โ mission and believe a better world is possible.
The Position
The primary focus of the Director of Strategy (DoS) is to lead the strategy of scaling Mercy Corps special fundraising initiatives. These initiatives include Planned Giving, Donor Advised Funds/Wealth Management growth and the Womenโs Philanthropy Group. The DoS will be skilled in implementing growth strategies to accelerate the fundraising ROI of these and other initiatives, as assigned. Each of these initiatives is focused on principal giving efforts (gifts of $100k+) and the DoS should be comfortable working with ultra-high net worth donors and prospects.
The DoS will manage a small team overseeing each of these initiatives with ambitious goals to significantly scale in the coming years. The DoS will collaborate with Mercy Corps executive and board leadership as well as colleagues at all levels of the organization, with the dual aim of deepening their own understanding of Mercy Corpsโ distinctive approach to humanitarian aid and development and to leverage internal partnerships to strengthen fundraising offerings. The position calls for a high level of social acumen and the ability to move comfortably within the realm of high-net-worth individuals.
Essential Responsibilities
STRATEGY AND VISION
- In partnership with each special initiative lead, develop strategies for continued and scaled fundraising growth at the six and seven figure level.
- Work across development and organizational teams to integrate the special initiatives into other teamโs strategies.
- Work closely with VP of HIP to align special initiative (SI) strategies with overall HIP growth strategies.
- Set quarterly and annual KPIs for each SI team member to ensure progress toward growth goals.
- Assist in the development of strategies to heighten the profile of Mercy Corps among target constituencies.
- Coach and inspire direct reports to think bigger and bolder in developing their goals.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
- Develop working relationships with program staff in order to identify funding opportunities and access programmatic information that can be used to engage and steward donors.
- Stay informed of key issues and trends in the international aid and development community as well as fundraising best practices.
- Lead on development of program visits (virtual and in person) and donor engagement events for the Special Initiatives.
INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION
- Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with groups engaging HNWI and their philanthropic decision-making.
- Identify opportunities to represent Mercy Corps on various panels and events.
Supervisory Responsibility
Director of Partnerships โ DAF, Director of Womenโs Philanthropy Group, Senior Planned Giving Officer.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Vice President, High Impact Philanthropy
Works Directly With: All members of the HIP team, Corporate and Foundation team and the CDO
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills
- Experience operating within a high-level major gift fundraising team, including at least seven years of direct frontline fundraising; or equivalent experience in business development with a social impact-oriented company.
- Three to five years of experience in direct supervision of team members.
- Strategic and forward thinking, with the ability to develop and lead a major gifts strategy.
- Proven track record of testing and scaling new fundraising strategies.
- Strong experience in collaboration and ability to work with people with diverse opinions to develop program proposals and other donor impact opportunities.
- Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail and to process.
- Diligent, highly organized and results focused.
- Excellent communication skills โ both written and oral, including public speaking.
- Outstanding people skills โ empathetic and humble, as well as persuasive and confident.
- Must be able to work independently as well as in collaboration with team.
- Demonstrated success in proposal preparation, and solicitation of donors (or equivalent experience with private sector clients and/or investors), or transferable skills from program work in an INGO setting.
- A valid driverโs license, ability, and willingness to travel as required.
Success Factors
The successful candidate will have the ability to develop personal relationships with a variety of people in a variety of contexts. They will be able to secure and increase contributions from major donors and prospects and represent both the programs and heart of Mercy Corps to external audiences. The Director will set a leadership example to other front-line fundraising members of the team by maintaining focus on donors and prospects and the various goals (number of visits, number of solicitations etc.) that are set for each fundraiser.
Environmental Conditions
The position is preferably based from Mercy Corps Portland, Oregon office โ US remote location possible.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the worldโs most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.
Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.
Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based EmployeesMercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status. This policy is necessary to ensure not only the safety of our workforce, but the ongoing functionality of the organization.
This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.
For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.