Reporting to the Executive Manager of Communication, Fundraising and Advocacy, the Head of Philanthropy is a pivotal role for The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), managing all philanthropic relationships with current and prospective donors.

Leading a small and effective team in a supportive environment, this is an excellent opportunity to prospect and nurture major gifts to support CERA’s current capital campaign.

As Head of Philanthropy, you will lead a donor-centric program to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward relationships across major gifts, trusts and foundations, bequests and corporate partnerships and develop long term strategies to sustainably grow the philanthropy portfolio.

You will also be responsible for:

• Leading the delivery of CERA’s comprehensive capital campaign.
• Driving philanthropic culture across the organisation.
• Developing strategies to nurture and grow partnerships across the portfolio to increase income.
• Monitoring and providing strategic oversight of CERA’s bequests program.
• Leading engagement with major donors, bequestors and partners.
• Working with researchers and the Research Grants program to develop and submit for major funding from trusts and foundations.
• Working collaboratively with the wider marketing, communications and advocacy team to support projects and programs.
• CRM management.

The Head of Philanthropy role requires a passionate and dedicated professional who has the following skills and experience:

• A proven track record in major gifts or development within the not-for-profit or medical sector.
• Demonstrated team leadership experience.
• Extensive experience identifying and developing philanthropic leads across major gifts, trusts and foundations and/or bequest programs.
• The ability to cultivate and foster relationships with high net-worth individuals to drive sustainable giving.
• Experience identifying insights through data analysis to drive income growth projects.
• Proven experience working with all levels of internal and external stakeholders including board and ELT.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• A business development mindset, seeking opportunities to increase funding from multiple sources.
• Experience working with or alongside comprehensive capital campaigns will be an advantage.

CERA is a leading independent Medical Research Institute, proudly affiliated with the University of Melbourne. We are deeply committed to conducting eye research with real-life impact and finding ways to prevent people from going blind.

We are an international leader in eye research, using our world-class knowledge and expertise to achieve better treatments and faster diagnosis of eye disease. As true innovators in this space, our scientists and researchers are on the brink of new discoveries each day.

CERA relies on philanthropic partners, funders and supporters to continue our groundbreaking research with the aim of offering hope to people affected by vision loss and protect the sight of everyone in need.

With CERA, there’s hope in sight.

You can apply via seek.com.au, or for a confidential conversation, please contact Lyndsey Walker at Lyndsey.walker@deliberateimpact.com.au

Please note: deliberateImpact is the retained recruitment partner for CERA. All direct applicants will be forwarded to deliberateImpact for review.