Head of Strategic Philanthropy

THE HEART RESEARCH INSTITUTE (HRI) is an internationally recognised medical research institute that performs cutting-edge cardiovascular research from our state-of-the-art facilities in Newtown, Sydney and the Charles Perkins Centre (CPC) at The University of Sydney.

For over 30 years, HRI has been one of Australia's leading research organisations working to detect, prevent and treat heart disease. Our vision is to improve global health through excellence in medical research. Central to our success is generous philanthropic giving and growing and retaining a loyal and engaged database of donors. 

The Role:

The Head of Strategic Philanthropy reports to the Director Development, Philanthropy and Communications. The role is responsible for developing and managing strong and enduring relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families, their trusted advisors and with the stewards of trusts and foundations, and for building a strong revenue stream in major and transformative gifts. 

The role is a senior role within the Development, Philanthropy and Communications team. You will lead your revenue stream and work collaboratively within you colleagues to identify and grow opportunities across multiple streams, maximising donors sense of emotional connection to cause and ensuring that their lifetime engagement and value is maximised.

You will build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business including members of the HRI Board and HRI Philanthropy Advisory Board, research scientists and clinicians. You will cultivate, solicit and steward HRI’s most significant donors and prospects. 

This role will manage a small team, initially the Manager of Development and Philanthropy and the Manager of Trusts and Foundations and will have the opportunity to grow the team as pipeline and revenue builds.

This is a permanent role based in Newtown, with flexibility to work full time or a 4 day part time work week. We are a nimble, diverse and flexible team. 

Specific Responsibilities include:

• Manage the Strategic Philanthropy revenue stream, working closely with the Director Development Philanthropy and Communications, and with your colleagues across the broader Development and Philanthropy team.
• Develop inspiring and compelling campaigns and cases for support in collaboration with researcher scientists, tailored to deliver on the interests of individuals donors. 
• Identify and qualify major donor prospects and cultivate, solicit and steward major and transformative gifts. 
• Collaborate with the HRI Board and HRI Advisory Board to identify and engage significant prospects. 
• Effectively manage reporting and acquittal, ensuring donors are provided with regular and useful updates on progress and impact, tailored to meet their individual requirements. 
• Develop strategies to increase the frequency and scale of gifts.
• In collaboration with the Director Development Philanthropy and Communications, develop and implement an Endowment Fund structure.
• Inspiring and effective leadership of your team 
• Prepare rigorous analysis, identifying opportunities to improve and elevate revenue.
• Lead consultants and partner organisations as appropriate to work effectively with HRI and deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that translate into strong donor and revenue growth.
• Management of budgets relating to the Strategic Philanthropy revenue stream.

To be successful in this role you will have/be:

• A minimum of 8-10 years in a similar role. 
• Experience in developing and implementing philanthropic strategies and campaigns.
• Experience in cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major and transformative gifts. 
• Demonstrated ability in establishing and maintaining long term relationships with philanthropic supporters and prospects.
• Demonstrated experience in achieving philanthropic revenue target and revenue growth, including the planning and making of ‘the ask.’
• Exemplary interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills.
• Ideally you will have experience in medical research, health or higher education.
• A leader of people, inspiring your team and colleagues to deliver compelling campaigns and strong results plus the capacity to build strong relationships with your colleagues and donors.
• Exemplary time management skills the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Superior presentation and communication skills.
• The ability to problem solve and think differently, challenging convention.
• A growth mindset:the capacity to develop and take calculated risks to bring new ideas to fruition. Unafraid to fail fast and learn.
• A strategic mind and the ability to develop and implement innovative cases for support and identify the strategic fit between HRI research work and a donor’s key motivators for giving and issues of interest.
• Analytical mind withhe capacity to work with your colleagues in the Business Analytics and Data team to understand the data, identify insights and refine programs accordingly.
• Strong sense of initiative and attention to detail, a can-do attitude to meet deadlines,  manage competing priorities and work well under pressure.
• Highly motivated and organised, but also flexible and adaptable withan appetite for change and continual learning
• Resilient, adaptable and demonstrate a high level of emotional maturity. 
• Alignment with HRI values of Excellence, Curiosity, Teamwork, Transparency and Inclusivity.
• Tertiary qualifications in Commerce, Marketing, Strategy and Creative Innovation or Arts would be highly regarded. 

Join The Heart Research Institute during a time of growth and innovation, as we transition the organisation from being very traditional in focus to one focussed on strategic philanthropic giving. For further information on this position, please contact Katrina Dowling at ***************@hri.org.au or on 02 82088*** for a confidential discussion.

To view the benefits of working at HRI, please view our Benefits page: https://www.hri.org.au/join-us/benefits

How to Apply:

Please submit your application online and include the following documentation in your application:

• A cover letter addressed to Katrina Dowling, Director Development, Philanthropy and Communications.
• A detailed resume

Eligibility:

To apply for this position, you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

Closing date: Friday 2nd February 2024

Please note: Due to the volume of applications expected, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

The Heart Research Institute supports Equal Employment Opportunity. 

We value diversity and encourage applications from women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disability, LGBTQI individuals and applicants of diverse cultures and ages. 

We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees and affiliates, and our community. Whoever you are, you are welcome at HRI.

If you have a disability and need support to submit your application, please email *******@hri.org.au