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)

About Mercy Corps

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 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.

General Position Summary

The Director of Principal Gifts plays a critical role within Mercy Corps’ High Impact Philanthropy team, securing transformational investments to advance the organization’s 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 donor’s 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

• Manage a portfolio of 30-50 ultra-high-net-worth donors and prospects with the capacity to make principal-level gifts ($250,000+).
• Utilize network mapping, research, engagements and executive travel to grow the principal gift pipeline. New business will be approximately 25% of your portfolio.
• 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.
• Collaborate with a Senior Account Manager to manage, accurately track, and measure progress toward financial goals and other KPIs.

CROSS-TEAM COLLABORATION & ORGAZATIONAL LEARNING

• Contribute to broader High Impact Philanthropy strategies to grow Mercy Corps’ private sector funding base and elevate donor experiences.
• 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.
• Stay abreast of Mercy Corps’ mission and funding priorities, as well as key issues and trends in the international aid and global development to inspire and inform donor engagement.
• 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

1. Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
2. Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
3. 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

None

Accountability

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.

Knowledge and Experience

• 5+ years of experience in principal or major gift fundraising, with a strong track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts from UHNWI.
• Demonstrated success in managing a high-value, high-risk portfolio.
• Exceptional relationship building skills, with the ability to engage high-level donors, board members and senior leaders.
• Familiarity with giving vehicles (e.g. DAFs, giving circles, family foundations, bequests) and the philanthropic community in key cities (Bay Area, Seattle, New York)
• Understanding of and interest in Mercy Corps’ mission and/or international development and humanitarian response; experience in a global nonprofit preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into compelling cases for support.
• Strong interpersonal skills—empathetic, humble, confident, and persuasive.
• Highly organized, results-driven, and detail-oriented, with experience using CRMs to manage portfolios.
• A valid driver’s license, ability and willingness to travel as required.

Success Factors

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.

How to Apply:

https://jobs.jobvite.com/careers/mercycorps/job/ogNUvfwc?__jvst=Job%20Board&__jvsd=jobvite