Head of Sector Development & Innovation

The Minderoo Foundation; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Minderoo Foundation seeks an experienced Head of Sector Development & Innovation to shape the next phase of its sector-building work in Australia. You will lead initiatives that strengthen networks, invest in shared research, tools and platforms, and collaborate with philanthropy, NGOs and social enterprise to advance shared priorities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Effective Philanthropy, you will identify emerging opportunities, translate strategic direction into practical actions,

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of the Australian for-purpose sector and its policy, funding and operating environment.
• Proven initiative with a track record turning strategy into practical outcomes.
• Experience developing or evolving strategies using evidence and stakeholder perspectives.
• Ability to recognise emerging opportunities and translate ideas into initiatives.
• Experience building partnerships across organisations with different interests.
• Understanding that networks and shared infrastructure strengthen the sector beyond any one organisation.
• Strong strategic thinking and judgement, with ability to prioritise and adapt approaches.
• Excellent communication skills to translate insights into proposals and resources.
• Commitment to creating opportunities for new and smaller organisations to contribute.

Responsibilities

• Shape future priorities: Build on the first phase of our sector development work, using evidence, learning and sector perspectives to develop future priorities and initiatives.
• Identify emerging opportunities: Scan for trends and new ideas, recognising where collaboration, innovation or reform could strengthen the sector.
• Turn opportunities into action: Develop and deliver initiatives with clear outcomes, building support and maintaining momentum from concept through to implementation.
• Strengthen networks and shared infrastructure: Develop partnerships and investments in organisations, research, tools and platforms that support the wider sector.
• Advance practical innovation: Work with partners to test new approaches to growing giving, accessing funding and collaborating on common priorities.
• Build relationships that enable change: Bring together organisations with different perspectives and interests, building trust and securing commitment to collective action.
• Influence the broader environment: Advance opportunities to improve the policy, funding and operating conditions that shape sector effectiveness and sustainability.
• Learn and adapt: Track progress, share useful insights and make informed decisions about what to continue, adapt, expand or stop.

Skills

Sector knowledge

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Communication

Policy/funding environment

Tools

Job description

The Opportunity

A stronger for-purpose sector can achieve more for Australia's communities and environment. Building that strength requires ideas, relationships and the ability to turn shared ambition into practical change.

Minderoo is seeking an experienced leader to shape and deliver the next phase of our sector development and field building work.

Building on the first phase of this work, you will work with sector partners to identify emerging opportunities and develop initiatives that benefit the wider sector. You will lead work to strengthen the organisations, networks and shared infrastructure that support the for-purpose sector. This includes investing in shared research, tools and platforms that help organisations access funding, learn from each other and work together on common priorities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Effective Philanthropy, you will connect people and ideas across philanthropy, community organisations, social enterprise and the broader for-purpose sector. You will combine trusted relationships with strategic judgement and practical delivery to strengthen capability, grow giving and advance new approaches.

We are looking for someone who takes initiative, sees possibilities and builds the support needed to make change happen.

About the Role

As Head of Sector Development & Innovation, you will:

• Shape future priorities: Build on the first phase of our sector development work, using evidence, learning and sector perspectives to develop future priorities and initiatives.
• Identify emerging opportunities: Scan for trends and new ideas, recognising where collaboration, innovation or reform could strengthen the sector.
• Turn opportunities into action: Develop and deliver initiatives with clear outcomes, building support and maintaining momentum from concept through to implementation.
• Strengthen networks and shared infrastructure: Develop partnerships and investments in organisations, research, tools and platforms that support the wider sector.
• Advance practical innovation: Work with partners to test new approaches to growing giving, accessing funding and collaborating on common priorities.
• Build relationships that enable change: Bring together organisations with different perspectives and interests, building trust and securing commitment to collective action.
• Influence the broader environment: Advance opportunities to improve the policy, funding and operating conditions that shape sector effectiveness and sustainability.
• Learn and adapt: Track progress, share useful insights and make informed decisions about what to continue, adapt, expand or stop.

You will also collaborate across Minderoo's teams and partners to connect relevant work and represent Minderoo in sector forums and public discussions.

About You

You are a credible and resourceful leader who combines a strong understanding of Australia's for-purpose sector with a record of initiating and delivering change.

You build trust across different perspectives, challenge established approaches constructively and know how to move from discussion to action. You are comfortable working with ambiguity, exercising judgement and progressing work with a high degree of autonomy.

You will bring:

• Strong knowledge of the Australian for-purpose sector and the policy, funding and operating environment that shapes it.
• A demonstrated record of taking initiative and translating strategic direction into practical outcomes.
• Experience developing or evolving strategies, using evidence and stakeholder perspectives to make choices about where to focus.
• The ability to recognise emerging opportunities, turn ideas into initiatives and apply learning from testing new approaches.
• Experience building partnerships and support for change across organisations with different interests.
• An understanding of how networks and shared infrastructure can strengthen the sector beyond the growth or success of any one organisation.
• Strong strategic thinking and sound judgement, including the ability to prioritise and recognise when a different approach is needed.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to make complex ideas clear and translate insights into persuasive proposals and practical resources.
• A commitment to creating opportunities for new and smaller organisations to contribute, access resources and influence shared priorities.

Your experience may span philanthropy, sector development, social impact, advocacy, public policy, systems change, community development or a related field. We are interested in what you have initiated, what you have delivered and what you have learned along the way.

Why Minderoo

This role offers the opportunity to build on an established foundation while shaping what comes next.

You will work with a broad network of partners and alongside colleagues tackling complex social and environmental challenges. You will bring forward ideas, build collaborations and deliver work that supports organisations and strengthens the infrastructure on which the sector depends.

For a leader motivated by both possibility and delivery, this is an opportunity to create impact beyond a single organisation.

About Minderoo

Minderoo Foundation takes on tough, persistent issues with the potential to drive meaningful change. We incubate ideas, advocate for systems change and accelerate impact. We are proudly Australian, independent and forward-thinking, working towards a fairer future through collaborative action.

We encourage applications from leaders who combine sector insight, initiative and the ability to turn ideas and relationships into meaningful change.