Development Advisor (Trusts & Foundations)

Overview:

• Full-time, Continuing position

• $107,747 - $116,630 + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements

• Based at the Melbourne CBD campus, and hybrid ways of working

About You

Do you enjoy turning great ideas into successful funding outcomes? As Development Advisor, Philanthropy, you'll manage a portfolio of trusts and foundations, helping secure philanthropic investment that supports research, scholarships and initiatives that create real impact. Working across the full funding lifecycle, you'll identify opportunities, develop compelling grant submissions and build lasting relationships with funding partners.

Joining a specialist trusts and foundations focus area, you'll work closely with philanthropy leaders, researchers and the Research & Innovation teams to strengthen RMIT's approach to philanthropic grant funding. We're looking for a skilled relationship builder with strong grant writing capabilities, experience managing funding processes and the ability to collaborate across complex stakeholder groups to deliver outstanding results.

To be successful in this position, you’ll have:

• Demonstrated experience working in donor engagement and relationship management, knowledge of philanthropy and fundraising best practices and the Australian philanthropic environment.

• Experience with relationship development and negotiation to develop partnerships with internal and external partners to advance the aims of the organisation.

• Experience and success working in a KPI driven environment.

• Demonstrated experience using CRM software to maintain accurate records and reporting.

• Strong communication skills for a wide range of audiences with demonstrated attention to detail.

• Excellent organisational and time management skills, including high attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.

About the Portfolio

The Engagement Portfolio provides integrated, strategic leadership across the University to advance RMIT’s reputation, reach, and revenue, encompassing a range of functions, including domestic and international student recruitment; global marketing; market intelligence and proposition, strategic communications; Advancement (alumni engagement, philanthropy, donor stewardship and donor relations, and Advancement Services); and industry engagement and partnerships.

Through innovation, collaboration, and strategic partnerships, the Engagement Portfolio plays a critical role in diversifying revenue streams and expanding RMIT’s presence in alignment with its long-term strategic objectives.

Advancement develops and leads the engagement of the University’s largest community, the alumni (c. 550,000), leads fundraising in support of institutional priorities and stewards donors and alumni to generate measurable impact.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your experience managing trusts and foundations or grant funding portfolios, your grant writing and stakeholder engagement experience, and a funding or grant achievement that demonstrates your ability to secure successful outcomes and build effective partnerships, by clicking the 'Apply' link at the top of this page.

For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor, Guy Toogood via email [email protected]. 

Position Description - Development Advisor

Please note, if you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to RMIT's Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page. Due to recent upgrades, position description links may not work on LinkedIn advertisements.  

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Applications Close:

9 Aug 2026 11.59 pm

RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. 

 

In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.  All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence.  Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations.

 

At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via [email protected] or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers.

 

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