What’s In A Job Title?
We all know that job titles can be either very misleading, sometimes actually disguising — and often overstating — what the person really does with their time (‘Chief Executive’, for example), or on the other hand, helpfully precise (e.g., Production Manager, Direct Mail).
To get a sense of the range of people who are reading The Agitator, I pay attention to the titles of the party faithful who communicate with us.
Typical titles include:
- Director of Development
- Director of Planned Giving
- Corporate Parterships Manager
- Membership Director
- VP Communications
- Copywriter
- Director of Direct Response Fundraising
- Major Gifts Officer
- List Manager
- Manager for Online Giving
- Account Manager
- Grants Manager
All pretty much to be expected. These titles reflect the conventional core work of fundraising and related marketing.
And more lately: Social Media Manager.
But yesterday I was especially thrilled to get a message from a first ever ‘Donor Loyalty and Retention Manager’ … WOW!
I immediately cabled Roger, who was busily typing his latest retention rant, and made his day as well, giving him renewed purpose.
The distinction of holding this title goes to Berit Kimrey at Heifer International.
We’ve always known the Heifer International folks to be superb fundraisers, so while not totally surprised, Roger and I are delighted nonetheless to see the official organisational priority denoted by Berit’s splendid job title. We hope Berit has a broad mandate to build donor commitment. Today ‘manager’, tomorrow ‘executive VP’.
What this says to us … Heifer International ‘gets it’!
And we wonder … are there many other Agitator readers out in nonprofitland with ‘retention’ in their title? Let us hear from you. We’re starting an honour roll.
Tom
P.S. OK, if ‘retention’ isn’t in your title, we’ll still include you in our honour roll if your job KPIs include a clear and significant reference to improving donor retention.
5 responses to “What’s In A Job Title?”
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It doesn’t have retention in the title, but here in the wonderful world of Bluefrog, my colleague’s title is ‘Head of Donor Engagement’. I’ve had to nag him to stop saying it in a funny voice when he introduces himself in meetings, I think he’s a bit shy because it’s not a recognisable title…
No retention in my title, but as Chief Idea Goddess at Good Works, I’d like to say that Berit’s job title is, indeed, a fantastic idea!
I’ve been in field for 25 years and worked for three different non-profits. I’ve held the titles “Dev Dir”, “Exec Dir” and “Dev & Marketing” – all of then catch-all titles meaning, in a small shop of 1-2 FTE staffers, you must do it ALL. One time my job was narrowed to one thing, a capital campaign, and for one full year I focused solely that. The ability to focus was a slice of heaven in my career, and I did not take one single moment for granted, knowing full well that as soon as the active phase of the campaign was over, I’d be back to being spread as thin as a pancake. I hope those people whose jobs reflect a narrow focus realize what a privilege that is! The need to become the experts at what they do, and share the learning with those of us who do it all, but may not be experts at anything…
There’s a new CEO title in healthcare-Chief Experience Officer, which is responsible for providing WOW patient experiences, which greatly enhances the patient’s desire to become a donor!
Affirming what Terri Gadzinski notes above: being able to step back and actually focus is a privilege indeed. And the original title I proposed was Girl Friday Extraordinaire.
Titles are only as good as the donors and mission they represent. Without 360° focus on donor loyalty, strategic communication plans and lastly, retention (yes, Roger- I hear your beating drum), marketing programs (both for and non-profit) will deliver subpar experiences from the most valuable perspective: the donor’s perspective. Without their commitment, their fiscal support and their respect- we’re all just talking to ourselves. And where I come from, that’s just a sign of crazy.
Thanks so much for making this FANGIRL’s day with a mention in the Agitator.