Director of Centenary Appeal

St Mark’s College, a university residential college based in North Adelaide, was founded in 1925, and in 2025 will celebrate its Centenary. As part of the College’s celebration of the Centenary, it will undertake a Centenary Appeal to alumni and friends of the College seeking generous support for a major expansion of scholarship endowment and for other projects to equip the College well for its second century.

The Director of the Centenary Appeal will work closely with the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM, and other key staff to lead and ensure the success of the College’s fundraising campaign, and other aspects of the Centenary, including to lay the groundwork for further engagement of alumni and friends and for philanthropic support beyond the Centenary.

Key Responsibilities

• Help to lead the planning of the Centenary Appeal.
• Develop and implement a communications strategy for the Appeal.
• Identification of prospects for major gifts and bequests to the College.
• Research to support engagement with prospects, including identifying potential donors’ capacity, connection with the College, and potential motivation to support the College.
• Helping to recruit and supporting a small Appeal Committee of key volunteers and staff.
• Management of engagement by the Head of College and Appeal Committee with prospects for major gifts and bequests.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships throughout the St Mark’s College community including prospects and other alumni and friends.
• Build and maintain key relationships with philanthropic institutions, foundations, and potential business donors.
• Work with staff colleagues and volunteers in the planning and organisation of Centenary events, merchandise, communications, and other aspects of the Centenary celebrations.
• Ensure that all relevant data is maintained in line with the College’s data management practices so to help maintain full, up-to-date data on alumni (Old Collegians), friends and prospective friends of the College, and donors and prospective donors to the College.
• Work to deepen the engagement of alumni and friends, and to deepen the culture of philanthropy in the St Mark’s community, to lay the basis for lifelong connections and sustained philanthropic support for the College in the years and decades beyond the Centenary.
• Other duties as requested.

Key Working Relationships

All responsibilities are undertaken in close partnership with and with the strong support of the Head of College and other colleagues, such as the Front Office Manager, Registrar, Business Manager and Finance Officer, building on work already done, and in the context of other College operations.

Qualifications and Personal Attributes

The College is open to candidates from diverse professional backgrounds, including in research, advancement, events, communications, marketing, or other fields.

The Director of the Centenary Appeal should demonstrate:

• a commitment to the vision and values of St Mark’s College, and enthusiasm to ensure the success of the Centenary Appeal and of the College;
• skills and experience relevant to advancement activities;
• skills in research and high-quality writing;
• administrative efficiency;
• high level of skill using Word, Outlook, databases, and any other relevant software (some experience using website software, such as WordPress, may be an advantage);
• a warm and engaging personality with the ability to enthuse others;
• highly developed interpersonal and communication skills;
• a professional attitude to and a highly developed sense of personal responsibility for the requirements of the role;
• a collaborative approach and ability to build strong, long-term relationships;
• a strong work ethic;
• a commitment to a high quality of work reflected in accuracy and attention to detail;
• ability to operate effectively in a collaborative team environment;
• flexibility and an ability to adapt and operate effectively in a changing environment;
• ability to effectively manage multiple projects and responsibilities, ensuring high performance standards and adherence to deadlines; and
• a high level of maturity and personal integrity.

Terms and Conditions

This is a three-year appointment (potentially renewable), commencing as soon as possible, with an initial probationary period of three months.

The position could be held either as a full-time or part-time role provided the key responsibilities of the role are met in a timely manner.

A degree of flexibility in terms of days and hours worked is available to take into account the nature and responsibilities of the position.

Remuneration and other terms

The remuneration package comprises:

• An attractive salary, depending on qualifications and experience;
• Meals in the Dining Hall when the College kitchen is open, onsite carparking, and use of other College facilities (e.g. gym);
• Superannuation paid at the legislated rate (currently 5%).

There are four weeks of paid leave per annum (or part-time equivalent, if applicable), to be taken in agreement with the Head of College, in addition to the usual public holidays.

Application process

Candidates should send (i) a curriculum vitae, (ii) a letter of application explaining (with reference to the selection criteria) how their previous experience, qualifications and skills fit them for this position, and (iii) the names and contact details of three referees.

Applications should be submitted via Seek no later than 12 noon (ACST) on Thursday 30 March 2023.

For further information, please contact Ms Carol Atkinson at (08) 8334 5600.

A full position description is at https://stmarkscollege.com.au/employment-opportunities/

Apply here.