Learning Lead - Donor Experience

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 123,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Health and wellbeing programs

Discounted services

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

The University of Melbourne is seeking a Donor Relations Manager to lead donor engagement and stewardship across major gifts. You will design bespoke donor experiences, work with diverse stakeholders, and drive philanthropy within a leading research university.

Key duties include managing donor portfolios, reporting impact, and developing stewardship frameworks. A tertiary qualification with relevant experience and strong communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in donor or stakeholder relations.
• Strong communication abilities in complex environments.
• Ability to think strategically and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy.
• Experience delivering donor, membership or loyalty programs.

Responsibilities

• Manage Donor Portfolios: deliver tailored donor relations strategies, including gift acknowledgment, communications and impact reporting.
• Design Engagement Experiences to deepen connections with the University.
• Collaborate Across Teams with fundraisers, leadership, and faculties.
• Develop Stewardship Frameworks for principal and major gift donors.

Skills

Relationship management

Donor/stakeholder relations

Excellent communication skills

Strategic thinking

Attention to detail

Education

Tertiary qualification with significant relevant work experience in donor/stakeholder relations

Job description

Role type: Full Time; Fixed Term until 1st of March 2027
Department: Advancement, Communications & Marketing
Salary: $122,736- $132,847 p.a. plus 17% super

• Design bespoke donor experiences, enhance philanthropic impact and drive strategic donor engagement
• Lead innovative donor relations strategies that will inspire generosity and deepen connections at one of the world's leading universities
• Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity
As a Donor Relations Manager at the University of Melbourne, you'll be at the forefront of developing and implementing strategies to inspire and engage major and principal gift donors. You'll have the opportunity to design bespoke donor experiences, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and play a crucial role in nurturing a culture of philanthropy. Your work will directly impact the university's ability to achieve its philanthropic goals, making this a key position for those passionate about donor stewardship and higher education advancement.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Manage Donor Portfolios: Deliver tailored donor relations strategies for significant supporters, including gift acknowledgment, communications, and impact reporting.
• Design Engagement Experiences: Create and implement meaningful donor experiences that deepen connections to the university.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work closely with fundraisers, leadership, and faculty to deliver cohesive donor engagement activities.
• Develop Stewardship Frameworks: Contribute to strategic development of stewardship approaches for principal and major gift donors.

You may be a great fit if:

You are an experienced relationship manager with a strong background in donor or stakeholder relations, excellent communication skills, and a passion for nurturing philanthropic connections in a complex higher education environment.

You may also:

• Have a tertiary qualification with significant relevant work experience in donor or stakeholder relations.
• Demonstrate experience in delivering donor, membership, or loyalty programs.
• Show ability to think strategically and manage complex stakeholder relationships.
• Exhibit close attention to detail and high standards of accuracy in work.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you!
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfillment, including:

• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

The Advancement Office aims to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of mutually beneficial relationships between the University and its alumni, friends and benefactors. It is responsible for the management of programs relating to alumni and benefactors and provides services to and works collaboratively with faculties and other central administration areas.

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to thrive regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, being a parent or having caring responsibilities.

The University of Melbourne is committed to fostering a barrier-free and inclusive recruitment process. We are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates throughout the application and interview stages, including accessible document formats and alternative application methods. To discuss your specific requirements, please feel free to contact Bec Tucker – or send an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments' to . You can find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments on our Careers website:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our Indigenous strategy please visit -

If you are a member of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community and would like any support, please feel free to contact our Indigenous Employment & Development team via email at .

Working at the University – what you need to know
This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a Working with Children Check The successful candidate can apply for the WWCC as part of the onboarding process. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

Applications close: 22 August :55 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) / Melbourne time zone.

Please note that you are not required to respond to the selection criteria in the Position Description.