Development & Partnerships Manager

LA BOITE THEATRE; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 56,000 - 84,000; Part time

Job summary

La Boite Theatre is seeking a Partnerships & Development Manager to lead philanthropy, sponsorships, grants and strategic partnerships, reporting to the Executive Director & Co-CEO. The role combines strategic relationship development with hands-on fundraising campaigns and supporter engagement.

You will work closely with the Co-CEOs, Board and artistic team to create compelling opportunities for individuals, businesses and funding partners to support La Boite's artistic ambitions and long-term

Qualifications

• Experience securing income through philanthropy, corporate sponsorship, grants or partnerships.
• Ability to identify opportunities, cultivate relationships and convert prospects into support.
• Excellent written communication and persuasive proposals, funding applications and cases for support.
• Strong pipeline management, reporting, and deadline-driven work.

Responsibilities

• Develop fundraising plans, donor campaigns and giving initiatives to grow revenue.
• Identify, secure and steward corporate sponsors and strategic partners.
• Build and maintain strong donor relationships with individuals, businesses and funding partners.
• Identify funding opportunities, coordinate grant applications and manage reporting and obligations.
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop compelling cases for support and fundraising communications.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Corporate sponsorship

Grants

Partnerships

Storytelling

Job description

Help build the partnerships that make great theatre possible.

Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre is seeking a creative, connected and commercially minded Partnerships & Development Manager to bring people and organisations together through a shared love of theatre.

This part-time opportunity (0.8FTE, equivalent to four days per week) will see you working closely with our leadership team, artists and supporters to build meaningful relationships with donors, businesses and community partners, creating imaginative, mutually beneficial opportunities that deepen their connection with La Boite.

For more than a century, La Boite has been making bold theatre, championing extraordinary artists and inviting audiences to see the world differently.

Established in 1925 and based at Brisbane's iconic Roundhouse Theatre, La Boite is one of Australia's oldest continuously operating theatre companies.

We're entering an important new chapter, with a refreshed strategic direction and organisational structure designed to strengthen our foundations, support our artistic ambitions and build a resilient La Boite for generations to come.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director & Co-CEO, the Development & Partnerships Manager will lead La Boite's philanthropy, sponsorship, grants and strategic partnerships activities.

Working closely with the Co-CEOs, Board and artistic team, you'll develop compelling opportunities for individuals, businesses and funding partners to support La Boite's artistic ambitions and long-term sustainability.

This is a hands-on role combining strategic relationship development with the practical delivery of fundraising campaigns, partnership proposals and supporter engagement.

You'll be responsible for:

• Philanthropy and fundraising:Develop and implement fundraising plans, donor campaigns and giving initiatives that grow philanthropic revenue and deepen supporter engagement.
• Corporate partnerships:Identify, cultivate and secure corporate sponsors and strategic partners, developing tailored proposals that deliver meaningful value for both parties.
• Donor relationships:Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective donors, creating thoughtful cultivation and stewardship opportunities.
• Government grants and funding:Identify funding opportunities, coordinate grant applications and manage reporting, acquittals and funding obligations.
• Campaigns and storytelling:Work with Marketing to develop compelling cases for support and fundraising communications that demonstrate La Boite's artistic and community impact.
• Revenue and pipeline management:Maintain an active prospect pipeline, monitor fundraising performance and manage partnership agreements, commitments and renewals.

Please note: As a working theatre company, La Boite operates beyond standard business hours and some evening and weekend work will be required to support productions and events.

About You

We're looking for a confident relationship-builder who combines commercial judgement with a genuine appreciation for the value of arts and culture.

Experience in arts fundraising or development will be highly regarded, although we welcome candidates with relevant experience from the broader not-for-profit, corporate partnerships and fundraising sectors.

You’ll bring:

• Demonstrated experience securing income through philanthropy, corporate sponsorship, grants, partnerships or related development activities.
• A proven ability to identify opportunities, cultivate relationships and convert prospects into financial support.
• Excellent written communication and presentation skills, including the ability to develop persuasive proposals, funding applications and cases for support.
• Strong organisational skills and experience managing prospect pipelines, agreements, reporting requirements and deadlines.
• Commercial acumen and confidence engaging with donors, business leaders, government representatives and senior stakeholders.
• A proactive, collaborative approach and the ability to work independently to achieve results.

La Boite welcomes applications from people of diverse backgrounds and experiences and is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace.