Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, age, disability, veteran status, religion, national origin, color or any other protected class.
Location: Seattle, Bay Area or New York
Position Status: Regular, Full Time, Exempt
Salary Level: Starting salary for this role will be from $90,000 USD up to $120,000 USD annually, commensurate with experience.
Risk Level: [X]Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.
Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.
Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
The mission of the Resource Development (RD) department is to advance the organizations 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 Director of Principal Gifts plays a critical role within Mercy Corps High Impact Philanthropy team, securing transformational investments to advance the organizations global mission. Reporting to the Senior Director of High Impact Philanthropy, this role is responsible for strategy and execution across a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of giving $250,000 and above. The Director works cross-functionally with senior leadership, program teams, and development colleagues to craft exceptional donor experiences and secure both unrestricted and strategically aligned restricted gifts.
A dynamic frontline fundraiser, the Director manages a portfolio of 30-50 ultra-high-net-worth individuals. They serve as a trusted advisor to donors and prospects, designing bespoke cultivation and solicitation strategies, stewarding complex investments, and aligning donors philanthropic intent with Mercy Corps organizational priorities. This role requires fluency in the philanthropic landscape, experience engaging UHNWI, and the ability to navigate dynamic, high-stakes relationships with nuance and credibility.
The Principal Gifts portfolio plays a vital role in fueling Mercy Corps ability to respond to global crises and advance long-term development solutions. As such, the Director must excel at articulating Mercy Corps mission and crafting compelling cases for flexible funding, while also navigating restricted giving and collaborative initiatives.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PRINCIPAL GIFTS STRATEGY & FUNDRAISING
Build strong, trust-based relationships with donors through exceptional relationship management, compelling communications, and demonstrated follow-through.
Navigate complex gift structures, including planned giving, multi-year asks, and blended gifts; and innovative giving vehicles such as DAFs, crypto, family foundations, and complex assets.
Develop and implement highly customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, including CEO engagement, meetings, global site visits, and private briefings.
CROSS-TEAM COLLABORATION & ORGAZATIONAL LEARNING
Partner with colleagues across programs, finance, and compliance to identify and steward restricted opportunities, ensuring gifts are allocated and reported on in a timely manner.
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit mercy corps as well as themselves.
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES
Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
Supervisory Responsibility
Reports Directly To: Senior Director, High Impact Philanthropy
Works Directly With: All members of the High Impact Philanthropy and Resource Development teams.
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.
Familiarity with giving vehicles (e.g. DAFs, giving circles, family foundations, bequests) and the philanthropic community in key cities (Bay Area, Seattle, New York)
Highly organized, results-driven, and detail-oriented, with experience using CRMs to manage portfolios.
Success in this role hinges on exceptional relationship-building, strategic thinking, and the ability to engage ultra-high-net-worth individuals with credibility, care, and vision. The Director must bring strong emotional intelligence, communicate with clarity and confidence, and design highly customized donor experiences that lead to transformational investments. Comfort navigating complex giving structures and aligning donor intent with institutional priorities will be key to long-term success. A collaborative mindset, innovative approach, and passion for Mercy Corps mission are essential to deepening donor connections and driving lasting impact.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position will be based in the Bay Area, Seattle or New York
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
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
Team Efficiency and Effectiveness
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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.
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 an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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