Devise strategies and experiences to bring new donors to climate and environment, as a foundational team member at a new philanthropic advisory seeking to catalyse $1.1 billion in additional climate funding across Australia and the Asia-Pacific by ****, through bespoke philanthropic advising Build and lead the pipeline strategy to identify,engage and advise Australia's next generation of major climate philanthropists Shape the systems, intelligence, experiences and relationships that enable multi-million-dollar philanthropic commitments to high-impact climate solutions Sydney or Melbourne-based with flexible hybrid working; full-time or flexible working arrangements considered Impact of the organisation Australia Climate Impact Initiative is a new philanthropic advisory working to accelerate high-impact climate giving across Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
The Initiative works alongside an established network of leading climate philanthropists, providing the intelligence, connections and guidance that enable major donors to give with confidence and at the scale the climate crisis demands.
Importantly, this is not a traditional fundraising organisation as it is fully funded by experienced climate philanthropists and does not fundraise for itself.
Instead, the organisation acts as an impartial guide to philanthropy, helping current and emerging philanthropists understand the climate challenge, identify high-impact opportunities and shape giving strategies that align with their philanthropic interests and values.
Australia Climate Impact Initiative is incubated by the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) during its founding phase and works in close partnership with Climate Lead, the global leader in climate philanthropic advising.
Climate Lead has catalysed more than US$6 billion for climate since launching in ****.
The Australian initiative has an ambitious goal: to catalyse AUD $1.1 billion in additional climate funding for Australia, the Asia-Pacific and beyond by ****.
With only 4% of Australian giving currently directed to environmental causes, there is significant opportunity to shift the scale and ambition of climate philanthropy.
This is a small, ambitious organisation in its founding phase.
You will be joining at a pivotal moment, helping build the strategy, systems and infrastructure required to turn an ambitious vision into a functioning philanthropic advisory practice.
The Impact you will have in this role This is an opportunity for a sophisticated philanthropy professional to become the strategic and operational right hand to the Founding Executive Director and help build something genuinely new.
As Head of Donor Engagement, you will be the architect of Australia Climate Impact Initiative's donor pipeline.
Working closely with the Executive Director, you will identify and profile prospective major philanthropists, develop engagement strategies, coordinate high-touch donor experiences and ensure every relationship is thoughtfully progressed.
You will create the intelligence, strategy, systems and experiences that enable the Executive Director to have highly effective conversations with prospective donors.




This is not initially envisaged as a front-facing role with advisees, instead your core focus will be enabling the advisory practice to grow.
You will also play a critical thought-partner role to the Founding Executive Director, bringing structure, challenge, curiosity and ideas as the organisation evolves.
The ambition is significant.
The organisation is working with a small network of highly committed climate philanthropists, including founding funders and ambassadors who can help open doors to new donors.
The opportunity is to turn those relationships and networks into a sophisticated, scalable donor pipeline capable of supporting multi-million-dollar climate commitments.
There is no comparable organisation in Australia, and this role is an opportunity to combine philanthropy, strategy, research, relationship management and start-up building, with the potential to influence the flow of significant private capital towards high-impact climate solutions.
Key Responsibilities Partner closely with the Founding Executive Director to build and maintain a sophisticated pipeline of prospective climate philanthropists.
Design and facilitate regular pipeline reviews, prioritising relationships and ensuring agreed engagement strategies are progressed with rigour and follow-through.
Develop donor profiles, relationship maps and engagement strategies that identify motivations, interests, networks and potential pathways into climate philanthropy.
Lead prospect research strategy, profiling and qualification, developing detailed intelligence that informs donor engagement strategies – in partnership with an external specialist Build and maintain the CRM as the institutional memory for donor relationships, ensuring contact reports, engagement histories, pipeline information and next steps are accurately captured.
Prepare high-quality donor briefings, meeting materials, proposals and follow-up communications to enable the Executive Director to maximise every donor interaction.
Work with the Climate Solutions lead and communications functions to translate complex climate content into clear, compelling donor-ready materials.
Lead the strategy, planning and delivery of high-touch donor events, advisory sessions, briefings and peer convenings.
Develop donor experiences that support specific pipeline objectives, including introducing prospective philanthropists to the climate community and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer influence.
Coordinate the involvement of founding funders, ambassadors and other philanthropic connectors who can introduce new prospects and advocate for the Initiative within their networks.
Build and maintain relationships with key connectors across the AEGN, Climate Lead and broader climate philanthropy ecosystem.




Identify opportunities to strategically leverage peer influence and existing philanthropic networks to expand the prospect pool.
Build practical systems, processes and ways of working in a founding-stage environment, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
Coordinate and activate volunteers, advisors and other contributors to support donor engagement and pipeline development.
Skills and Experience You may come from a major gifts, philanthropy, development, donor strategy, family office, philanthropic advisory or related background.
Sound experience in philanthropy and an understanding of major giving and donor relationship development.
Sophistication, tact and comfort operating in environments involving significant private wealth.
Exceptional organisational skills, follow-through and attention to detail.
The ability to move comfortably between strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
Strong research and writing skills, with the ability to turn complex information into compelling donor intelligence and materials.
Experience developing donor profiles, pipelines, engagement strategies or similar relationship-management frameworks.
The curiosity, flexibility and resourcefulness to operate in a founding-stage organisation where the playbook is still being written.
Exceptional discretion and judgement when working with sensitive information about individuals, families and wealth.
A collaborative, low-ego approach and the ability to act as a genuine thought partner to a senior leader.
Intellectual curiosity, an appetite to learn and the ability to engage with complex issues and translate them into meaningful philanthropic opportunities.
Genuine passion for climate and environmental impact, with a robust belief in the role philanthropy can play in accelerating high-impact solutions to the climate crisis.
Applications Please apply by uploading your resume.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with conversations progressing with suitable candidates throughout the recruitment process.
Interviews may commence prior to the closing date, so we encourage early applications.
Please direct all enquiries to Nadia Pachon at Impact Advising on *************************** Impact Advising is committed to creating diverse and inclusive work environments that reflect the rich tapestry of our communities.
We believe that diversity enriches organisations and fosters innovation.
We are dedicated to building workforces that are representative of the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our society.
We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds, including people with lived or living experience of refugee backgrounds.
We value a range of experiences, perspectives and career pathways.
We actively seek to foster inclusive workplaces where all employees can bring their whole selves to work, feel respected and valued, and have equal opportunities for growth and advancement.
We are committed to providing a fair and unbiased recruitment process, and we strive to eliminate any barriers that may impede the inclusion and participation of underrepresented groups in the workforce.

📌 Head Of Donor Engagement - Australia Climate Impact Initiative (Victoria)
🏢 Impact Advising
📍 Victoria