Director of Acquisition and Growth

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a global non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Established in 1979, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries and employs more than 5,000 staff members worldwide. The organization focuses on providing assistance in areas such as economic development, disaster response, and conflict resolution, with a mission to create a better world through innovative solutions and partnerships.

Job Overview:
The Director of Acquisition and Growth is a pivotal role within Mercy Corps, responsible for developing and scaling the mass market donor acquisition program across various channels. This position aims to address the critical challenge of replacing and expanding the donor file, which is essential for the organization's long-term growth strategy. Reporting to the Senior Director of Mass Market Fundraising, the Director will oversee the strategy, performance, and financial management of all mass market acquisition efforts in the U.S. market. This includes digital acquisition, direct mail, and emerging channels such as face-to-face fundraising. The role is crucial for ensuring that growth translates into high-quality donors who are retained and upgraded over time. A significant focus will be on designing and implementing a monthly donor acquisition program that aligns with Mercy Corps' long-term goals, aiming to transition the donor file to a majority monthly base over the next 5-10 years. The Director will work closely with the Director of Retention & Loyalty to ensure that acquisition strategies are integrated with retention efforts, ultimately improving file health and fostering sustainable growth.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director of Acquisition and Growth will be responsible for leading Mercy Corps' mass market acquisition strategy across both online and offline channels. Key duties include: owning and leading the mass market acquisition strategy, designing and launching a monthly donor acquisition program, identifying and developing new acquisition channels, leading performance-driven awareness efforts in collaboration with Brand Marketing, and translating organizational growth goals into actionable acquisition plans. Additionally, the Director will manage acquisition expense and revenue budgets, establish performance frameworks that prioritize donor quality and retention, and partner with various teams to enhance segmentation and targeting. The role also involves managing agency and vendor partners, building a culture of performance within the acquisition function, and ensuring safeguarding responsibilities are integrated into all work processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and have at least 6 years of experience in mass market fundraising. Significant experience in leading donor acquisition or performance-driven fundraising programs at scale is essential, along with a proven track record in digital acquisition and performance marketing. Familiarity with multi-channel acquisition efforts, including emerging channels like face-to-face fundraising, is highly desirable. Strong financial and analytical skills are required, including experience in managing large budgets and performance reporting. The ideal candidate should demonstrate the ability to operate cross-functionally and partner effectively across various teams, as well as a commitment to humanitarian mission-driven work.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required, with a preference for candidates who have pursued further education or specialized training in fundraising, marketing, or a related discipline. The educational background should support the candidate's ability to understand complex fundraising strategies and financial management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in mass market fundraising, with a strong emphasis on donor acquisition and performance-driven fundraising programs. Candidates should have a demonstrated history of successfully scaling fundraising initiatives and managing substantial budgets, as well as experience in leading teams and projects within a complex organizational structure.

Languages:
While English is the mandatory language for this position, proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if it aligns with Mercy Corps' operational regions or target donor demographics.

Additional Notes:
This position can be performed remotely or in a hybrid model from one of Mercy Corps' headquarters locations in Portland, Oregon, or Washington, D.C. The role may require travel up to 25% of the time for donor meetings, conferences, or workshops. Mercy Corps promotes ongoing learning, allowing team members to dedicate 5% of their time to personal and professional development activities. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment, adhering to strict safeguarding and ethical standards.