Development Associate

The University of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sydney is seeking a Development Associate in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences to secure philanthropic investment and grow the donor pipeline. You will identify new prospective donors, align their interests with university priorities, and solicit multiple gifts over 100,000 AUD to support projects across portfolios.

This role emphasizes relationship building across diverse cultures, excellent communication, and high integrity in how donor data is handled.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication for compelling proposals.
• Strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
• Proactive approach with high personal drive.
• Ability to handle data confidentially and with integrity.
• Passion for biomedical, healthcare or medical research sectors.

Responsibilities

• Secure philanthropic investment to support projects and programs.
• Identify new prospective donors and grow the donor pipeline.
• Engage high net-worth prospects and align interests with university priorities.
• Solicit gifts of $100,000 or more across portfolios.

Skills

Relationship builder

Communication

Emotional intelligence

Active listener

Proactive work ethic

High-achiever

Confidentiality & integrity

Job description

We now have an exciting new opportunity for a Development Associate, Faculty Arts and Social Sciences. In this role you will play a role in securing philanthropic investment that will support projects and programs in these portfolios and across the University. Drawing upon your relationship building skills, there will be a focus on identifying new prospective donors for the strategic priorities of the deans, building on recent successful gifts, and growing the pipeline of donors.

You will engage high net-worth donor prospects, align their interest and passions to the strategic priorities of the University, and successfully solicit multiple gifts with a value of $100,000 or more.

While we welcome applications from all candidates, this is a Targeted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Position. As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates will be assessed as a priority.

About FASS

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is consistently ranked among the leading faculties of its kind, nationally and internationally and has a proud history and tradition of intellectual rigour, committed to offering a vibrant research and teaching environment.

The mission of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is to conduct research and teaching across the breadth of the humanities and social sciences that makes a difference in the lives of its students, staff and the broader community, both in Australia and globally.

About you

• is a natural relationship builder – you enjoy interacting with people one-on-one and fostering relationships with individuals at different levels and from diverse cultures;
• has excellent communication skills, both listening and written, enabling you to develop compelling proposals or cases for support that align with a prospective donor’s interests;
• possesses highly developed emotional intelligence, you are self-aware with exceptional interpersonal skills; an active listener with a proactive work ethic;
• is a high-achiever, naturally driven by success both professionally and personally;
• is confident in handling data with confidentiality and integrity;
• is passionate about biomedical, healthcare, or medical research sectors, and you can demonstrate this in a cover letter, along with explaining why you would be a strong candidate for this role.

The Advancement Portfolio team at the University of Sydney is one of the most successful fundraising program in Australian higher education. Having completed the nation’s first $1BN fundraising campaign and onto the next, 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.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For a continuing position, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. 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.

The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.

The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Applications Close

Sunday 04 October 2026 11:59 PM

Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad .