Head of Donor Development

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. As a partner section, MSF Italy is engaged in saving lives and alleviating suffering through fundraising; communication and advocacy, recruitment and deployment of field workers; as well as running operations in Italy and supporting international operations through expertise and other kinds of direct support.

The Donor Development Unit aims to maximize the value of each donor’s contribution over their lifetime using the main direct marketing channels and through optimal donor relationship management. The Head of Donor Development is responsible for defining the strategy to maximize the contribution of every individual donor in the MSF Italy database.

• Identifies the loyalty and development strategy for individual donors (one-off, middle, regular, and bequest donors) with the goal of increasing their Lifetime Value. Outlines diversified, robust, and flexible multi-year scenarios, proposing the annual and multi-year investment plan, monitoring its progress, and identifying any corrective actions.
• Defines the best integration of techniques and tools to reduce attrition and increase annual giving with the best ROI for each segment.
• Ensures constant and personalized communication for all donor segments—especially those with higher value (bequestors, middle donors, regular middle donors)—through excellent inbound and outbound contact experiences.
• Coordinates the integrated work of the team and the integration of all activities necessary to achieve the annual objectives.
• Identifies innovation opportunities, both in terms of efficiency (cost improvement) and in the quality of the relationship between MSF and donors (income increase).
• Oversees the Direct Mailing program, defines its strategic direction and approves implementation plans, monitors activities, and identifies corrective actions to ensure objectives are met and existing KPIs are continuously improved.
• Oversees the Direct E-mailing program and other digital contact tools, defines strategic direction, approves implementation plans, monitors activities, and identifies corrective actions to ensure objectives are met and KPIs are continuously improved.
• Oversees the Telemarketing and Donor Care program, defines strategic direction, approves implementation plans, monitors activities, and identifies corrective actions to ensure objectives are met and KPIs are continuously improved.
• Actively contributes to cross-functional platforms within the organization to which they are assigned (strategic platform, CORF, COM-CORF, MM, etc.) both within MSF Italy and in the global movement (CoP, etc.).

Essential:

• At least 3 years of previous experience in managing and coordinating a team
• Excellent knowledge of fundraising and marketing techniques and strategies
• At least 3 years of previous experience in managing fundraising budgets

• At least 3 years of experience as Fundraising Manager in a non-profit organization

• Good knowledge of marketing analysis
• Good knowledge of the English language (C1 level)
• Good knowledge of the Microsoft Office package
• Behavioral flexibility
• Emotional and stress management
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Result- and quality-orientation
• Planning and organization
• Initiative and innovation
• Strong negotiation skills

Desirable: 

• Degree in Marketing or Communication
• Master’s degree in Fundraising
• Knowledge of Italian
• Experience as a Loyalty Manager in a non-profit organization

Conditions

Contract: Temporary 6-month contract from September 2025 to maximum March 2026, full-time. Level Quadro of Italian CCNL of Commerce (for Italian residents). 

Gross Monthly Salary (for italian residents): min 3.088€ - max 3.700€ (depending on experience of the selected candidate)

Starting date: Mid September 2025

Location: Hybrid, based in any MSF office located in time zones within ±2 hours

of Italy, with possibility to work from home.

Terms & Conditions: The successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application. MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract. In case of relocation, support to/from Italy (for candidates based outside the country) which includes: Contribution for Accommodation up to 400 Eur/month + Return air ticket from country of origin.