Deputy Director – High Impact Philanthropy

Location PCNW – Seattle or Portland preferred

Position Status Full Time, Regular, Ongoing

Minimum Starting Salary: $76,000 commensurate with experience

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program / Department / Team

The mission of the Resource Development (RD) department is to advance the organization’s strategic goals and support our worldwide team by raising flexible funds, profile, and influence. The RD team encompasses several dozen dynamic professionals who possess a wide range of skills. We are gift officers, direct response fundraisers, web developers, marketers, and media relations strategists. We are database managers, digital specialists, creative designers, storytellers, and teachers. Most of all, we are passionate about Mercy Corps’ mission and believe a better world is possible.

The Position

The primary focus of the Deputy Director (DD) is to build personal relationships with donors and prospects who have the capacity to make gifts of $10k+, with the overarching aim of meeting or exceeding unrestricted revenue goals. The position will work in support of the fundraising strategy developed by the Director of Development (DoD), based in Seattle. (25% of portfolio)/West Coast (10% of portfolio) are key fundraising markets for Mercy Corps and are being prioritized for strategic growth. This position will carry their own fundraising portfolio that aligns with the strategic growth plan for the region. They must also be comfortable discussing . The DD must be adept in articulating a compelling case for unrestricted mission-focused support as well as restricted support for strategic priorities. The DD is expected to collaborate with staff, with the dual aim of deepening their own understanding of Mercy Corps’ distinctive approach to humanitarian aid and development and bringing these colleagues together with donors and prospects. 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 & VISION

• In partnership with the Seattle-based DoD, develop ongoing regional strategies for Mercy Corps’ continued growth in private philanthropy across the PCNW with a primary focus on current donor retention and upgrades.

• Develop and enhance personal relationships with a select group of major donors with the goal of maintaining and increasing annual unrestricted support at the $10K+ level, generating. leadership

• gifts ($250K+) for programmatic priorities and generating bequest commitments. (70% of portfolio)

  • Identify and engage with high-net-worth individuals within Mercy Corps’ donor file who have not yet made a major gift, with the aim of securing new major gifts.
  • Meet with Legacy Society members and prospective members.

• Work closely with the Prospect Research Manager and the DoD to identify, cultivate and solicit individual philanthropists who are new to Mercy Corps (BizDev). (25-30% of portfolio)

• Set annual goals and develop personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for

• assigned donors.

• Assist in the development of strategies to heighten the profile of Mercy Corps among target

• constituencies, such as events, briefings, or other activities.

• Lead periodic overseas trips for key major donors and prospects as part of a well thought out and planned cultivation and solicitation strategy.

• Write or edit concepts, proposals, reports, pitch decks, updates, and stewardship materials for donors.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop working relationships with program staff to identify funding opportunities and to access programmatic information that can be used to steward donors.
• Stay abreast of key issues and trends in the international aid and development community and communicate these to donors and prospects.
• Lead on development of virtual program visits and donor engagement events for PCNW based prospect/donor portfolio.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with groups (select foundations, philanthropic advisors, financial advisors) engaging HNWI and their philanthropic decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to represent Mercy Corps on various panels and events both in-person and virtually.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Director of Development, High Impact Philanthropy – Seattle based

Works Directly With: All members of the HIP team, Corporate and Foundation team, and the Chief Development Officer

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 gifts fundraising team, including at least three years of direct fundraising; or equivalent experience in business development with a social impact oriented company; or a deep knowledge of Mercy Corps’ mission and operations as an outcome of having worked within Mercy Corps’ programs in 40+ countries for three or more years.
• Strategic and forward thinking, with the ability to develop and lead a major gifts strategy.
• Ambitious and proactive community builder.
• 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 – both written and oral, including public speaking.
• Outstanding people skills – empathetic and humble, as well as persuasive and confident.
• Must be able to work independently as well as in collaboration with a 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 driver’s 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position can be based from Mercy Corps’ Portland Office or remote in the greater Seattle Area. Portland-based staff may travel to Seattle up to 50% of th time to the Seattle area for donor meetings, networking, and representing Mercy Corps in the community. They would be comfortable maximizing productivity while on the road.

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.

As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. Any offers of employment or continued employment are dependent on the successful completion of the screens which include, but are not limited to our Background Check and Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme processes,

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 world’s 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.

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

Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees

Mercy 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 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.

How to apply

Apply here