Associate Director Develoment (Major Gifts)

Usyd; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 118,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Sydney’s Advancement Portfolio seeks a development professional to lead major gifts and donor engagement, focusing on museums and cultural partnerships. The role is fixed-term until November 2027 with flexible, hybrid work arrangements.

Starting salary is AU$131,108 base plus 17% superannuation and leave loading. Candidates will bring expertise in cultivation, solicitation, and team leadership to drive donor-centric philanthropy.

Qualifications

• Experience as a development professional including cultivation and solicitation of 6 and 7 figure major gifts.
• Demonstrates high cultural competence and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ contributions to the University of Sydney.
• Natural relationship builder comfortable interacting with diverse people across levels and cultures.
• Excellent listening and written communication skills to develop compelling proposals aligned to donor interests.
• Passionate about people leadership and mentoring; experience leading a team.
• Strategic thinker capable of long-term planning.
• High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills; driven to succeed with a donor-centric approach.

Skills

Major gifts cultivation

Cultural competence

Relationship building

Communication skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Emotional intelligence

Donor-centric mindset

Job description

Role

Role to work in the Advancement Portfolio with a specific focus Museums and cultural engagement

Fixed term until November 2027 - Flexible and hybrid work options

HEO 8 - Starting salary of $131,108 base plus 17% superannuation and leave loading.

About you

• Has experience as a development professional including the cultivation and solicitation 6 and 7 figure major gifts


• Can demonstrate a high level of cultural competence and an understanding of the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to the University of Sydney


• is a natural relationship builder who enjoy interacting with people one on one and fostering relationships with people at different levels and from different cultures


• has excellent communication skills, both listening and written in order to develop compelling proposals that align to a prospective donor's interest


• is passionate about people leadership and mentoring and has experience leading a team


• is strategic and can plan months, sometimes even years in advance


• has highly developed emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills


• is a high achiever and naturally driven by success both professionally and personally


• has a positive attitude, always striving for excellence with a donor centric approach.

About us

The Advancement Portfolio team at the University of Sydney is one of the most successful fundraising programs in Australian higher education. Having achieved the nation's first $1BN fundraising campaign and onto their second campaign, the team is not only the finest performing, its success facilitates the largest real-world impact that philanthropic giving makes possible.

Since its inception 175 years ago, the University of Sydney has led to improve the world around us. We believe in education for all and that effective leadership makes lives better. These same values are reflected in our approach to philanthropy and underpin our long-term strategy for excellence and growth. We're Australia's first university and have an outstanding global reputation for academic and research excellence. Across our campuses, we employ over 7600 academic and non-academic staff who support over 60,000 students.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in satisfactory order to the University. Also, to meet the University's obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives throu