Donations Growth Specialist - Drives

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Donations Growth Specialist - Drives

🔹 Company: America’s Thrift Stores

🔹 Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Retail, Non-profit

🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving engagement with various groups to participate in donation drives
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with current and prospective partners
• Creating and implementing strategic plans to increase the number of donation drives
• Overseeing event coordination and performance tracking
• Promoting the environmental benefits of participating in the donation drive program

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high degree of self-motivation, strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for environmental sustainability and community service.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Actively seek out and engage with various groups and organizations to participate in our donation drive program

✅ Develop and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective partners, including our charity partners

✅ Create and implement strategic plans to increase the number of donation drives, aiming to increase donations by 1.5 million pounds annually

✅ Collaborate with the marketing team to promote donation drives through various channels

✅ Oversee and coordinate all aspects of the donation drive events, ensuring they run smoothly and effectively collect donations

✅ Monitor and track the success of donation drives, including pounds collected and funds raised for both groups and charity partners

✅ Promote the environmental benefits of participating in the donation drive program, highlighting the importance of giving clothing a second chance and reducing landfill waste

✅ Regularly communicate with all stakeholders, including participating groups, charity partners, and internal teams, to ensure alignment and maximize the impact of each donation drive

ASSUMPTION: This role may require occasional weekend, evening, and holiday hours as needed to support donation drives and meet with partners.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Environmental Studies, Nonprofit Management, or a related field

Experience: Proven experience in fundraising, sales, marketing, or a related field, with a track record of meeting or exceeding targets

Required Skills:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational, time management, and event planning skills
• Ability to analyze data and use insights to drive decision-making
• Willingness to travel as needed to support donation drives and meet with partners
• Valid Class D Driver’s License and Clean MVR
• Self-motivation with a high degree of personal integrity and honesty

Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in Spanish

ASSUMPTION: While not required, fluency in Spanish may be beneficial for engaging with a broader range of groups and organizations in certain areas.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $40,000 - $50,000 per year (based on experience and performance)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
• Employee discounts on store purchases

Working Hours: Full-time, with occasional weekend, evening, and holiday hours as needed

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. Actual compensation may vary based on performance and company discretion.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail, with a focus on thrift stores and community service

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, providing over 1,000 jobs in the communities they serve

Founded: 1984, with headquarters in Irondale, Alabama

Company Description:

• America’s Thrift Stores is a for-profit thrift store operating in the southeastern US
• They operate retail stores in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana
• They contribute a portion of their profits to six different charity partners, aiming to donate $100 million in 10 years

Company Specialties:

• Retail
• Thrift
• Consignment
• Charity
• Furniture
• Used Furniture
• Ministry
• Used Clothing
• Electronics
• Recycling

Company Website: http://www.americasthrift.com

ASSUMPTION: America’s Thrift Stores is committed to providing affordable clothing, shoes, homewares, and more to the community while giving back to various charities and reducing landfill waste.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Donations Growth and Development

Work Arrangement: Full-time, with occasional travel required to support donation drives and meet with partners

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement within the Donations Growth and Development department
• Expansion into other areas of the business, such as store management or corporate roles
• Opportunities to make a significant impact on the company’s mission and community involvement

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to grow professionally while making a positive impact on the environment and local communities.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Retail store environment, with a focus on community engagement and event coordination

Office Location(s): 248 Northgate Mall Dr, Suite 122, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37343

Geographic Context:

• Chattanooga is located in southeastern Tennessee, near the border with Georgia
• The city offers a mix of urban and outdoor activities, with a low cost of living compared to other major metropolitan areas
• Chattanooga is home to a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and technology

Work Schedule: Full-time, with occasional weekend, evening, and holiday hours as needed

ASSUMPTION: The Chattanooga location offers a unique blend of urban and outdoor living, with a strong sense of community and a focus on sustainability.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and a member of the HR team
• Background check and reference check
• Job offer and onboarding

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Organizational and time management skills
• Event planning and coordination skills
• Data analysis and strategic planning skills
• Alignment with company values and mission

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Be prepared to discuss your passion for environmental sustainability and community service
• Research America’s Thrift Stores and their charity partners to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its mission

ATS Keywords: Donation drives, fundraising, sales, marketing, community engagement, event coordination, environmental sustainability, charity partners, strategic planning, data analysis

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may take several weeks, depending on the volume of applicants and the hiring team’s availability.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, Zoho CRM)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau)
• Event planning and management software (e.g., Eventbrite, Cvent)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is not required but may be beneficial for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Community-focused
• Sustainable
• Passionate
• Inclusive
• Collaborative

Work Style:

• Self-motivated and driven
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Adaptable and flexible, with a willingness to travel as needed

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a passion for environmental sustainability and community service?
• Are you comfortable working independently and in a team environment?
• Do you have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and motivate a wide range of stakeholders?
• Are you adaptable and flexible, with a willingness to travel as needed?

ASSUMPTION: America’s Thrift Stores values employees who are passionate, community-focused, and committed to their mission of reducing landfill waste and giving back to local communities.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Occasional weekend, evening, and holiday hours as needed to support donation drives and meet with partners
• Travel requirements may be extensive, with up to 75% of the work week spent traveling
• Working in a fast-paced, retail environment with a focus on community engagement and event coordination
• Meeting or exceeding annual donation growth targets of 1.5 million pounds

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, effective time management, and a commitment to the company’s mission and values.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on driving engagement with various groups and organizations to participate in donation drives
• Similar roles may include fundraising coordinators, event planners, or community engagement specialists, but this role is distinct in its emphasis on environmental sustainability and community service
• Career paths in this role may include advancement within the Donations Growth and Development department or expansion into other areas of the business, such as store management or corporate roles

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the company’s mission and community involvement while growing professionally.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic plan to increase donation drives by 1.5 million pounds annually
• Coordinating and overseeing a large-scale donation drive event, including logistics, promotion, and stakeholder communication
• Analyzing data on donation drive performance and using insights to inform future strategies and improve the program

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects highlight the key responsibilities and required skills for success in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does this role contribute to the company’s mission and community involvement?
• What opportunities are there for growth and development within the Donations Growth and Development department or the company as a whole?
• How does the company support work-life balance for employees, particularly those with travel requirements?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the company’s mission and culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for phone or video screen and in-person or virtual interviews, focusing on your communication and interpersonal skills, organizational and time management skills, event planning and coordination skills, data analysis and strategic planning skills, and alignment with company values and mission
• Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
• If selected for the position, complete the background check and reference check process
• If offered the position, review and sign the offer letter, and begin the onboarding process

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.