Philanthropic Partnerships Manager

Museums Victoria; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Museums Victoria is seeking a Philanthropic Partnerships Manager (Parental Leave) to strengthen its fundraising pipeline. You will identify prospects, qualify opportunities, and coordinate research and donor communications for senior stakeholders.

Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, you will prepare meeting materials, support major accounts, and collaborate across teams to connect donor interests with MV's exhibitions, collections and education programs.

Qualifications

• Relevant relationship-led experience with prospective supporters.
• Strong communication skills, including clear, persuasive materials for diverse audiences.
• Well-developed planning and prioritisation skills to keep multiple prospective relationships moving.

Responsibilities

• Identifying, researching, qualifying and prioritising philanthropic prospects aligned to Museums Victoria's priorities and opportunities.
• Creating and supporting well-prepared prospect, donor and partner meetings, including planning, briefing and follow-up.
• Developing clear prospect materials, proposals, briefing notes and follow-up communications that connect donor interests with Museums Victoria's collections and programs.
• Maintaining pipeline reporting and philanthropy records, including prospect stages, contact reports, meeting outcomes, next actions, risks and opportunities.
• Working collaboratively across Museums Victoria to source project information, test donor fit, and contribute to a high-performing philanthropy team.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication skills

Planning & prioritisation

Job description

PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER (Parental Leave)

Join Museums Victoria's Philanthropy team in a fixed-term parental leave cover role focused on strengthening the organisation's pipeline of future philanthropic support.

ABOUT MUSEUMS VICTORIA:

Ever dreamed of working in a place where dinosaurs roam, stars explode, and the world's most intriguing stories come to life? Welcome to Museums Victoria (MV)-where every day is a new opportunity to create unforgettable experiences. As one of the southern hemisphere's largest and most iconic museum organisations, we're not just about exhibits; we're about engaging, immersive moments that spark curiosity, creativity, and connection.

Home to the awe-inspiring Melbourne Museum, the culturally rich Immigration Museum, the mind-expanding Scienceworks, and the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building, MV is a place where events transform spaces and stories into something truly unmissable. Join a passionate team that brings ideas to life and makes discovery part of everyday experience.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

This fixed-term parental leave cover role will help strengthen Museums Victoria's philanthropic pipeline by expanding qualified prospect activity and supporting strategically important donor and philanthropic partner engagement.

Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, the Philanthropic Partnerships Manager (Parental Leave) will focus on prospect and pipeline development. The role will identify, qualify and progress new philanthropic prospects; coordinate research and approach strategies; prepare compelling meeting materials, reports, and donor communications; and support well-prepared meetings primarily for the Head of Philanthropy and Director, Development and Commercial Operations.

The role will also provide targeted continuity support for agreed major accounts, principal prospects, bequest activity and strategically significant relationships.

Key responsibilities include:

• identifying, researching, qualifying and prioritising philanthropic prospects aligned to Museums Victoria's strategic priorities and agreed fundraising opportunities
• creating and supporting well-prepared prospect, donor and partner meetings, including approach planning, briefing preparation, internal coordination and timely follow-up
• developing clear and compelling prospect materials, proposals, briefing notes and follow-up communications that connect donor interests with Museums Victoria's collections, research, exhibitions, education and First Peoples work
• maintaining disciplined pipeline reporting and philanthropy records, including prospect stage, contact reports, meeting outcomes, next actions, risks, dependencies and opportunities to deepen engagement and support
• working collaboratively across Museums Victoria to source project information, test donor fit, shape credible opportunities for support, elevate risks and contribute to a coordinated, high-performing philanthropy team culture.

NOTABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful applicant will bring experience in prospect development, philanthropic fundraising, partnerships, relationship development or a comparable relationship-led environment. They will be confident identifying and qualifying opportunities, preparing senior stakeholders for strategically important meetings and maintaining the discipline required to progress prospective supporters from early interest to meaningful engagement.

Notable skills and experience include:

• Relevant relationship-led experience, with sound judgement in identifying and qualifying prospective supporters.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, persuasive and audience-appropriate materials.
• Well-developed planning and prioritisation skills, with the discipline to keep multiple prospective relationships moving.

OTHER INFORMATION

This is a fixed-term, full-time position until 29 October 2027. 0.8 FTE will be considered. The salary on offer is aligned with VPS Grade 5, Value Range 1, plus superannuation.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check and Working with Children Check and be assessed as suitable; new employees are required to meet this cost.

Museums Victoria is strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children within our venues and through engagement in our outreach programs. We create and maintain a child safe environment. The welfare of children is a top priority, and we have zero tolerance for child abuse.

Museums Victoria embraces diversity and inclusion. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process and a supportive workplace.