Engagement Lead (NSW/ACT)

TYPE: Secondment or 12-month fixed-term contract/engagement at 0.8 FTE 

LOCATION: Sydney 

REPORTS TO: Director of Engagement NSW & ACT 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS 

• National Engagement team   

• Philanthropy Australia staff  

• Current and prospective members   

• Philanthropy Australia key partners   

ABOUT PHILANTHROPY AUSTRALIA 

Philanthropy Australia (PA) is the national peak body for philanthropy. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation with more than 900 trusts, foundations, families, individual donors, professional advisers, companies, intermediaries and not-for-profit organisations as our members and partners.  

We provide advocacy, networking, services and resources to the philanthropic and not-for-profit sector, as well as information and research for the Australian community. We support the wider philanthropic efforts of our membership through: 

• Amplifying the vital contribution of philanthropy by increasing understanding across communities, business and government 

• Inspiring, encouraging and supporting emerging philanthropists for lasting change 

• Boosting the reach and results of philanthropy 

• Promoting strong, transparent and ethical governance standards across the sector 

• Producing and sharing trusted information, research, and stories that connect people to philanthropy and help the sector grow. 

ROLE PURPOSE 
The Engagement Lead, NSW/ACT is part of Philanthropy Australia’s Membership Team, responsible for engagement with members and the broader philanthropic community across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The role nurtures relationships, manages administration, and supports members to connect, learn and increase their impact through philanthropy. 

Reporting to the Director, Engagement NSW/ACT, the role supports the delivery of national initiatives while championing regional engagement and insights. The ideal candidate will be a skilled relationship builder, co-ordinator, administrator and communicator.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Member Engagement 

• Collaborate with the Director, Engagement NSW/ACT and National Engagement team to ensure the seamless delivery and administration of PA’s membership services 

• Build and manage relationships and day-to-day communication with members, providing clear information on the benefits and value of PA membership 

• Coordinate and administer member programs, services and payments, collaborating with the National Membership & Engagement team, the Programs & Practice team and the Operations & Finance team 

• Represent PA externally, articulating PA’s value proposition and role in the philanthropic sector, promoting engagement, learning, and sector networking 

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date member information, interactions, and meeting records in Salesforce and other integrated platforms. Manage inbound email inquiries. 

• Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of our highly regarded member events, ensuring a professional and seamless experience 

Membership Development 

• Support business development to grow the membership base, contributing to strategies for prospecting, acquisition and renewal 

• Contribute to the development and implementation of opportunities that deepen member connection and collaboration  

• Support and monitor the ongoing membership renewals and lead-generation processes, ensuring a strong focus on retention, satisfaction, and continuous improvement 

Program Support 

• Lead on special or discrete projects as assigned by the Director of Engagement NSW/ACT 

• Deputise for the Director of Engagement NSW/ACT as required 

Professional Practice 

• Maintain effective links and relationships with relevant stakeholder organisations in the philanthropic sector 

• Participate fully in PA’s corporate life including attendance and support for stakeholder events both interstate and after-hours as required. As this is a role supports a national program of membership engagement including events, the ability to work outside of normal hours, and travel (interstate on occasion also) may be required  

• Abide by Philanthropy Australia’s Code of Conduct and demonstrate the organisation’s values in all activities and interactions 

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 

Qualifications 

• Business, Marketing, Social Impact or the Social Sciences 

Experience 

• Knowledge of philanthropy and/or the not-for-profit sector 

• Experience in a foundation or fundraising role working directly with philanthropists and philanthropic decision-makers or a relationship management role engaging directly with high-net-worth individuals is favoured 

• Demonstrated strong administration and interpersonal skills, including ability to build trust, inspire confidence, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders 

• Demonstrated excellent stakeholder management, including staff, key partners, and other stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes 

• A genuine passion for philanthropy and the role it plays in building a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable Australia. 

Skills 

• Ability to be proactively developing and foster strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders 

• Strong project management skills, including planning, delivering on timelines, managing stakeholders and achieving measurable outcomes 

• Developed written and oral communication, negotiation, and presentation skills 

• Strong digital literacy with experience, using technology platforms to report and interpret data and information strategically  

• Proficient user of Salesforce or other CRM  

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise a dynamic workload and juggle competing demands 

• Motivated self-starter  

HOW TO APPLY 

• Philanthropy Australia members and partners who are interested in seconding a team member into this role are encouraged to express their interest via [email protected] ‘Engagement Lead NSW & ACT’. 

• Individuals interested in applying are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter to [email protected] using the subject line ‘Engagement Lead NSW & ACT’. 

We encourage early expressions of interest. Recruitment will be conducted on a rolling basis.