About the job
Hard Heads, Soft Hearts, Capable Hands
Are you passionate about advancing Indigenous education in Australia and skilled at building meaningful donor relationships? The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) is seeking a proactive, relationship-focused Major Gifts Officer to secure philanthropic support and grow AIEF’s national impact.
About AIEF
AIEF was established in 2008 in response to community demand from Indigenous families who choose to enrol their children in boarding schools. Bringing together the government and private sectors, AIEF provides scholarship funding for Indigenous students to complete Year 12 or pursue tertiary studies, with career support and mentoring to help them transition successfully to employment.
Backed by some of Australia’s most influential business, philanthropic, media and community leaders, AIEF has grown from one scholarship student in 2008 to now supporting over 1,500 young Indigenous people from over 400 communities in every state and territory of Australia. AIEF has consistently achieved annual retention, Year 12 completion, and career transition rates above 90% since funding its first scholarship in 2008.
The Role
Reporting to the Manager – Advancement, the Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for securing philanthropic support from individuals by building, maintaining, and stewarding relationships, and for contributing to organisational fundraising targets.
Role Deliverables
- Build and steward a portfolio of mid- to major-gift prospects, identifying and qualifying donors through strategic research and relationship-building.
- Participate in donor cultivation and solicitation processes and contribute to annual major gift revenue targets through strategic donor engagement and portfolio management.
- Support the Advancement Team in delivering the Advancement Strategy by coordinating and maintaining donor relationships.
- Coordinate policies and procedures, the onboarding and training of new team members and annual reporting processes.
Key Responsibilities
Donor Identification, Cultivation and Stewardship
- Identify, research, and cultivate prospective mid-level to major gift donors through strategic relationship-building, developing tailored solicitation strategies, and conducting face-to-face meetings and presentations.
Portfolio Coordination
- Build and steward a portfolio of up to 50 mid-level to major gift prospects and donors, implementing personalised cultivation and stewardship plans while tracking engagement activities in AIEF’s CRM system.
- Deliver high-quality stewardship activities that demonstrate impact, deepen donor relationships and support the Advancement Team in delivering the Advancement Strategy.
- Coordinate and maintain relationships with donors, ensuring timely and meaningful communication throughout the giving cycle.
- Secure mid-level to major gifts through professional solicitation approaches.
- Contribute to annual major gift revenue targets.
Leadership, Team and Collaboration
- Support the Manager – Advancement with onboarding new team members, the implementation of policies and procedures and annual reporting processes.
- Use initiative to support the smooth running of the Advancement Team and step in where there are gaps.
- Work closely with other teams to ensure a cohesive and consistent experience for donors.
- Participate in and contribute to organisation-wide events, projects and initiatives that require an all-hands-on-deck approach.
Key Selection Criteria
- Tertiary or other relevant qualifications or equivalent work experience in fundraising.
- Demonstrated experience in making fundraising asks or soliciting financial support.
- Demonstrated experience in building effective and professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Proficiency with CRM systems and donor database management.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and concisely.
- Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently.
- Experience working within Indigenous education is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in syndicated giving programs or collaborative funding models are desirable.
- The ability to travel to donor meetings and events as needed.
Benefits of Working with Us
This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of Indigenous students while working with a passionate and high-performing team dedicated to social change. You will:
- Contribute directly to changing the nation by supporting Indigenous education.
- Access generous salary packaging that boosts your take-home pay (up to $15,900 general expenses + $2,650 meals/accommodation).
- Receive an additional 7 days of leave each year to support your personal needs.
- Work from a prime Surry Hills location, close to cafés, restaurants and Central Station.
- Join a vibrant and dynamic office where no two days are the same.
- Access multiple opportunities for ongoing training and development.
- Benefit from an Employee Assistance Program.
Application Process
Corporate Diversity Pathways has been appointed exclusively to conduct this executive search assignment. All applications will be treated in strict confidence. To make enquiries, contact Jeromine Alpe at jeromine@corporatediversitypathways.com or +61 404 888 335.
If you are ready to take on this rewarding challenge and help grow AIEF’s community of supporters, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and your vision for advancement and fundraising in support of Indigenous education.
For successful candidates, AIEF conducts mandatory probity checks, which include a National Criminal Record Check by the Australian Federal Police and a Working with Children Check by the relevant State and Territory Government(s).
Join AIEF in shaping a brighter future for Indigenous students across Australia.
