Head of Donor Engagement

ExecThread, Inc.; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ExecThread, Inc. in Australia seeks a Head of Donor Engagement to drive a major gifts program focused on climate solutions.

You will design strategies to engage new donors, build a robust pipeline of prospective philanthropists, and move multi-million-dollar commitments from vision to reality. Reporting to the Founding Executive Director, you will shape systems, intelligence, and relationships, oversee prospect research, and work across operations to grow the advisory practice.

Qualifications

• Background in major gifts, philanthropy or donor strategy.
• Experience with climate/environment philanthropy a plus.
• Track record in building donor pipelines and major commitments.

Responsibilities

• Develop donor profiles, relationship maps and engagement strategies.
• Lead the prospect research strategy to identify high-potential donors.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to grow the advisory practice.

Skills

Major gifts

Donor strategy

Prospect research

Relationship maps

Strategic thinking

Hands-on execution

Organizational skills

Collaborative mindset

Job description

Greater Melbourne, Australia Area (Hybrid)

Locations

• Greater Melbourne, Australia Area (Hybrid)
• Greater Sydney, Australia Area (Hybrid)

The Company is seeking a Head of Donor Engagement to play a pivotal role in the organization’s mission to accelerate high-impact climate giving. The successful candidate will be responsible for devising and implementing strategies to engage new donors in the climate and environment space, with a focus on building a robust pipeline of prospective major philanthropists. This role is not about traditional fundraising; instead, it involves shaping the systems, intelligence, and relationships that lead to multi-million-dollar philanthropic commitments to high-impact climate solutions. The Head of Donor Engagement will work closely with the Founding Executive Director, acting as a strategic and operational right hand, and will be instrumental in the growth of the advisory practice.

Applicants for the Head of Donor Engagement position at the company should have a background in major gifts, philanthropy, development, donor strategy, family office, philanthropic advisory, or a related field. The role requires a candidate with a genuine passion for climate and environmental impact, and a strong belief in the role philanthropy can play in addressing the climate crisis.

Key responsibilities include developing donor profiles, relationship maps, and engagement strategies, as well as leading the prospect research strategy. The ideal candidate will have exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to move between strategic thinking and hands-on execution. A collaborative, low-ego approach, and the ability to act as a thought partner to a senior leader, are also essential.

Functions

• Non-Profit Management
• Business Development

Well-established membership organization for environmental philanthropy