Head of Partnerships & Philanthropy
Join Canteen and help change the lives of young people impacted by Cancer.
- Drive the leadership and growth of our corporate partnerships and philanthropy portfolios.
- Join a highly motivated team in a culture of Fundraising excellence and love what you do!
- Based in Sydney; hybrid flexibility.
- Permanent, full-time position
Our commitment
Canteen acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First Peoples and sovereign custodians of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Canteen is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and people of all ages. We welcome all people including those from diverse backgrounds, faiths, sexual orientation and/or gender identities.
About us
Canteen is all about supporting young people and their families affected by cancer. Founded by young cancer patients, we offer access to life-changing medical treatments and in-hospital care, specialised cancer counselling and programs and resources that truly make a difference for these 12-25 year-olds. Our flagship campaign – Bandanna Day – has been engaging Australians for over 30 years!
At Canteen, our supporters are central to everything we do—and the Head of Partnerships & Philanthropy plays a vital role in connecting their generosity with life-changing outcomes for young people impacted by cancer. As a key member of both the Senior Leadership Team and the Marketing & Fundraising Leadership Team, this role is pivotal in contributing to the strategic direction of Canteen and helping achieve our ambitious strategic objective of delivering over 1 million meaningful touchpoints to young people facing cancer over the next 4 years.
The Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy leads the strategy, stewardship, and growth of Canteen’s Corporate Partnerships, Major Giving, and Trusts and Foundations portfolios. This role inspires and empowers a team of high-performing professionals to deliver exceptional results by building deep, values-aligned relationships with supporters. By leveraging Canteen’s unique mission and impact, the Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy secures sustainable funding that drives real outcomes for young people impacted by cancer. Reporting to the Executive Director, Marketing & Fundraising, this role is instrumental in accelerating Canteen’s growth and ensuring lasting supporter engagement.
About our benefits
We connect, we empower, we challenge, and we are real. These values ground the way we work at Canteen, and underpin a culture that brings people together in an inspiring and positive way. Find out more on our LinkedIn Life Page.
- Base Salary + Superannuation + Not-For-Profit Salary Packaging (up to $18,550 of your salary tax-free).
- 5 Weeks Annual Leave (FTE) + 17.5% leave loading + pay during our annual office closure week.
- Early access to long service leave
- Learning & Development opportunities.
About our role
- Develop and implement a comprehensive Partnerships & Philanthropy strategy aligned with Canteen’s mission and organisational goals.
- Drive income growth across Corporate Partnerships, Major Giving, and Trusts and Foundations portfolios, ensuring diversification and sustainability.
- Set the vision for the Partnerships and Philanthropy team and lead, mentor, and support all team members across Corporate Partnerships, Major Giving, and Trusts and Foundations to perform at their best at all times.
- Identify, cultivate and strengthen relationships with values-aligned corporate partners, major donors, and Trusts and Foundations.
- Play a key role in managing the Fundraising Committee and building relationships with the Board and Executive team to identify and leverage referral opportunities.
- Act as a compelling ambassador for Canteen at external events, meetings, and presentations.
- Lead the teams to identify and cultivate new prospects, including high-net-worth individuals, corporate partners, and philanthropic entities in alignment with your Partnerships and Philanthropy strategy.
- Monitor and report on financial performance, ensuring revenue targets and KPIs are achieved or exceeded.
- Develop and monitor annual budgets for the Partnerships & Philanthropy team, manage the portfolio P&L with regular reforecasts and strategic decisions on operational investment and resource allocation.
- Oversee the delivery of high-quality stewardship activities, ensuring supporters feel valued and connected to Canteen’s mission.
- Work closely with the entire Marketing & Fundraising team to ensure alignment with broader campaigns and initiatives.
- Partner with the Services and Impact teams to create compelling cases that resonate with donors and partners.
About You
- A relevant degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field.
- Significant experience in leadership roles within partnerships, philanthropy, or relevant fundraising areas.
- Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
- Strong relationship management capabilities within corporates, high-net-worth individuals, and foundations.
- Excellent strategic planning and execution skills, translating vision into outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver revenue growth and manage budgets effectively.
- Knowledge of the not-for-profit sector and fundraising best practices.
- Experience with thought leadership and public speaking.
- Passionate about Canteen’s mission and committed to making a difference for young people affected by cancer.
- A proactive and positive attitude with a willingness to learn and take on new challenges.
- Warm, compassionate, and friendly approach to supporting our young people
Applications close on Monday 2nd June 2025. If you’re passionate about what you do and are ready to make a difference, apply now. We’ll review applications regularly. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
For additional information, or a confidential chat, please contact Lee.Grewal@canteen.org.au.
Employment Expectations
To ensure an ongoing commitment to the success of Canteen, all applications must be able to:
- Successfully complete and maintain a current National Police Check and Working with Child Check relevant to the individual’s state jurisdiction.
- Undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment to guarantee the safety of all Canteen’s stakeholders.
- Provide at least two direct referees to ensure a successful reference check is completed.
- Provide relevant copies of professional qualification/s stated on the application.
