Regional Development Manager- Southern California Region

Who We Are
Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships to bring life-changing surgeries and transformational medical training to people in some of the most challenging contexts along the African coast. For over 40 years, Mercy Ships has been delivering lasting hope and healing through safe surgical care, while working alongside partners and stakeholders to strengthen local healthcare systems in more than 55 countries. Since the inception of this dream by founders Don and Deyon Stephens in 1978, Mercy Ships has served more than 2.7 million direct beneficiaries without regard for race, gender, or religion.

Do you have a heart for the hurting and a desire to invest your talents and experiences into a mission with eternal significance? For every transformative surgery that takes place onboard one of our Mercy Ships, there are dozens of men and women being used of the Lord to prepare the way through their vocational gifts and talents!

The Regional Development Manager raises large gifts, pledges, and letters of intent (LOI), from individuals, family foundations, selected corporate foundations, and corporations within an assigned geographical region.

This position requires candidates to live in Southern California and have prior relevant understanding of the region's philanthropic culture, donor segments, networks, communities, and giving trends. 

This position is a remote, full-time position with required domestic and/or international travel.

Annual Compensation Range for this position is $115,000-$135,000 USD

How You Will Contribute:

• Responsible for the personalized contact and moves management plans of between 125 - 150 donors and prospects within an assigned geography.

• The RDM is expected to meet with 10 to 12 assigned donors and prospects per month. This caseload includes existing donors in the Mercy Ships database, plus selected high net worth individuals, family foundations, and privately held companies that are prospective donors.

• The RDM works with senior management, selected board members, and regionally based volunteers to develop a gift cultivation and solicitation plan for each gift.

• Prepare and maintain an annual expense budget and submit required expense documentation in compliance with financial policies. Submit necessary business travel plans for approval by the supervisor.

• Identify, research, and strategize qualified new donor prospects and add names to the caseload and database when appropriate.

• Continually update the database on the assigned caseload by entering new information gathered from interactions and other public sources. Include giving capacity, interests, relationships, and motivation data germane to establishing a growing relationship. The database remains the property of Mercy Ships.

• Complete contact reports after each donor interaction and post information in the main database.

• Submit monthly progress reports to evaluate performance based on goals and objectives. Reports reflect the financial goal for each prospect, forecast for the coming quarter, and donor interaction summary.

• Manage the stewardship plan for each prospect, providing a written or personal report on funds used, and other information pertinent to a donor. Provide this follow-up in a professional and timely manner.

• Set and pursue personal, spiritual, and professional growth and education objectives, and manage time to meet those objectives.

• Maintain alignment and uphold Mercy Ships’ Core Values, Code of Conduct, and follow the policies and procedures published on Compass.

• Follow the model of Jesus and aligns with our core values by Loving God; Loving and Serving Others; Being a Person of Integrity; and a Person of Excellence in all you say and do.

• Other duties may be assigned that are not included in the information provided in this job description.

• Must reside in the geographical territory and have personal insight and connections to local culture, attitudes, and regional preferences

Ideal Candidate:

• Supportive of Mercy Ships’ mission and vision and committed to its core values.

• Understand and apply servant leadership, work collaboratively with integrity and demonstrate accountability.

• An understanding of the Mercy Ships health care system including the model, the message, the methods, and the metrics, by which its mission is accomplished.

• A personal and professional commitment to and an understanding of the special purpose, mission, and programs of Mercy Ships. Adhere to Mercy Ships Code of Conduct.

• An understanding of and ability to work with paid Staff Members and volunteers at all levels within the development and governance structure of Mercy Ships.

• An approach, personal bearing, and philosophy that are an extension and representative of the commitment of the Mercy Ships Board of Directors, Founder/President, Staff Members, donors, and volunteers. Mercy Ships will provide training, videos and access to key Staff Members for understanding our mission, vision and values.

• Note: All Mercy Ships Team Members are required to complete a two-week training program (Gateway) at the International Support Center.

• Motivated, self-starter with a desire to achieve personal and organizational goals. Able to work alone without close, direct supervision.

• An ability to establish professional credibility and build trust from first impressions. The ability to sustain respect, listen well, and gain other’s confidence.

• An ability to organize work and collaborate with a well-functioning, productive, creative, and collegial team of development professionals.

• An ability to build and ever-deepen relationships with donors, colleagues, Staff Members, subordinates, and volunteers.

• Working knowledge of fundraising methods and experiential understanding of planned giving tools and strategies.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills are essential. In addition, strong listening skills with the ability to apply learnings to actionable response.

• Proficient use of the Internet, email, Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and understanding of contact management software. Experience with Salesforce is highly desired.

• Travel is expected to be 7 to 10 days per month, depending on assigned geographical region. Reasonable travel and entertainment expenses will be reimbursed with prior approval within organizational financial guidelines.

• RDM should have his/her own car, a cell phone, a desk jet printer, and access to high-speed internet access.

• A current US passport is also desired.

• A minimum time commitment of forty hours per week is expected but the work schedule will be flexible, including night and weekend work.

Education and Experience:

• Experience with international missions or non-government charitable organizations is highly desirable.

• Continuing education or certification in the development field is strongly desirable.

• Five to 10 years of major gift fundraising experience working with high-networth individuals or families is desired.

• A college degree is preferred; bachelor level or equivalent experience in a related field.

• Successful completion of Mercy Ships Entry Training will be required within the first year.

• Or equivalent combination of experience and education

Pour your God-given talents into a mission with eternal return on investment -- join the Mercy Ships Crew, today! This is a paid position. To explore our many Mercy Ships volunteer opportunities, please visit us at: https://www.mercyships.org/get-involved/volunteer/