DIRECTOR, PHILANTHROPY (INDIGENOUS)

University of Melbourne Advancement
Spearhead the indigenous fundraising strategy
Exciting growth trajectory

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.

In 2023, UoM launched the Murmuk Djerring Strategy 2023-2030. Murmuk Djerring, ‘working together’ in Woi Wurrung language, marks a watershed moment in the University’s history and its relationship with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It presents many important priorities and opportunities to strengthen the University’s efforts towards its larger enduring purpose, which is to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research.

About the role The exciting new position of Director of Philanthropy (Indigenous) plays a critical role leading the cultivation and solicitation of some of UoM’s most significant donors and prospective donors, primarily those capable of making principal gifts, i.e. over $1m, to maximise the philanthropic income for university priorities. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement (STEM & Indigenous), and leading a small growing team, the Director will attract philanthropy and corporate social investment for Murmuk Djerring and Advancement strategies. The appointee will work in partnership with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and Indigenous leaders across the University and is part of the Indigenous and STEM leadership team. Working in a collaborative peer environment the Director will design and deliver a fundraising program and manage complex relationships and priorities across the University.

About you

You are a proven fundraising leader with experience in program management and major gift fundraising in a First Nations/Indigenous portfolio. With a track record in education or other relevant philanthropic sectors your success in major gift fundraising at the $500,000+ level, is underpinned by your deep insight into First Nations ways of being and doing, outstanding relationship building and communication skills, and ability to deal effectively with stakeholders and supporters. A leader with high-level negotiation and strategic and critical thinking ability, you are entrepreneurially minded, comfortable with ambiguity and complexity, and able to orchestrate a myriad of stakeholders. Your experience in best practice advancement techniques and knowledge in national and international advancement trends, 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 Dalia Klein at SHK on +61 3 8620 8004 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, Philanthropy (Indigenous) (shk.com.au)