Director of Development (Arts & Culture)

We now have a leadership opportunity for a Director of Development (Arts and Culture), to join our Advancement portfolio. This is an exciting time to join one of the most successful fundraising team in Australia. Following the nation's first $1 billion-dollar fundraising campaign, the Advancement portfolio has launched their next transformative comprehensive campaign For Good.

The Director of Development (Arts and Culture) is a senior role in the portfolio, responsible for the fundraising success of the University across the Arts and Culture portfolio, which includes the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University Schools and University Museums. Building on a number of established relationships and a strong trajectory of major and principal gifts, this position will establish, manage and nurture philanthropic relationships with existing and prospective donors for the Arts and Culture portfolio.

The incumbent will take a leadership role in fundraising across the Faculty and Schools and will use their skills and experience to close gifts of $1 million +, with a focus on significant major and principal gifts to achieve substantial personal fundraising targets. The incumbent will also grow and develop a team of high performing Development Officers, who work collaboratively with the wider Advancement Portfolio to achieve the University's philanthropy and engagement goals.

Working closely with academic leadership, this position is also charged with growing a culture of philanthropy across the Faculty and Schools to increase awareness of and engagement with the fundraising process.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such,



we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Director of Development (Arts and Culture) who:

- has extensive background in fundraising, with a demonstrated ability to identify and negotiate major and principal gift opportunities. Can demonstrate their success in closing multiple $1 million+ gifts and meeting stretch financial targets
- has proven leadership experience with the ability to mentor, inspire and motivate a group of ambitious and goal-oriented professionals
- has the ability to think strategically and provide robust, tactical advice on fundraising strategy
- has current knowledge of best practices in development
- Can demonstrate their success in establishing, cultivating and maintaining high-level, strong relationships with influential donors
- has a background and a passion working in the arts space and can demonstrate this in their covering letter

About us

The Advancement team at the University of Sydney is one of the most successful fundraising programs in Australian higher education. Having completed the nation's first $1BN fundraising campaign and embarking on the next, For Good, the team is not only the finest performing, its success facilitates the largest real-world impact that philanthropic giving makes possible.

For 175 years, we've united great minds for the power of good.



Together with our remarkable community, we're creating transformative real-world impact.

Universities have always played a pivotal role in shaping society: educating citizens, advancing research, supporting healthcare and strengthening economies. In the coming decades, our people will continue to break the mould and create innovative solutions to up-to-date-day challenges.

We are harnessing philanthropic and alumni support to deliver transformational change locally and beyond.

Working in the Advancement team at the University you will be part of a portfolio that raises funds for scholarships, cutting edge research and makes a real and substantial contribution to the improvement of the University, and the wider world. You will be joining a world-class team that cares deeply about making a difference and is both creative and evidence-led when it comes to improving performance.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Sponsorship may be available for this role and we encourage all those interested in relocating to Sydney, Australia to apply.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University's obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all releva

📌 Director of Development (Sydney)
🏢 The University of Sydney
📍 Sydney