About Mercato

Mercato is the leading online marketplace focused on empowering independent full category and specialty grocers, a $250B sales category in the US. The Mercato platform supports thousands of merchants through the entire e-commerce lifecycle and offers consumers a way to easily shop from their favorite local stores creating a consistent online experience to match in-store.

Mercato was founded in 2015, inspired by experiences of Founder and CEO Bobby Brannigan growing up and working at his family’s independent grocery store in New York. He learned first-hand that the 50,000+ independent grocery stores in the US lacked the technology and infrastructure to keep up with the modern demands of consumers driven by e-commerce experiences. Today, Mercato has hundreds of thousands of consumers using the platform as well as thousands of merchants.  For further information, visit www.mercato.com

The Position

Mercato is seeking an entrepreneurial Director of Development and Community Partnerships to lead the expansion of the company’s healthy food access and economic development program; the Mercato Thriving Communities Initiative. This position is 100% remote.

Mercato Thriving Communities (MTC) is a cross-sector initiative grounded in the communities where we operate, connecting communities with the stores they love. As the new Director of Development and Community Partnerships you will be responsible for building relationships and securing funding for the program’s expansion across the US.

Our key partners are government agencies (for example, Departments of Health, Economic Development, Small Business, and/or Food Policy.), non-profits (community-based organizations dedicated to reducing food insecurity through a range of programming), and philanthropists who provide funding to government agencies, non-profits, or directly to Mercato Thriving Communities Foundation (MTCF).

As Director of Development and Community Partnerships, you have a proven track record in developing and delivering significant fundraising campaigns and building effective partnerships with a wide range of key stakeholders in the communities we serve. In effect, your goal will be to maximize the number of meals that are put on the table for people who face food insecurity through successful fundraising and building lasting partnerships.

This role reports directly to the company’s Founder & CEO and is a strategic partner within the business, working cross functionally with all company stakeholders. You have significant experience and measurable results in non-profit or government fundraising as well as the strategic, operational, and technical skills to support the program objectives.

As Director of Development and Community Partnerships, you will have strong interpersonal and influencing skills to facilitate and manage a complex array of relationships, are data based in your advice and proposals, are analytical and empathic, solutions driven, an outstanding project manager, and a collaborative team member.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute fundraising strategies for cities, federal and local government agencies, philanthropies, companies, and individuals to maximize partner success through the delivery of Mercato’s suite of solutions
• Lead MTC program growth through developing strategic partnerships for program expansion as well as manage existing partnerships
• Achieve quarterly fundraising goals and pipeline targets
• Collaborate closely with Mercato’s account management team creating a successful partnership growth strategy in conjunction with the partners’ KPIs
• Attend and present at conferences and events to build Mercato’s awareness among new potential partners
• Work with the Mercato marketing team to generate marketing materials necessary for selling
• Cross functional collaboration for innovation and partner success

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years proven fundraising experience in the non-profit and/or government environment in excess of $8 million annually
• 5+ years experience responding to and managing RFP processes from multiple sources: Government, Philanthropies, Non-profits
• Knowledgeable about the workings of government procurement
• Excellent track record of building and maintaining key relationships with critical stakeholders
• Highly organized, detailed and process and results driven
• Ability to travel monthly through the US to key partners to meet prospective partners and secure funding
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Outstanding project management
• Thoughtful and data-based solutions driven
• Outstanding influencing skills
• Proficient with all aspects of Salesforce CRM, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office
• Proven ability to execute multiple projects concurrently
• Exceptional active listening, communication, and organizational skills
• Comfortable and effective at remote work
• An intense passion for Mercato’s mission to develop healthy, vibrant communities through supporting the independent grocer
• Preferred locations: New York City, Washington, DC or metropolitan area in Northeast

What We Offer

• Anticipated salary range $110k-$170K+; commensurate with experience
• Significant stock options package
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision insurance, 401k match, generous PTO policy and paid holidays
• Opportunity to design and shape the strategic direction of the company
• Consistent & fair leadership: we are transparent and set clear goals
• Upbeat work environment at a company with a compelling vision to support locally owned grocery stores, provide greater food access and grow

If you want to make a difference in providing greater food access and economic development focused on independent grocery stores, and if this position speaks to your capabilities, experience and commitment, please submit your resume and cover letter with salary requirements with  Director of Development and Community Partnerships in the subject line to jobs@kkandp.com

Qualified candidates will be contacted by phone and/or email. Mercato conducts reference checks and background checks for finalists.

Nation-wide statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the qualifications. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for this position, Mercato encourages you to apply.

Mercato is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is seeking to diversify our team in terms of professional and cultural backgrounds and lived experience.