Director, Development – Principal Gifts

The Opportunity

Monash Advancement is driving unprecedented levels of advocacy, philanthropy and alumni engagement, both nationally and globally. Through meaningful engagement opportunities for our global network of alumni, donors and stakeholders, we enable Monash to deliver world-class education and research with transformative impact. Building on the success of our first billion-dollar campaign, #ChangeItForFutureGenerations, we continue to strengthen connections that elevate the University’s profile, reputation and capacity for positive change.

The Director, Development – Principal Gifts is an exciting opportunity to cultivate relationships with Monash University’s most generous and transformative donors, building a strategic program focused on securing and stewarding philanthropic gifts in excess of $5 million. This pivotal leadership position will shape the next phase of Monash’s philanthropic growth, ensuring the University is positioned to attract and cultivate transformational investment as it prepares for its next campaign.

With responsibility for leading engagement with a portfolio of principal gift donors and prospective donors, the Director will draw on a deep understanding of Monash’s research and academic strengths and priorities to align donors interests with opportunities of mutual, long-term impact. As the University’s specialist advisor on principal giving and high touch philanthropy, the Director will work closely with colleagues across Advancement and with University and Faculty leaders to co-create bespoke funding opportunities that advance both Faculty and University-wide objectives, supporting the delivery of Impact 2030.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will have:

• A standout track record in principal and major gifts fundraising in sectors such as education, health and research backed by deep expertise in principal gift strategy, policy and philanthropic best practice within large, complex organisations
• Demonstrated experience in building and scaling new functions or strategic initiatives, with the ability to establish frameworks, processes and governance from the ground up, drive continuous improvement, and embed a culture of excellence and accountability
• Exceptional relationship building skills at the highest levels, with high EQ and the gravitas to engage, influence and steward ultra‑high-net-worth donors and senior University leaders, and to lead negotiations to establish philanthropic funding partnerships that align donor interests and motivations with institutional priorities
• A capacity to operate as a strategic advisor and institutional connector, able to deeply understand Monash’s academic strengths, research priorities and cross‑faculty initiatives, and translate these into compelling philanthropic opportunities while navigating complex internal environments with diplomacy, insight and a collaborative, solutions‑focused mindset
• Demonstrated leadership experience, with the ability to mentor, inspire and motivate high‑performing teams across both direct and indirect reporting lines, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and excellence

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to shape the University’s philanthropic future at the principal level – creating a new function, strategy and culture to best position the University for its next phase of strategic philanthropic growth.

About Monash University

At Monash, work feels different. There’s a sense of belonging, from contributing to something ground breaking – a place where great things happen.

We value difference and diversity, and welcome and celebrate everyone’s contributions, lived experience and expertise. That’s why we champion an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where everyone is supported to succeed.

Some 20,000 staff work for Monash around the world. We have 95,000 students, four Australian campuses, and campuses in Malaysia and Indonesia. We also have a major presence in India and China, and a significant centre and research foundation in Italy.

In our short history, we have skyrocketed through global university rankings and established ourselves consistently among the world’s best tertiary institutions. We rank in the world’s top-50 universities in rankings including the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Learn more about Monash.

Today, we have the momentum to create the future we need for generations to come. Accelerate your change here. 

Monash supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements. We have a range of policies in place enabling staff to combine work and personal commitments. This includes supporting parents.

To Apply

For instructions on how to apply, please refer to ‘How to apply for Monash Jobs‘.

Diversity is one of our greatest strengths at Monash. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process at Monash. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please contact us at [email protected] in an email titled ‘Reasonable Adjustments Request’ for a confidential discussion.

Your employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment and/or background checks required for the role, as determined by the University.

Enquiries: Dani Howden, Senior Director, Development, +61 408 612 991

Position Description: Director, Development – Principal GiftsApplications Close: Monday 16 March 2026, 11:55pm AEDT