Philanthropy Manager

At Melba Opera Trust, philanthropy changes lives. We are seeking a warm, strategic, relationship-centred Philanthropy Manager to drive this work.

Overview

Melba Opera Trust is seeking an experienced, relationship-centred Philanthropy Manager to lead and grow its philanthropic income across major gifts, annual giving and bequests. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this senior part-time role plays a critical part in securing the financial sustainability of Melba’s programs and enabling exceptional young Australian opera artists to build sustainable national and international careers.

Based in the Melbourne Arts Precinct with flexible hybrid working arrangements, the role also includes regular donor engagement across Melbourne and Sydney.

About Melba Opera Trust

Melba Opera Trust is the legacy of Dame Nellie Melba, founded on the belief that artistic excellence alone is not enough to sustain a career in opera. Melba exists to equip emerging artists with the artistic, professional and personal skills required to thrive in a competitive global industry.

This mission is delivered through the flagship Melba Program, a year-long, scholarship-funded training initiative, alongside national and international awards and alumni grants that support artists at key stages of their careers. Melba alumni perform in leading opera houses around the world.

The Organisation and Culture

Melba is a small, passionate and highly collaborative organisation, united by a strong sense of purpose and impact. The Trust operates through two core pillars: program delivery and awards, and philanthropy and endowment growth. The culture is mission-driven, artist-centred and flexible, valuing wellbeing, professionalism and shared success.

This role is well suited to a senior fundraiser who enjoys working across an organisation and values meaningful, visible outcomes from their work.

Purpose of the Role

The Philanthropy Manager leads Melba Opera Trust’s philanthropic strategy and delivery, ensuring income targets are met while donors experience thoughtful, high-quality engagement. The role is donor-facing and relationship-centred, requiring emotional intelligence, professionalism and strategic thinking.

Working closely with artistic, communications, operations and events colleagues, the Philanthropy Manager plays a key role in cultivating long-term donor relationships, growing the donor pipeline and shaping a culture of philanthropy aligned with Melba’s values. The role is supported by the Administration Coordinator and works alongside the Grants and Partnerships portfolios to deliver an integrated fundraising approach.

Key Responsibilities

Major Gifts | Develop and implement major gift strategies, manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, identify and solicit new support, and deliver personalised stewardship, impact reporting and regular donor engagement.

Annual Giving and Bequests | Lead mid-year and end-of-year giving campaigns, oversee donor acknowledgement and receipting, strengthen donor retention and upgrades, and maintain systems supporting Melba’s bequest program.

Philanthropy Events and Donor Engagement | Contribute to planning donor-focused events, host donors at performances and program activities, and ensure donor experience remains central.

Strategic Planning and Reporting | Work with the CEO to develop fundraising strategies and targets, manage the philanthropy budget, provide reporting for internal planning, Board reporting and donors, ensure effective use of CRM systems, and align philanthropic activity with artistic and communications priorities.

Philanthropic Grants and General Responsibilities | Identify prospective grants and collaborate on applications and acquittals, support the CEO as required, maintain accurate donor records in DonorPerfect, contribute to organisation-wide initiatives, attend occasional out-of-hours events (with time-in-lieu), and travel to Sydney 3-4 times per year for donor engagement.

Capabilities, Attributes and Employment Conditions

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience in philanthropy or fundraising (ideally in the arts or not-for-profit sector), a strong track record in securing major gifts and/or grants, excellent relationship-building and communication skills, CRM proficiency, sound understanding of donor stewardship and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Knowledge of the performing arts and experience with DonorPerfect or endowment fundraising are desirable.

The role is offered on a flexible 0.6-0.8 FTE basis with hybrid working arrangements, competitive remuneration, some evening and weekend commitments (with time-in-lieu), and limited interstate travel.