Head of Development

Griffin Theatre Company; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Griffin Theatre Company is seeking a Head of Development to maintain and grow our fundraising income across individual donors, trusts, foundations, and corporate sponsors. You will lead the Public Appeal for the Capital Campaign and work with our Board and development team to steward a broad network of supporters as Griffin moves toward the building re-opening in mid-2027.

You will manage contractors, coordinate with departments, and develop donor journeys and stewardship plans to ensure ongoing

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow Griffin’s fundraising income across individual donors, trusts & foundations, corporate sponsors, and government funding where applicable.
• Manage and deliver the Capital Campaign Public Appeal, ensuring broad donor engagement and successful funding outcomes.
• Develop and implement donor stewardship plans and a donor journey for all donor programs.
• Oversee Griffin’s Development Plan, board engagement, and related contractors to meet fundraising objectives.
• Coordinate with Griffin departments and external consultants to execute integrated fundraising campaigns and events.

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

Griffin’s Head of Development is responsible for maintaining and growing Griffin’s fundraising income – a major source of revenue for the company. This includes creating opportunities to engage a broad range of supporters: individual donors, trusts and foundations, corporate sponsors and at times assisting with government funding. The Head of Development plays a leading role in creating and strengthening a culture of philanthropy across the company and amongst Griffin’s primary stakeholders.

A key focus for the next six months will be managing the Public Appeal for the Capital Campaign, ensuring a broad net of support is secured to support the final push of the campaign ahead of the building re-opening in mid-2027. This is an opportunity to engage Griffin’s family of donors, subscribers and community members to be part of the next phase of Griffin Theatre, as well as best practice stewardship and engagement.

Griffin has an active, effective and supportive Board committee structure that works closely with the Executive Director and the Head of Development on achieving the company’s development goals, particularly in relation to the Capital Campaign and Griffin’s annual giving programs.

Key Criteria for Success:

• In the first 12 months in the role, the successful candidate will have:
• Met or exceeded targets for annual giving and the capital public campaign.
• Met with all major donors $10K and over and have developed stewardship plans for each.
• A donor journey mapped for all donor programs.
• Reviewed and updated Griffin’s Development Plan.
• Developed and delivered the Public Appeal for the Capital Campaign.
• Built relations with and ensured an active and engaged Fundraising Committee.

Key Internal Relationships:

• The Head of Development works with the Executive Director, Artistic Director and Artistic & Programming team to identify strategic fundraising objectives and ensure objectives are met.
• The Head of Development works with the Fundraising Subcommittee of the Board of Directors to develop and secure new development opportunities.
• The Head of Development manages the development team and related contractors including Griffin’s external capital campaign consultants, design agency for fundraising campaigns and branding, and other consultants as required, ensuring they develop and implement integrated strategies and meet agreed performance measures.
• The Development team works with the Front of House Manager in the coordination and delivery of events.
• The Head of Development engages with all Griffin departments to ensure effective communication with all stakeholders including, but not limited to staff, subscribers, patrons, donors and sponsors.

Key External Relationships:

• Griffin’s family of subscribers, patrons, donors and sponsors.
• Philanthropic trusts and foundations.
• Government funding agencies.