Director of Fundraising & Donor Relations

Opportunity for an outstanding fundraising senior manager/executive to start the new year in a rewarding Executive Leadership role in growing not-for-profit & make a positive change in children’s lives.

• Lead a national team and drive innovative fundraising strategy
• Work with purpose – create life-changing education opportunities for children
• Flexible hybrid working environment
• Additional time off offered for staff wellbeing and birthdays

Role Overview:
In its first decade, national not-for-profit Schools Plus has created education opportunities for over 500,000 children and young people in more than 1,500 schools in underserved communities across Australia. We have ambitious goals to grow the number of children, teachers and schools we support each year and strengthen our position as an authority on the needs of schools in disadvantaged communities.

The Director of Fundraising and Donor Relations will support this next phase of growth by building a pipeline of major gift and philanthropic income for Schools Plus from foundations, corporates and high net worth individuals. You will also be responsible for inspiring a growing national fundraising team to meet annual targets and work closely with the leadership team to drive organisation strategy.

Reporting to the CEO and working within the Leadership Team, this role offers an exciting opportunity for a passionate fundraising professional who can bring experience and innovation to our fundraising strategy and culture.

This is a full-time permanent role. We are open for this role to be based in either Sydney or Melbourne.

Reporting to the CEO and working within the Leadership Team, this role offers an exciting opportunity for a passionate fundraising professional who can bring experience and innovation to our fundraising strategy and culture.

This is a full-time permanent role. We are open for this role to be based in either Sydney or Melbourne.

Roles and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Lead strategic planning, execution and review of School Plus’ donor engagement and fundraising strategy
• As a member of the leadership team, play a key role in organisational strategy-setting and execution and work together to drive cross-team initiatives
• In conjunction with CEO, lead and champion all the work to achieve donor engagement and fundraising targets set out in Schools Plus’ strategy.
• Manage a portfolio of existing significant donor relationships and identify and build new long-term relationships with corporates, trusts and foundations and individuals.
• Work closely with the Director of Marketing to develop communications and marketing strategies that tell the story of how we work and our impact and identify potential marketing and communications/ publicity/ public speaking opportunities for Schools Plus.
• Lead, manage and support our energetic and talented donor relations team (based in various cities)
• Ensure all donor data is of highest integrity.
• Manage fundraising budget.
• Input into continuous improvement of donor relations and fundraising processes.

Selection criteria

The role will suit someone with the following:

• Over 5 years’ successful senior management experience in donor relations and fundraising in not-for-profit sector
• Demonstrated success in leading strategy development and driving innovative fundraising activity to deliver higher donation income and secure new funding opportunities.
• A passion and proven ability to successfully manage and inspire high performing teams
• Significant expertise and experience in developing and maintaining donor relationships, particularly in relation to major donors, including high net worth individuals, trusts and foundations and corporates
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and stakeholder management skills
• Successful track record in writing grant applications, proposals and impact reports that align with supporters’ interests and tell the story of the difference they will/have made
• Excellent understanding of the philanthropic network and landscape in Australia
• Well-connected nationally and able to draw on existing relationships within the philanthropic community
• Experience at a senior leadership level, contributing to organisational strategy and collaborating productively with other leaders
• Team player mentality and a leader who collaborates with all areas of an organisation
• Budget management and reporting experience
• Experience working with board members and other executives
• Confident with technology, e.g., CRM systems (ours is Salesforce and MS365)
• Passion for the not-for-profit sector and education equity.

To apply, please email a cover letter addressing the selection criteria above and a resume to [email protected] using the subject line: Director of Fundraising and Donor Relations application. Applications close on Monday 15 January 2024. Schools Plus is committed to equal opportunity whilst achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo a Working with Children Check. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.