Job Details

Listed

Jul 2, 2025

Location

Melbourne

Salary

> $100,000

Closing Date

Jul 23, 2025

Arts Centre Melbourne

Director, Philanthropy

Contribute to the ongoing success of Arts Centre Melbourne's philanthropic vision - apply now!

About the Position

The Director, Philanthropy is a senior strategic leader who plays a vital role in championing Arts Centre Melbourne’s philanthropic vision.

This position will lead and empower a dedicated Philanthropy team, providing strategic oversight, business planning, resource optimisation, financial stewardship, and talent development, including setting KPIs and conducting performance reviews.

The position works closely with the Executive Director, Development to enable the CEO, the Trust, Arts Centre Melbourne Foundation Board, and Capital Campaign Chair to fulfil their respective mandates with respect to Philanthropy and the Capital Campaign. A key focus is cultivating and securing principal gifts (over $1 million) from high-value donors to support the organisation’s key ambitions, ensuring our sustainability in the arts industry.

Full time ongoing position. Band 6.0 $172,603.60 p.a. plus superannuation.

 

Selection Criteria – Your Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

  • Relevant tertiary level qualification and/or relevant senior level experience in a not-for-profit sector organisation
  • Proven experience in securing major gifts in the arts or other relevant philanthropic sectors, with proven strategies for cultivating and closing high-level philanthropic prospects
  • Advanced analytical thinking and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to translate donor data insights into strategic fundraising approaches
  • Advanced relationship management skills which foster positive working environments and collaborative efforts within and across different teams
  • Strategic financial leadership – proven track record with setting, managing and achieving financial targets as well as non-financial KPIs
  • Proven leader with strong people management skills and ability to inspire, manage and empower a high performing team

For more information please read  Position Description – Director, Philanthropy.pdf

About the Team

The Development Team is responsible for cultivating strong relationships that lead to financial investment and support Arts Centre Melbourne’s wide-ranging cultural, education, access, commissioning, wellbeing, and collection programs.

The desire is to grow philanthropic, partnership and government contributions to further extend this reach and impact.

The current philanthropic program covers the following areas:

  • Major Giving (Arts Angels, Bequests, President’s Club and Capital Campaign)
  • Fundraising Campaigns and Membership
  • Trusts and Foundations and Private Ancillary Funds

All philanthropic money raised is directed to the following areas:

  • Access and inclusion – breaking down barriers to the performing arts across diversity, distance, disability, and disadvantage.
  • Education and creative learning – inspiring and training the next generation of creatives and industry workers.
  • Commissions – supporting new works, bold ideas, and extraordinary talent.
  • Collections – preserving Australia’s cultural heritage and telling our stories.

Philanthropic giving is also a key part of realising the ambitions of Reimagining Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the broader Melbourne Arts Precinct redevelopment. A successful philanthropic Capital Campaign (Imagine Anew) will be critical to raising vital funding to make this vision a reality.

About Arts Centre Melbourne 

Arts Centre Melbourne acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we gather, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung. We also acknowledge the neighbouring Kulin Nation groups, the Boonwurrung and Bunurong people, and pay our respects to elders, past and present. 

Beneath our iconic Spire, in Hamer Hall and at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, we showcase the best of Australian and international performing arts.   

Together with our own program of performances, events and activities we offer a diversity of audiences a distinctly multidimensional approach to participation, education and entertainment. 

We are now focused on Reimagining Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to transforming the Melbourne Arts Precinct into a thriving, connected creative and civic space over the coming years. 

For a glimpse into working at Arts Centre Melbourne click here

Enjoy Team Member Benefits

  • Complimentary tickets
  • Discounts at food & beverage outlets
  • Discounted commuter benefits and onsite parking 
  • Access to wellbeing activities and learning and development programs
  • Free access to Employee Assistance Programs which includes specific support to our First Nations team members via their I-CARE program and providing specific counsellors for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and People of Colour.  

Apply Now!

Arts Centre Melbourne welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, Disabled and Deaf people, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of all ages.

We seek to provide workplace adjustments at all relevant stages of the recruitment process such as alternative formats or other access supports. You can specify in the application form if you require any adjustments or please ask us at any stage. If you need to contact us about making adjustments during the recruitment process, please send an email to peopleassist@artscentremelbourne.com.au.

Please submit your resume together combined with a cover letter in a singular document by 11:55pm Wednesday 23rd July 2025. Early applications are encouraged as suitable candidates may be invited to attend an interview prior to the closing date.

Employment at Arts Centre Melbourne is conditional upon the satisfactory completion of a National Police Check.

Applications are open to those with full working rights in Australia. Arts Centre Melbourne is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer