Recruitment notice at Helen Keller International

Helen Keller International is hiring across multiple sectors!

Seize this outstanding opportunity to advance your career while making a lasting difference. Applications are welcome from both English- and French-speaking candidates.

Manager, Retention (New York, NY – hybrid schedule)

Inspired by the extraordinary legacy of our co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl works hand-in-hand with communities to break cycles of poverty. Through access to essential health care, proper nutrition, and clear vision, we empower millions of people worldwide to build better futures. Active in 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States—and supported by a global network of partners—we help ensure that every individual, like Helen herself, has the chance to reach their full potential.

The Manager, Retention is a newly created role designed to expand on our donor engagement success. This position will lead the development, testing, and evaluation of innovative strategies to retain and engage donors across multiple channels—including direct mail, email, SMS, and digital platforms. The goal: to strengthen donor relationships, increase lifetime value, and minimize attrition.

We are seeking a resourceful and entrepreneurial professional—someone eager to experiment, analyze results, and design new ways to connect with donors. The Manager will collaborate closely with the Core Donor and Mid-Level Donor teams to align retention best practices, while working with the Center for Branding and Marketing to leverage creative assets and continuously refine messaging.

Functional Relationships

The Manager, Retention reports to the Vice President of Individual Giving and collaborates closely with colleagues in direct mail, digital fundraising, content development, donor services, and data analytics. This role also works laterally across the Growth and Branding team, aligning efforts to advance shared objectives and strengthen engagement across donor segments.

The Growth and Branding team operates as an integrated unit, where the success of one area reinforces the work of the others. Open communication, collaboration, and a strong team spirit—both vertically and laterally—are essential for this structure to thrive.

Key Responsibilities

Retention Strategy & Execution

• Design, test, and implement multi-channel strategies to deepen donor relationships and improve renewal rates.
• Develop and oversee a comprehensive stewardship and re-engagement calendar across direct mail and digital platforms.
• Apply A/B testing, segmentation, and behavioral insights to refine timing, format, and messaging.
• Support cohesive donor journeys across all channels, ensuring a consistent and seamless experience.
• Partner with the Manager of Core Donor Communities to integrate direct mail with digital initiatives, aligning messaging and engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with the Center for Marketing and Branding to test creative approaches, audience segmentation, and messaging across channels, identifying scalable and cost-effective models.
• Build and maintain a data-driven retention communications calendar and campaign roadmap.
• Coordinate with internal teams to deliver integrated campaigns across offline and online channels.
• Monitor messaging effectiveness, sharing insights with Marketing and Branding colleagues to adapt and refine content for digital channels, including paid social, SEM, and other advertising platforms.

Data & Performance Analysis

• Track and evaluate campaign outcomes to inform segmentation and creative improvements.
• Partner with the analytics team to monitor key retention metrics, including donor lapse, renewal, and upgrade rates, and translate findings into actionable insights.
• Benchmark program performance against industry standards and internal goals for donor loyalty and lifetime value.
• Use donor lifecycle analysis to guide strategic priorities and focus on high-value segments.

Collaboration & Innovation

• Contribute to strategy sessions and planning discussions to advance a best-in-class donor retention program.
• Work with marketing, creative, and content teams to craft compelling, donor-centric messaging.
• Stay current on sector trends and innovations in donor retention, introducing new ideas and testing opportunities to enhance program effectiveness.

Qualifications

To thrive in this role and within our team, you should bring the following qualifications and qualities:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent nonprofit experience required.
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in individual giving fundraising, particularly at core donor levels ($100–$5,000), or a comparable mix of education and experience.
• Familiarity with direct mail fundraising and marketing is preferred.
• Prior experience in an international nonprofit organization is an asset.
• Strong command of English, both written and spoken.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to:
• Convey complex information clearly and consistently.
• Build effective, collaborative relationships across diverse teams and cultures.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with integrity and discretion.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and solution-focused mindset.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and perform effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong team orientation and willingness to contribute at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Google tools, and online research.
• Experience with fundraising CRMs—particularly Raiser’s Edge—or similar databases.
• Availability to work core hours aligned with U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
• Commitment to a hybrid work arrangement, with at least two days per week onsite at Helen Keller’s New York City office.
• Resilience under pressure, with the ability to remain balanced and solutions-oriented.

Compensation

The annualized midpoint salary for this full-time position is $102,000, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include health coverage, paid leave, retirement savings with employer match, and opportunities for professional development. Specific offerings may vary by country in line with local labor laws.

Fairness, Belonging, and Zero Tolerance for Abuse

As a member of the Helen Keller family, each employee is expected to:

• Contribute to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that values individuals with varied backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.
• Support fair and transparent evaluation and promotion processes based on skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, respectful, and secure environment for all colleagues, partners, and especially for the communities we serve.
• Uphold Helen Keller’s Code of Conduct, which prohibits all forms of abuse, including harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, and trafficking in persons.
• Embody and adhere to our Organizational Core Values in all professional interactions.

To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and résumé to Recruitment@hki.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Inspired by the remarkable vision and determination of our founder, Helen Keller, we are committed to fostering a workplace rooted in fairness, inclusion, and belonging.

Helen Keller Intl is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly uphold the principles of equity in employment and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or any other protected status.

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Officer, Donor Communications

Remote – Open to candidates based in any U.S. location where Helen Keller Intl is an established employer.

Inspired by the extraordinary legacy of our co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl works alongside communities to break the cycles of poverty that hold people back. By advancing good health, proper nutrition, and clear vision, we empower millions worldwide to build lasting change in their lives. Active in 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States—and supported by a global network of partners—we ensure that every person has the opportunity, as Helen did, to realize their full potential.

We are seeking a strategic and purpose-driven Officer, Donor Communications to create compelling content that strengthens donor relationships and drives support. This role will focus on transforming campaign messages and human-centered stories into engaging communications for donors—across email, direct mail, stewardship materials, and fundraising appeals. The successful candidate will be an exceptional storyteller and editor, with proven experience in donor engagement and in crafting multi-channel content that motivates action.

Key Relationships

The Officer, Donor Communications will be part of Helen Keller’s newly established Center for Marketing and Branding and will report to the Manager, Content Marketing. This role will work in close collaboration with the Individual Giving team as its primary partner, while also supporting business development and country program teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for donor communications, coordinating between internal stakeholders and the Center for Marketing and Branding.
• Collaborate closely with the Manager, Direct Mail, to develop content for direct mail appeals and donor acquisition campaigns.
• Craft persuasive and engaging donor-facing materials, including direct mail, email campaigns, stewardship communications, and case statements, to drive fundraising and donor retention.
• Support business development and institutional fundraising by producing donor-focused case statements, messaging frameworks, and other communication assets.
• Distill complex programmatic or technical information and transform story-driven content into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with donor audiences.
• Ensure all donor communications consistently reflect and reinforce Helen Keller’s brand, voice, and values across channels.
• Leverage best practices in fundraising communications and donor engagement to maximize the impact and effectiveness of content.
• Contribute to campaign and content planning, track performance metrics, and help refine donor messaging through ongoing analysis and improvements.

Qualifications

To thrive as part of our team, you will bring many of the following:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Experience: 4–6 years of professional experience writing for donor audiences within a fundraising team, preferably at an international organization.
• Writing & Storytelling: Outstanding writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a portfolio demonstrating the ability to produce persuasive, people-centered content for diverse donor groups. Prior experience with direct response fundraising (direct mail and email) is essential. Broad fundraising communications experience, supporting donors across giving levels, is strongly preferred.
• Engagement & Channels: Familiarity with donor engagement strategies across digital and print platforms.
• Collaboration & Management: Strong project management, teamwork, and relationship-building skills. Collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to remain composed under pressure.
• Flexibility: Willingness to adjust work hours to accommodate multiple time zones; core working hours are expected to align with U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
• Languages: Proficiency in French is an advantage.

Equity, Inclusion, and Safeguarding

As a member of the Helen Keller family, every employee is expected to:

• Contribute to a workplace that values and develops a multicultural team with diverse lived experiences and identities.
• Foster an environment where all colleagues feel respected, included, and supported.
• Support fair evaluation and advancement processes based on skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful workplace for all staff, partners, and especially the communities we serve.
• Uphold Helen Keller’s Code of Conduct, ensuring zero tolerance for all forms of abuse, including workplace harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, and trafficking in persons.
• Embody and act in alignment with the organization’s core values.

Compensation

The midpoint of the salary range for this full-time position is $85,000 annually. Helen Keller offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage, paid leave, retirement savings with an employer match, and opportunities for professional development. Specific benefits may vary by country in accordance with local regulations.

To Apply

Qualified applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and résumé to Recruitment@hki.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Inspired by the extraordinary vision and determination of our founder, Helen Keller Intl is committed to building a workplace rooted in fairness, inclusion, and belonging.

Helen Keller Intl is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to upholding the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants.