DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY (ENGINEERING & IT)

University of Melbourne Advancement
Leadership role in major gift fundraising
Ambitious growth agenda

About the organisation

The University of Melbourne (UoM) is Australia’s leading university, with a 170-year tradition of higher education in all disciplines. Its enduring purpose is to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. A career in advancement at UoM means supporting research and education that changes lives. It is an exciting time to join the UoM advancement team as it looks beyond its successful $1bn Believe Campaign and as the University invests in the team to deliver even more impact to local, national and global communities.

About the role

The Director of Philanthropy (Engineering and IT) is a senior position within UoM Advancement and will lead a small team. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement (STEM and Indigenous), the Director will play an important leadership role attracting philanthropic revenue as part of the overall Advancement Strategy and in delivering on the ambitions of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. The appointee is personally responsible for the qualification, cultivation and solicitation of some of UoM’s most significant donors and prospective donors, primarily those capable of making principal gifts ($1-5M), to maximise the philanthropic income and achieve the mutually agreed fund raising targets. Collaborating with a range of internal and external stakeholders including advancement colleagues, University and faculty leaders, alumni, donors and industry leaders the Director will demonstrate Advancement practice leadership as a key provider of expertise and guidance, and through strategic insight. The role will foster close collaboration with and between Deans, academic and professional staff in the divisions to ensure the highest quality of principal and major gift development activity is delivered.

About you

You are a proven fundraising executive with extensive leadership experience and a track record of success in major gift fundraising at the $1M+ level ideally in sectors such as engineering, technology, sciences, education, research for other relevant large philanthropic organisations. A demonstrated ability to provide high level, effective leadership and direction to your internal team and external stakeholders to deliver on major gift programs, is underpinned by your experience navigating complex organisations, ability to analyse situations, develop plans, and initiate and implement programs. You possess outstanding communication skills, a diplomatic approach, the ability to deal effectively with all levels of stakeholders and supporters including donors and volunteers, lead high-level negotiation, and possess strategic and critical thinking ability. Your experience in best practice advancement techniques, complemented by your high EQ, energy and passion for leading meaningful programs, will see you thrive and succeed in this impactful position. 

SHK Asia Pacific has been engaged to conduct this search on behalf of the University of Melbourne.

For more information, please contact Tracy Melonie at SHK on +61 3 8620 8050 or click ‘Apply for this job’. Please submit your resume in Microsoft Word format.  Direct and third-party applications will be forwarded to SHK. 

Please click the link below to view the position description for this role.

Director of Philanthropy (Engineering and IT), Advancement (shk.com.au)