Executive Director, Partner Growth & Development

Description

The Executive Director, Partner Growth & Development is a senior leader within Kenneth Copeland Ministries (KCM) with direct ownership of the growth of KCM's partner (donor) base. Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer (CGO), this leader is accountable for the full partner acquisition and lifecycle funnel — generating new names, converting them into committed partners, deepening engagement, and reactivating those who have lapsed. The Partner Relations and Ministerial Relations teams report directly to this position, giving this leader end-to-end command of every partner touchpoint, from mass-market acquisition through the personal cultivation of key partners.

This is a donor development leadership role — not a B2B or agency marketing role. The ideal candidate has personally built and scaled a large individual-donor or membership base at a comparable organization — for example, World Vision, Compassion International, Samaritan’s Purse, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Feeding America, another large Christian-based nonprofit or ministry, or a similar direct-response/donor-development environment — and understands the distinct dynamics of donor psychology, direct-response fundraising, and long-term supporter relationships. Candidates whose background is primarily in B2B marketing, agency account management, or corporate/enterprise marketing will not be a fit for this role.

A strong understanding of, and alignment with, the Christian faith and Word of Faith teaching is essential.

Principal Responsibilities: 

• Design and execute multi-channel acquisition campaigns — digital, social, search, paid media, broadcast, direct mail, print, and email — to generate a consistent, growing flow of new partner leads.

• Set and own acquisition KPIs (cost per lead, cost per new partner, lead quality and conversion rate) and continuously optimize channel mix and spend to hit them.

• Evaluate and pursue new acquisition channels, platforms, and partnerships, bringing forward-looking recommendations on where to invest next.

• Own content strategy and the editorial calendar across every partner-facing channel — email, direct mail, digital, social, video, and print — treating content as a primary driver of both new-lead generation and ongoing partner engagement.

• Direct the development of content — written, video, and digital — tailored to each stage of the partner journey, from acquisition messaging through lifecycle nurture, retention, and reactivation.

• Set content priorities and performance standards, partnering with Creative Services for production and Communications for editorial execution, while owning the strategic direction and results of all partner-facing content.

• Ensure all content reflects KCM's brand voice and Word of Faith teaching accurately and consistently across every touchpoint.

• Build, manage, and optimize the full conversion funnel — from first touch to first gift to committed, active partnership.

• Own the end-to-end partner journey, ensuring every touchpoint and channel handoff is intentional, measured, and designed to convert.

• Continually analyze funnel performance to identify drop-off points and opportunities to improve conversion at every stage, using audience insight and behavioral data.

• Drive the full donor lifecycle — conversion, retention, and reactivation — through segmented, data-driven engagement campaigns.

• Establish and own KPIs for retention, reactivation rate, lifetime value, and average gift growth; hold the team accountable to results.

• Design and lead lapsed-partner reactivation strategy and win-back campaigns, applying segmentation and structured testing to maximize recovered giving.

• Partner with Business Intelligence/analytics to test, measure, and refine campaigns through disciplined A/B testing and attribution.

• Clearly differentiate strategy, cadence, and channel between mass-market partner campaigns — segmented, automated, data-driven — and the cultivation of key/major partners, who require personalized, relationship-based stewardship rather than at-scale messaging.

• Direct the Partner Relations and Ministerial Relations teams to deliver coordinated, high-touch engagement for key partners — personal outreach, dedicated relationship management, and ministry-level connection — distinct from the automated funnels used for the broader partner base.

• Establish a moves-management framework and clear criteria for identifying, escalating, and transitioning high-value partners from mass campaigns into personalized cultivation, and back into standard engagement as appropriate.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing organization spanning partner growth, Partner Relations, and Ministerial Relations, building a culture of accountability and measurable results across every partner touchpoint.

• Set clear performance expectations, individual goals, and team KPIs; coach team members to consistently deliver against them.

• Own departmental budget and resource allocation in coordination with the CGO, maximizing return on every dollar invested in acquisition, retention, and key partner cultivation.

• Partner closely with the CGO, delivering regular performance updates, funnel and lifecycle metrics, and strategic recommendations.

• Set strategic direction for content and messaging in partnership with Creative Services and Communications, who lead production and editorial execution against this role's priorities.

• Partner with Enterprise Operations on KCM's digital platforms, ensuring user experience and conversion architecture support growth objectives.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field required. Master's degree preferred.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in donor development, membership growth, or direct-response fundraising, with 5+ years in senior leadership managing teams and budgets.

• Required: proven track record personally building and scaling a large individual-donor or membership base at a comparable nonprofit/ministry organization (e.g., World Vision, Compassion International, Samaritan’s Purse, St. Jude, Feeding America, another large Christian-based nonprofit or ministry, or similar). This must be direct-to-consumer donor development experience — a B2B marketing background is not a fit for this role.

• Demonstrated success driving the full donor lifecycle — acquisition, conversion, retention, and reactivation — with measurable results in revenue, retention rate, and lifetime value.

• Demonstrated success building and optimizing multi-channel lead-generation campaigns and converting new names through structured acquisition funnels.

• Experience leading both at-scale, data-driven partner communications and personalized major-donor/key-partner relationship management, with a clear understanding of when and how each approach applies.

• Experience directing content strategy and development (video, written, digital) as a core driver of lead generation and partner engagement, not merely brand/creative support.

• Strong data literacy; fluent in analytics, attribution, cohort/LTV modeling, and performance reporting to executive leadership.

• Proficient with CRM, marketing automation, and project management tools (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud, HubSpot, Asana, Monday.com).

• Proven record of leading high-performing teams that deliver measurable results against defined KPIs.

• Strong alignment with Christian values; faith-based/ministry environment experience strongly preferred.

• Servant-leadership mindset with executive presence; initiative-taking, resourceful, and results-oriented.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED:

• Computer, LMS platforms, content authoring software, standard office equipment.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to sit for extended periods and use a computer and other office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Office work environment.

OTHER:

• Born again believer; must adhere to KCM’s doctrines as upheld by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland and their appointed representatives.
• Must work well with others as a team and, according to Romans 16:17, must not cause dissension, difficulties, or divisions.
• Must maintain a good attendance record.
• Requires diplomacy, maturity, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with people of all cultures.
• Requires ministerial license.