as represent Blue State via event participation and other thought leadership
• Focus on the continued development of the Account Management craft at Blue State, with direct management of a portion of the Accounts Team; mentor staff across teams and levels

Benefits

• Unlimited time-off (inclusive of sick, personal, and vacation days)
• $1,000 annually in professional development funds
• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible and health savings accounts
• 401K & employer match
• Generous paid holiday schedule
• 12-week fully-paid parental leave for all parents-to-be
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Remote work flexibility