Join the Executive leadership team at Australian Wildlife Conservancy in this career-defining opportunity to lead a significant national team across all fundraising channels and support functions, with an emphasis on national and global philanthropy.

• Executive leadership opportunity to accelerate growth with innovative fundraising strategies, to meet ambitious expansion and growth goals, with a focus on philanthropy.
• Reporting to the CEO and working in close collaboration with the Board and with national and global philanthropic communities, this is a remarkable opportunity for an executive leader with extensive strategic experience, proven success securing major gifts, and a deep passion for wildlife conservation.
• Opportunity to travel to iconic regions across Australia supporting vital conservation priorities. Sydney or Melbourne locations considered.

Impact of the organisation

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is the largest private non-profit owner of land for conservation in Australia.

They protect endangered wildlife in iconic regions across Australia such as the Kimberley, Cape York, the Top End and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. With a focus on practical land management, informed by world-class science, AWC is implementing a dynamic new model for conservation.

AWC’s mission - to deliver effective conservation for all native animal species and their habitats and this is achieved by:

• Operations - delivering effective large-scale land management including fire management, feral animal control, weed control and infrastructure management.
  
• Science - delivering a nationally coherent program of ecological surveys with a focus on monitoring key conservation assets and threats, conducting applied research relevant to wildlife conservation, implementing conservation programs including reintroductions, and providing advice to management.
  
• Fundraising - mobilising donations from the general public and philanthropists through effective communication of AWC conservation programs.

Impact you will have in the role

Reporting to the CEO, working closely with the Board and with national and global philanthropic communities, you will have the opportunity to lead, influence and manage AWC’s fundraising efforts and apply innovative strategies to grow and diversity funding to achieve AWC’s ambitious and impactful strategic goals. This includes scaling support on a national and international basis to enhance the protection of Australia’s biodiversity, enabling strategic land acquisitions, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability through strong donor relationships.

We are searching for a senior leader who will join the Executive leadership team at AWC to lead and inspire a national team and philanthropy program, with an emphasis on high level and principal giving.

This is a career-defining executive leadership opportunity to ensure revenue generation alignment with AWC’s strategic goals, with targets set for expanding conservation efforts across 5% of Australia's landmass by 2035.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of AWC’s philanthropy strategy to meet growth targets essential for achieving strategic conservation goals, and engage with high-net-worth individuals, philanthropic foundations, and corporate sponsors to secure long-term, high-impact funding for AWC’s conservation priorities
• Strengthen AWC’s international reach by engaging with global communities, particularly in the US and Europe, to raise awareness and secure international philanthropic support
• Develop and oversee major fundraising campaigns, such as those supporting transformational land acquisitions and projects aimed at future-proofing Australia’s biodiversity
• Work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to ensure philanthropic and commercial programs are aligned with AWC’s overall revenue goals
• Oversee the donor engagement strategy and enhance fundraising programs across individual giving, bequests, and major gifts to ensure structured and sustainable donor engagement
• Establish and grow the Australian Wildlife Endowment Fund to support effective, long-term conservation
• Lead coach and mentor a high-performing national fundraising team, ensuring alignment with AWC’s values and strategic objectives and promote a collaborative and high-performing culture
• Budget and reporting responsibility across the fundraising program, reporting on performance to the board as a member of the Executive team

Skills and Experience

• Significant experience in leading the development of ambitious and diversified long-term revenue generating strategies with a focus on philanthropic growth
• Demonstrated success leading a diverse fundraising program, with proven experience securing large multi-year philanthropic support and leading donor acquisition and engagement across multiple fundraising channels
• Proven success engaging with inspiring senior leaders, philanthropists and foundations, with expertise directly influencing significant growth of a philanthropy program
• An inspirational leadership style, with success leading a team through strategic fundraising initiatives that meet fundraising goals promoting a high-performing and collaborative culture
• Ability to lead collaborative relationships with high levels of emotional intelligence, to develop strong relationships with your team, peers, donors and stakeholders at all levels
• A strategic mindset, with the ability to collaborate with others to influence the implementation of growth across the fundraising portfolio and to drive for results on a national and global scale
• Excellent high-level communication and influencing skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions
• High level budget management capabilities with experience in reporting on fundraising performance at Executive level
• The ability to travel extensively to AWC sanctuaries, capital cities, and international markets
• A genuine interest in AWC’s mission and passion for wildlife conservation

Applications

Please apply by uploading your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Chief Philanthropy Officer - Australian Wildlife Conservancy - Melbourne enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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