Associate Director, Philanthropy

Overview:

• Full-time, Continuing position

• Salary Hew 10A + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements

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

About You

Are you an experienced fundraising leader who thrives on securing transformational gifts and developing high performing teams? As Associate Director, Philanthropy, you will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping RMIT's philanthropic future. You'll manage a portfolio of major donors, lead complex fundraising opportunities from prospecting through to negotiation and stewardship, and partner with senior university leaders to unlock support for research, education and student success.

This is more than a fundraising role. You'll lead and coach a team of college-based fundraisers, build strong connections across the university and help design the future fundraising model for one of Australia's most innovative universities. We're looking for someone with proven higher education fundraising experience, strong relationship-building skills and a passion for leading people to achieve ambitious outcomes.

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

• Highly motivated, with a partnering and continuous improvement mindset, and proven track record in a development and fundraising role in a large organisation.

• Experienced leading a team of experienced philanthropy specialists to deliver on the organisation’s philanthropy plans.

• Demonstrated successful experience in fundraising, with a proven track record of raising gifts in the target range for this role.

• Demonstrated successful commercial acumen and strong planning skills together with proven project management, team and stakeholder management abilities.

• Demonstrated relationship building and negotiation skills with the ability to work effectively with staff, academics, administrators and students as well as external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated excellent written, interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence at varying levels.

• Demonstrated leadership and management of key stakeholders in order to achieve desired outcomes.

• Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to develop innovative and creative solutions.

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 higher education fundraising experience, your experience leading or developing fundraising teams, and a significant major gift achievement that demonstrates your ability to build donor relationships and deliver fundraising outcomes, 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 - Associate Director - Philanthropy

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:

2 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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