Development Manager (Major Gifts)

Macquarie University; Sydney; On-site; AUD 126,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation

Subsidised onsite parking options

Flexible working options

Training and professional development

Onsite childcare facilities

Discounted health insurance (Medibank)

Onsite vacation care

Employee Assistance Program

Subsidised membership at the Sport & A

Onsite GP, imaging & physio clinics

Job summary

Macquarie University seeks a Development Manager (Major Gifts) to lead major donor fundraising and manage a personal portfolio. The role focuses on cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors to support university priorities.

The position emphasises building long-term donor relationships, working with internal stakeholders, and achieving targets for gifts of $100k+. Based at North Ryde, it offers a competitive salary and strong benefits.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of advancement functions, including major gifts.
• Experience managing a portfolio and making asks of $100k+.
• Knowledge of project management principles.
• Strong communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Grow sustainable philanthropic revenue through Major Gifts.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward a personal portfolio of prospects and donors.
• Collaborate with fundraising and alumni engagement across University.
• Develop and implement engagement strategies to meet KPIs.
• Analyse donor trends and report on program effectiveness.
• Provide guidance on major-donor fundraising techniques.

Skills

Major gifts experience

Portfolio management

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Written briefing docs

Education

Tertiary qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database software

Job description

Macquarie University is seeking a Development Manager (Major Gifts) to join the University's advancement function.

Salary $126,306 - $140,543 (HEW Level 8) plus 17% employer’s superannuation contribution and annual leave loading.

Based at Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde.

About the Role

Directly responsible for generating philanthropic revenue to support the University's strategic priorities, this position plays a pivotal role in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major donors, contributing to a sustainable and growing pipeline of philanthropic support.

Macquarie University's Philanthropy & Alumni Relations team works to build meaningful, lasting connections between the University and the people who believe in what it stands for. With a global alumni community of more than 257,000 graduates and a growing culture of philanthropic support, we are expanding our major gifts capability and looking for an experienced Development Manager to join us.

Key Responsibilities

• Grow sustainable, long-term philanthropic revenue for the University through Major Gifts.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward a personal portfolio of prospects and donors.
• Identify opportunities for alignment and collaboration between other fundraising and alumni engagement activities across the wider Philanthropy and Alumni Relations Office and the University.
• Develop, implement and review engagement strategies and plans, and achieve set KPIs based on meeting targets, outreach efforts, and solicitations of gifts.
• Work strategically with colleagues across the Development function and, where appropriate, leaders of academic and professional units, to secure significant philanthropic commitments to the University with a focus on gifts of $100k+.
• Analyse and report on prospects and donor trends, making recommendations for continuous improvement of program strategy and processes.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on major donors fundraising, solicitation and engagement techniques to develop long-term relationships with major donors.
• Build and manage collaborative relationships with key internal stakeholders across the University to understand their strengths and identify areas to leverage their involvement with fundraising opportunities.
• Work closely with colleagues across Philanthropy and Alumni Relations to support the identification of emerging opportunities, technologies, and audiences to expand programs and build donor pipelines.

About You (Selection Criteria)

Tertiary qualification and/or equivalent relevant experience.

Knowledge of advancement functions, including major gifts.

Experience of managing a portfolio including making asks of more than $100,000.

Knowledge of project management principles.

Awareness of and sensitivity to a diverse range of stakeholders.

Knowledge of and competence in Microsoft Office and database software.

Significant experience managing and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders and donors.

Demonstrated ability to influence decision making, including with senior stakeholders.

Experience managing projects.

Sound commercial acumen.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including experience writing briefing documentation for senior management.

Experience conducting research and analysis.

Please note that this position will require a criminal record check.

Work hours may vary from time to time to accommodate business needs.

This position is not available for visa sponsorship, and the successful applicant must have valid work rights in Australia.

Why join us?

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives.

Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university.

Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community.

Connect with us today.

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index.

Benefits and Perks

• 17% Superannuation
• Subsidised onsite parking options
• Flexible working options
• Training and professional development
• Onsite childcare facilities
• Discounted health insurance (Medibank)
• Onsite vacation care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Subsidised membership at the Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Onsite GP, imaging & physio clinics

Pre-Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity.

Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

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

Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work.

We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community.

Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.

Flexible Work

At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University.

See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace.

Other Details

Applications Close: 22 November 2026.