Business Development & Partnerships Manager, Biodiversity Council

• Spearhead fundraising initiatives for the Biodiversity Council, focusing on enhancing biodiversity knowledge and its implications for policy, First Peoples, business, and community
• Collaborate with the executive team to secure philanthropic gifts from individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporations
• Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!

About the Role

The Business Development and Partnerships Manager at the Biodiversity Council will spearhead the organisation's fundraising initiatives, collaborating with the executive team to secure philanthropic gifts from individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporations. Operating within a not-for-profit and university context, the role involves independently and collaboratively navigating a complex environment, building and managing relationships with donors, and implementing fundraising programs. With a focus on achieving annual financial goals, targets, and key performance indicators, you will bring strategic vision to the executive team, fostering a supportive culture and delivering impactful results.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop and lead the implementation of the Biodiversity Council’s fundraising strategy, including across major gifts, foundations and regular giving to ensure sustainable income for the council.
• Research, identify, cultivate, solicit and steward new prospects and existing donors.
• Plan and execute a rolling program of strategic major donor and partner meetings, events and other regular face to face and virtual engagement with donors, partners and prospects.
• Identify, cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including universities, philanthropic foundations, major donors and other key partner organisations.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the Biodiversity Council executive team to align activities and develop collateral to support Biodiversity Council communications, media activities advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
• Model, communicate and promote the Biodiversity Council’s Code of Conduct and values within the team and externally.

Who We Are Looking For

Our ideal candidate brings extensive fundraising experience, preferably at a senior level, showcasing a track record in successfully developing and executing fundraising strategies. You enjoy working flexibly within a small team and effectively manage shifting priorities. 

Your adept skills in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donor relationships, along with excellent interpersonal and negotiation abilities, make you well-suited for this role. 

You will also have:

• Expertise in the use of Customer Relationship Management systems and data to support relationship management and fundraising.
• Experience in developing strategies to grow an organisational supporter/membership base.
• A strong record of successful stakeholder engagement and collaboration across philanthropic, First Peoples, business, academic and/or community sectors.
• A passion for Australia’s biodiversity and the capacity to understand and rapidly master biodiversity knowledge and its implications for policy, First Peoples, business and community.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is unavailable. 

Your New Team – The Biodiversity Council

The Biodiversity Council was founded by 11 Australian Universities to drive action on biodiversity by increasing public, political and industry understanding of Australia’s biodiversity crisis and support for evidence-based solutions.

The council is currently hosted by The University of Melbourne with additional oversight from an advisory board. It receives financial support from philanthropists.

The Biodiversity Council’s mission is to be a trusted expert voice communicating accurate information on all aspects of biodiversity, to ensure biodiversity and Country prosper. Our Biodiversity Councillors are leading experts, in science, Indigenous knowledge, law, policy, economics, behaviour change and communications. Effective inclusion of First people’s expertise and perspectives is fundamental for the Biodiversity Council.

What We Offer You!

n addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page!

About the University of Melbourne

We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.   

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact Kim Groizard at **********@unimelb.edu.au, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne. Please visit this link for further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy.