Director of Philanthropy

The Director of Philanthropy’s primary focus is to lead all philanthropic activity at ACF in line with our social justice focus and organisational mission.

This position is central to the Foundation’s role in advancing social, environmental and cultural justice by leading the team responsible for philanthropy, as well as continuously developing ACF’s philanthropic practice, grant making support, and impact work.

Accountabilities:

• Be the face of ACF Philanthropy: Outstanding sector leadership, collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, providing inspiration for best practice social change philanthropy.
• Innovation: Develop new philanthropic initiatives, experiment with new models, and promote new ways of working that redistribute power and centre communities.
• Philanthropy: Lead and inspire grant making across all ACF funding portfolios (discretionary, donor advised, and external client) by ensuring effective functioning, continuous improvement and oversight of grant making systems and processes and delivering and overseeing outstanding philanthropic support to the ACF donor community in line with ACFs mission.
• Impact: Lead the continuous development of ACF granting data systems and reporting to surface strategic insight and inform the future direction of Philanthropy at ACF.
• People Leadership: Thorough, effective, and authentic people management, create and maintain a positive, purpose-driven and goal-orientated culture.
• Senior Leadership: Act as a thoughtful, considerate Senior Leader and work with peers to support, positively challenge and champion strategic initiatives.

About You

You’re the type of person who passionately advocates for social and environmental justice. You see it as your purpose to use your gift of influencing to move capital to where it can be most effective in redressing inequity. You also have a deep commitment to the importance of respectfully guiding people and organisations on their giving journey.  The prioritisation of diverse voices and lived experience is fundamental to the way you work. 

You have a servant leadership mindset and are passionate about fostering a creative, innovative and inclusive culture. You’re an original thinker who takes initiative and enjoys solving problems. 

You would feel comfortable representing our Foundation and honouring that responsibility by amplifying the work of Australia’s most effective changemakers publicly. You are a born facilitator, advisor and networker.  

You have strategic nous and enjoy working closely with the CEO, the Board and a dynamic and experienced Senior Leadership Team to develop, deliver and measure progress against strategy.

That sounds good, but what benefits do you offer?

• Progressive leave policies including monthly wellness days, expansive parental leave support, and more!
• A friendly community workplace where well-behaved dogs are welcome;
• Hybrid/flexible work environment and lovely light filled offices centrally located in East Melbourne, for days when you are in the office.
• A workplace committed to embedding best practice D&I and Reconciliation strategies. And because we walk the talk, our ACF Staff Fund matches donations from our team when they give to the causes they care about.

 About Us

Australian Communities Foundation is a non-profit, intermediary foundation working with hundreds of everyday philanthropists to support structured giving, address social issues, and create positive, community-led change.

In our 26^th year we have grown into one of Australia’s largest community foundations with a unique national focus. Last year, we disbursed more than 1,000 grants totalling more than $37 million.

We foster a supportive, collaborative, values-led, and flexible team environment. You will have the opportunity to be involved in projects that make a meaningful difference in the people’s lives.

We also believe in a fairer Australia, one where social, environmental and cultural justice is the norm – and if you want to join our team – you should, too!

 Want to get involved?

Worried you don’t tick all the boxes?  Don’t be – we are looking for an outstanding social change advocate/leader… we can teach you the rest!

To apply for this role email [email protected] with a cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the role accountabilities outlined under ‘About the Role’. Additionally, include your responses to the following three questions in no more than 300 words.

Note: Candidates who do not provide a cover letter will not be considered for the role.

• How would you describe your style of leadership?
• Our purpose is to activate a nation of givers for a fairer and more sustainable Australia. What social issues are you most passionate about and why?
• How do you think philanthropy needs to adapt over the coming decade in order to address the root causes of the challenges we face as a society?

Need to talk? Contact Naomi Owen, People and Culture Lead, 03 9412 0412 or [email protected].

Australian Communities Foundation is proud to be an inclusive and equal-opportunity workplace. We support flexible work arrangements, and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people identifying as LGBTQIA+, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and people with lived experience of disability