Head of Fundraising

• Lead significant fundraising portfolio nationally
• Support young Australians to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty
• Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, hybrid work flexibility

The Smith Family believes that education is one of the world’s most powerful change agents. That’s why they focus on helping young Australians to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty. The Smith Family is looking for a dynamic and experienced leader to join their Senior Leadership Team as the Head of Fundraising.

Reporting to the CEO, the Head of Fundraising is part of the Executive team and plays a vital role in setting the strategy and direction of the organisation; as well as provides the vision and leadership to the multi-disciplined team.

This exciting role will lead one of the largest fundraising programs in Australia encompassing individual giving, philanthropy, customer experience and supporter operations. The Smith Family deliver programs to 91 communities across the country, supporting over 160,000 young Australians. Fundraising contributes 85% of the organisation’s annual income, enabling this impactful and wide-reaching program delivery, as well as further investment in vital activities that build capacity, sustainability, knowledge and innovation to support The Smith Family’s mission and long-term goals.  

You will be responsible for:

• Strategy and Planning – Develop and oversee The Smith Family’s national fundraising and supporter engagement plan utilising a multi-channel approach incorporating innovative and data-driven methods. Lead internal stakeholders and the fundraising team to achieve ambitious income generation targets through building long-term partnerships, maximising funding opportunities and executing innovative fundraising strategies.
  
• Financial Planning and Budgeting – Oversee the annual fundraising operating budget and revenue plan, including developing and maintaining income and expenditure tracking and evaluation, performance metrics and cost ratios. Utilise data analytics to inform fundraising strategies, track performance, and identify opportunities for improvement.
  
• Fundraising and Supporter Stewardship – Create and nurture long-term relationships with key supporters, ensuring high quality and effective supporter journeys across all touch points, including brand expression, advertising and communications. Explore new funding opportunities, plus lead development and implementation of new products and initiatives including online platforms and digital channels.
  
• People Leadership – Lead and foster a culture of continuous learning and agility, high performance, and inclusivity within the team. Lead succession planning and ensure the effective implementation of people-related policies and procedures.
  
• Organisational Leadership – Build and drive the desired organisational culture and leadership behaviours, strengthen strategic decision making and empower teams to achieve. Contribute as part of an Executive team to identify, design and oversee the strategy, collaborate with team members and actively remove roadblocks.
  
• Stakeholder Engagement – Represent the organisation at external forums, and work with the Fundraising leadership team to maintain strong internal and external relationships to leverage outcomes and growth.

About YOU

• A seasoned leader with over 10 years of senior leadership experience, with a proven track record of leading large-scale fundraising, marketing and/or customer loyalty programs.
• Tertiary qualifications in relevance discipline is essential, ideally business management, commerce, marketing, social impact or fundraising (CFRE, Certified Fund Raising Executive).
• Exceptional leadership to build and empower a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing team.
• Strong commercial acumen and data-led approach, together with understanding of data insights and analytics.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships, both internally and externally.
• Adept at navigating complex systems and have a demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate others.
• A proven record of success in delivering complex projects within designated budgets, risk parameters and timeframes, and guiding teams through periods of transformation. Knowledge of Agile is highly beneficial.
• Commitment to quality improvement and best practice.
• Growth mindset, plus the ability to think strategically and creatively to embrace new opportunities, market segments, innovation, technology, product development and changing landscapes.
• Aligned to the values of The Smith Family – Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation and Excellence.
• Location is open across the Eastern Seaboard, with a preference for Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane[LA1]. Interstate travel will be required to National Office (Sydney), plus other locations.
• Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate must be prepared to undertake a National Police Check and a Working with Children’s Check.

APPLY NOW if you are an experienced senior leader with a track record in leading large-scale fundraising, marketing and/or customer loyalty programs, who is inspired to make a positive impact for children experiencing educational inequality.  

Gembridge Australia is proud to be the exclusive recruitment partner for this important leadership opportunity with The Smith Family.

For a confidential discussion or to request the Position Description, please contact Michelle Varcoe or Jenni D’Orival at Gembridge Australia on 03 8375 9661 or [email protected]. 

Closing Date: 27 November 2024.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will review applications and commence interviews as they are received.

The Smith Family and Gembridge Australia champions diversity and is committed to building an inclusive environment. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation and genders.