Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Acquisition and Growth
at Mercy Corps
🏢 About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps stands out as a global humanitarian organization that empowers communities in over 40 countries to develop their own solutions during crises and hardship, focusing on sustainable change rather than temporary aid. Working here means contributing to bold, community-driven initiatives that help people build resilience from within, offering a unique opportunity to blend fundraising expertise with meaningful social impact.
About This Role
As Director of Acquisition and Growth, you'll lead the strategy and execution of Mercy Corps' mass market donor acquisition across digital, direct mail, and emerging channels, with a focus on scaling monthly donor programs for sustained revenue growth. This role is impactful because it directly fuels the organization's ability to respond to global crises by building a reliable, expanding donor base that supports long-term community projects.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve analyzing acquisition campaign performance data to adjust budgets and strategies, collaborating with the brand marketing team on website optimization for donor conversion, and planning cross-channel initiatives to scale monthly donor programs. You'll also spend time forecasting revenue trends and leading meetings to align acquisition efforts with Mercy Corps' broader humanitarian goals.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Mercy Corps Is Looking For
- Has 6+ years in mass market fundraising with proven success in scaling donor acquisition programs, particularly in digital and performance marketing channels.
- Demonstrates strong financial acumen, including experience managing large acquisition budgets, forecasting, and making data-driven investment decisions to optimize ROI.
- Possesses expertise in launching and growing monthly donor programs, with a track record of driving long-term donor value and retention.
- Is skilled at cross-functional collaboration, especially with brand marketing teams to align website funnels and digital experiences with acquisition goals.
📝 Tips for Applying to Mercy Corps
Quantify your impact in previous roles: use metrics like donor acquisition cost, monthly donor conversion rates, or revenue growth from scaled programs to show tangible results.
Tailor your resume to highlight experience with multi-channel acquisition (digital, direct mail, performance media) and mention any work in emerging channels like social media or SMS fundraising.
Research Mercy Corps' current fundraising campaigns (e.g., their emergency response or community development initiatives) and suggest how your acquisition strategies could align with these themes.
Emphasize your ability to manage large budgets and forecast performance, as this role requires business management of acquisition expenses and revenue.
If you have nonprofit experience, highlight it; if not, explain how your for-profit acquisition skills translate to Mercy Corps' mission-driven context.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain your experience in building and scaling mass market donor acquisition programs, with specific examples of channels you've mastered (e.g., digital acquisition, direct mail).", "Detail your success in launching or managing monthly donor programs, emphasizing how you've driven long-term value and sustained growth.", 'Describe your financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis for acquisition campaigns.', "Connect your passion for Mercy Corps' mission to your professional goals, showing how your growth strategies can amplify their community impact."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Mercy Corps' recent annual reports or donor impact stories to understand their funding priorities and how mass market donations support specific programs.
- → Review their current digital presence (website, social media, email campaigns) to assess their acquisition funnel and identify potential gaps or opportunities.
- → Learn about their emergency response and long-term community projects (e.g., in regions like Ukraine or East Africa) to tailor your approach to mission-aligned fundraising.
- → Look into their existing donor programs, such as recurring giving options, to see how you could enhance or scale these efforts.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with a generic resume that doesn't highlight specific mass market fundraising or acquisition experience, especially in digital channels.
- Failing to mention financial management skills or budget oversight, which are core to this business manager role.
- Overlooking the remote work aspect by not demonstrating experience with distributed teams or self-directed leadership in a virtual setting.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!