Head of Regional Development

Our vision 

That every child receives one daily meal in their place of education and that all those who have more than they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things. 

Our mission 

To enable people to offer their money, goods, skills, time, or prayer, and through this involvement, provide the most effective help to those suffering the effects of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest communities. 

Our values 

Confidence in the innate goodness of people – respect for the dignity of every human being and family life – good stewardship of resources entrusted to us.  

Hunger kills millions of children each year. It also stunts their growth – and their dreams.  Hungry children think about survival, not about going to school – around 57 million of the world’s hungriest children do not attend school.                           

These life-changing meals attract hungry children into the classroom. Food fills their empty bellies, so they have the energy and opportunity to learn, giving them the chance of a brighter future. The meals also support families struggling to feed their children while boosting the country’s wider economy.

Mary's Meals is now feeding over 2.4 million of the world’s poorest children every day they attend school. It costs just $25.20 to feed a child for a whole year.

Mary’s Meals USA

Mary’s Meals USA raises awareness and funds to support school feeding programs in some of the world’s poorest countries, where hunger and poverty prevent children from getting an education. 

Mary’s Meals USA’s headquarters is located in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The Head of Regional Development is a full-time role authorized to be fully remote. The preferred location would be Texas but other regions will be considered. 

Purpose of the role 

The individual in the Head of Regional Development role will report to the Director of Development. They will collaborate with and support the Director to establish a strategy for growing awareness of our Mary’s Meals’ mission.  

The Head of Regional Development will lead our grassroots movement in New Regions, which may include but are not limited to Texas (DFW, Austin & Huston), Southern Florida, and Maryland/DC. 

The individual in this role will supervise a team of full-time and part-time dedicated Regional Officers.  

Work within this broad region will include strategic efforts to raise awareness of Mary’s Meals in churches, schools, and other venues, including high-capacity audiences (e.g., Conferences), and efforts to use such engagement to bring in new donors.

*Our grassroots strategy includes working with Individual donors of all levels, such as High-Net-Worth donors, corporate donors, schools, and churches.

The Head of Regional Development will also create and maintain an Ambassador and Church strategy. This will include building relationships with existing youth and adult ambassadors and bringing new Ambassadors on board. In partnership with our other Head of Regional Development, this role will also engage with existing churches and bring new churches into our database through the updated church strategy.

Principle duties 

Lead strategy for growth in the region: 

• Work closely with the Department Director and the rest of the Development team to develop and implement the overall Fundraising and Engagement strategy 
• Explore speaking opportunities for Regional Coordinators to take part in and identify other potential engagements to spread the message about Mary’s Meals mission
• Support Department Director in developing and implementing regional strategies in the new regions
• Collaborate with other Head of Regional Development to best engage with and support the implementation of the Mary’s Meals Ambassador and Church strategy across various Regions. Areas of focus for regional efforts include:
  • Increasing grassroots speaking opportunities and other engagements with churches, schools, and other audiences
  • Focused follow-up with audiences to move “supporters” to become “donors.”
  • “Pillar” events in each regional focus area to ensure keeping Mary’s Meals in front of the minds of supporters and donors
  • Explore new areas for regional focus and investment (e.g., Houston, TX or N. VA/MD)

Managing Regional Team:

• Articulate the regional strategy and support the regional team with the unique Mary’s Meals way of fundraising, utilizing documents such as “Foundation Stones” to increase support and feed more children
• Provide regular feedback to your team in 1:1 meetings and team meetings
• Set clear expectations or goals to aim for that reflect your VTO
• Monitor productivity and provide guidance when needed
• Recognize a job well done – Celebrate the wins
• Complete PDR reviews – Yearly and 6-month check-in points

Managing Youth and Adult Ambassador Portfolio:

• Engage with existing Ambassadors through regular, consistent phone, video calls, and email communication.  
• Communication and relationship building with the goals of:
  • Sharing Program and Mission updates
  • Better understanding of Ambassador focus
  • Clarity on Ambassador priorities
  • Offer to and educate Ambassadors on ways to fundraise and share our Mission 
• Regular (monthly or quarterly) calls with Ambassadors to provide updates and allow them to share what they are working on
• Maintain a quarterly Ambassador newsletter
• Seek opportunities to grow our portfolio of Ambassadors within regional efforts.

Managing a Regional Church Portfolio:

• Review of existing church activity and strategy
• What has worked well with other nonprofits
• Understanding Mary’s Meals core faith-based audience
• Creating a plan of action for expanding Mary’s Meals presence within Churches
• Working with the other Head of Regional Development to implement the church strategy

Skills & Experience 

• Possess advanced communications skills, both written and oral.  
• Experience and comfort with public speaking and formal presentations particularly within faith-based communities and schools with a varied range of ages.  
• Experience raising funds and sharing the mission of a non-profit. 
• Possess a warm and engaging personality, with good networking and interpersonal skills.  
• Able to work effectively on multiple tasks simultaneously.  
• Able to work independently, be a self-motivator and possess excellent judgement.  
• Ability to travel within the USA, with small potential for international travel. 
• Able to work evening and weekends to speak or help with event as required 

To apply please send your resume to jobs.usa@marysmeals.org.