Direct Marketing Manager

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is a faith-based humanitarian relief and development organisation working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.  Established in 1984, with an active presence in over 45 countries, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for those affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters. IRUK’s focus is strengthening effective funding, mobilising for change through advocacy and awareness-raising, and strengthening programme development and delivery. IRUK works with various partners and institutions, from governments, non-governmental organisations and local authorities to grassroots communities.

Islamic Relief UK (IRUK) is actively recruiting for the position of ‘Direct Marketing Manager’ to be based from its Waterloo Office, London. The organisation is currently operating to a hybrid working model.

The Direct Marketing Manager has operational and strategic responsibility in developing and implementing the Islamic Relief UK direct marketing programme. This includes the following key direct marketing channels: Email, SMS, Direct Mail, OOH and DRTV. The postholder will ensure the delivery of cross-channel, high profile and impactful marketing campaigns that drive action and improve supporter retention.

Knowledge, skills and attributes required:

• Educated to Degree level, or equivalent standard
• Professional qualification in Marketing
• Ability to communicate technical information and requirements to non-technical management and internal stakeholders
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite
• Commercially aware with good understanding of budget management and ROI
• An aptitude to plan annually, multiple campaigns and activities 
• An understanding of marketing and other current marketing trends
• An ability to manage multiple projects
• An understanding of marketing strategy, marketing techniques, and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research techniques 
• Proven record of excellent people and interpersonal skills with strong communication skills at individual and group levels.
• Excellent project management skills, ability to set goals and manage appropriate activity  to achieve them
• Ability to drive creative development and ideas
• Excellent analytical skills with the proven ability to manipulate and interpret information
• Ability to influence and persuade at various levels across the organisation
• Ability to review and evaluate marketing communication activities and identify opportunities for improvements
• Extensive knowledge of marketing principles and techniques – both traditional and digital
• Knowledge of branding and marketing in the INGO sector
• Extensive working knowledge of email marketing platforms

Experience required:

• Production of core marketing collateral including print, digital and audio-visual resources
• Management of integrated campaigns across all direct marketing channels
• Experience of audience profiling and segmentation
• Implementing successful customer/donor journeys across all direct marketing channels
• Raising funds/generating profit across all direct marketing channels
• Demonstrable experience of using email marketing platforms to develop customer journeys, raise funds and drive engagement with customers/donors
• Third sector experience, specifically within a marketing led role
• Experience of influencing and managing a wide range of stakeholders in a complex organisation
• Practical experience of successfully managing marketing budgets, evaluation and monitoring systems
• Proven experience in planning and project management, with the skills to engage colleagues and support at all levels
• Experience of building, developing and managing strategic partnerships with business suppliers (including creative and buying agencies), ensuring development of clear briefs, value-for-money, achievement of results, compliance and commitment to an organisations values and goals  
• Experience of working with data management/analysis teams  
• Experience of delivering with set budgets and using resources effectively to successfully balance creative aspirations with limited financial and other resources
• A track record of developing innovative marketing campaigns across all media and platforms 

For more information, please click on the Documents tab above to view the full Job Description.

If you are talented, reliable, service-minded, resilient and a highly motivated professional looking for a meaningful career, with a strong commitment to IRW’s mission and values of sincerity, excellence, compassion, social justice and custodianship, please apply by completing our online application form.

For more information on the excellent company benefits we offer our employees, please visit: 

https://www.islamic-relief.org/work-with-us/what-we-offer/

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews are expected to take place in mid-July 2025.

Pre-employment Checks:

Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:

• screening clearance
• proof of eligibility to live and work within the UK
• receipt of satisfactory references

Please note, for UK-based roles, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to progress applications which would require sponsorship.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer