Development Manager

University of Sydney; Camperdown; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sydney is seeking a Development Manager, FMH, to lead major gifts fundraising across faculties. You will identify high-net-worth prospects, align interests with the University's priorities, and solicit gifts of $100,000+ while nurturing key internal and external relationships.

The role requires a proven track record in major gifts, strong leadership, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work autonomously to achieve ambitious targets.

Qualifications

• Background in major gift fundraising with demonstrated ability to identify and negotiate $100,000+ gift opportunities.
• Strong track record of achievement and meeting stretch financial targets.
• Demonstrated relationship building and strong leadership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly developed emotional intelligence with exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and be a high-achiever driven by success.
• Superior time-management, prioritisation and organisation.

Responsibilities

• Raise major financial gifts to support projects and programs across the University.
• Identify and engage high-net-worth donor prospects and align their interests to University priorities.
• Solicit gifts with values of $100,000 or more and manage donor relationships across faculties.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to advance fundraising campaigns and strategic priorities.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Relationship building

Leadership

Emotional intelligence

Time management

Autonomy

Job description

We now have a continuing opportunity as Development Manager, FMH

As Development Manager, FMH , you will be responsible for raising major financial gifts that will support projects and programs across the University, with a focus of raising funds across your faculty or school, playing a role in managing Faculty relationships. The incumbent will be required to identify and engage high net-worth donor prospects, align their interest and passions to the strategic priorities of the University, and successfully solicit gifts with a value of $100,000 or more. We are looking for the successful candidate to be able to demonstrate their experience in major gifts fundraising in their application.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Development Manager, FMH , who has:

• a background in major gift fundraising, with a demonstrated ability to identify and negotiate $100,000 + gift opportunities
• a strong track record of achievement and meeting stretch financial targets
• demonstrated relationship building and strong leadership skills with the ability to engage internal and external stakeholders
• has highly developed emotional intelligence – you are self-aware with exceptional interpersonal skills
• can work autonomously and is naturally a high-achiever and driven by success both professionally and personally
• has superior time-management, prioritisation and organisation skills.

About us

The Advancement Portfolio strengthens the University’s capacity to deliver world-class education and research through philanthropy, alumni engagement and strategic partnerships. We work collaboratively across the University to build meaningful relationships and create opportunities that generate lasting impact for our communities and society.

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 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 through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

Applications Close

Tuesday 03 November 2026 11:59 PM