Senior Manager - Individual and Community Giving

• Based at our Melbourne, Burwood Campus + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and continuing
• $143,627 - $152,229 (HEW 9) + 17% superannuation

Ready to make a lasting impact? Join Deakin as Senior Manager, Individual & Community Giving and lead innovative fundraising campaigns that inspire giving, grow donor communities and deliver sustainable philanthropic growth. Using data, strategy and creativity, you'll strengthen donor relationships, build long-term supporter value and help unlock the future of philanthropy at Deakin.

The role will be tightly focused on developing and expanding the community of donors who support key Deakin initiatives. Priority areas include support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, Deakin’s Humanitarian Initiative and Marine Restoration Centre, as well as our work in wildlife conservation, CREATE (Centre for Refugee Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education), mental health initiatives and women’s health. 

Make an Impact:

• Contribute to a culture of giving that enables transformational outcomes for the University and its communities.
• Drive sustainable growth in philanthropic income and donor participation to support Deakin's strategic priorities.
• Foster meaningful, long-term relationships with alumni, staff, supporters and the wider community by strengthening and growing Deakin’s Individual and Community Giving program.
• Strengthen Deakin's philanthropic pipeline by identifying and nurturing future regular, major, mid-level and bequest donors and maximising synergies between these and the Individual and Community Giving program.
• Grow donor lifetime value through strategic donor experience - onboarding, engagement, conversion, upgrade and reactivation journeys.
• Use data, insights, testing and best practice to create donor-centred fundraising experiences that maximise long-term impact. 

Why you will love this Role:

• Lead the strategy and delivery of a sophisticated, multi-channel fundraising program with significant growth potential.
• Shape innovative campaigns across digital, social media, direct mail, telemarketing, Giving Days, peer-to-peer fundraising, regular giving and workplace giving.
• Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders across the University to influence decisions and deliver meaningful outcomes.
• Combine bold, big-picture thinking with hands-on execution in a role that offers the potential for significant strategic and operational impact.
• Use testing, segmentation and performance insights to continually improve fundraising effectiveness and return on investment.
• Join a collaborative and high-performing Advancement team committed to innovation, growth, continuous improvement and quality supporter engagement.
• Develop and mentor team members while helping shape the future direction of Deakin's fundraising programs.

What you will Deliver:

• High-performing fundraising strategies across acquisition, retention and upgrade.
• Integrated campaigns that grow donor numbers, income and engagement.
• Data-driven donor journeys, segmentation and performance improvements.
• Strong post-campaign analysis, with insights and learnings embedded into future activity.
• Strong stakeholder collaboration and alignment across the University.
• Effective use of CRM, fundraising platforms and digital tools to support scalable growth and improved donor experiences.
• A stronger philanthropic pipeline through donor identification and stewardship.

What Success Looks Like:

Success in this role will mean a growing and increasingly engaged donor community, stronger retention and lifetime value, sustainable growth in philanthropic income, and a clearer understanding of the audiences, channels and journeys driving Deakin’s future fundraising growth.

You may be a great fit for this role if you have:

• Postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience; or equivalent combination of experience and/or education/training
• Extensive experience in Individual Giving, Community Giving, Annual Giving or mass fundraising, including the planning and delivery of integrated multi-channel donor acquisition, retention and growth programs.
• A contemporary knowledge of fundraising practice and an appetite to test, learn and continuously improve by using data, segmentation and performance insights.
• Proven ability to build trusted and productive relationships across fundraising (major gifts, mid-level, Trust & Foundations), Donor Relations, Gifts in Wills, Operations, Campaign, Alumni, Marketing and Communications teams, as well as with external agencies and suppliers.

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience by clicking 'Apply now'.

Want to Know More?

Click here for more information about Advancement at Deakin. For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Rachel Weston, Associate Director, Donor Experience via Rachel.weston@deakin.edu.au using the subject line: Senior Manager - Individual and Community Giving enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For a copy of the position description, please see below in the attachments section.

Applications for this position close at 11.55pm on the advertised closing date. Please note that only candidates with full working rights in Australia will be considered for this position.

What we Offer/Benefits or working with us

At Deakin, you'll be supported to thrive both professionally and personally. We offer flexible working arrangements, competitive salary and superannuation benefits, wellbeing initiatives, generous leave provisions, and professional development opportunities to help you achieve your career goals. Join a collaborative and inclusive community that values innovation, flexibility, diversity, and making a positive impact through education, research, and engagement. To find out more, read more here!

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a globally recognised university committed to making a positive impact through education, research and innovation. Our success is driven by our people, and we're dedicated to creating a workplace where individuals feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work.

We offer a collaborative and inclusive culture, opportunities for professional growth, and the flexibility to balance work and life. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Pre-employment safety and suitability checks: In accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, appointment to this role is subject to successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working With Children Checks and candidate gender-based violence declarations.

Deakin is committed to fostering a safe and respectful workplace and learning environment for everyone. In line with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, applicants may be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a Working with Children Check and relevant declarations.

All disclosures will be handled sensitively, confidentially and in accordance with Deakin's obligations to maintain a safe community.

A position description is attached.