Philanthropy Manager

Overview

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this senior part-time role plays a critical part in securing the financial sustainability of Melba’s programs and enabling exceptional young Australian opera artists to build sustainable national and international careers.

Based in the Melbourne Arts Precinct with flexible hybrid working arrangements, the role also includes regular donor engagement across Melbourne and Sydney.

About Melba Opera Trust

A legacy of Dame Nellie Melba GBE, Melba Opera Trust is founded on the belief that artistic excellence alone is not enough to sustain a successful career in opera. Melba exists to equip emerging artists with the artistic, professional and personal skills required to thrive in a competitive global industry.

We deliver our mission through a suite of highly regarded programs, including the flagship Melba Program (a year-long, scholarship-funded training initiative), as well as national and international awards and alumni grants that support artists at multiple stages of their careers. Melba alumni regularly perform in leading opera houses around the world.

The Organisation and Culture

Melba operates with a small, committed and highly collaborative team, united by a strong sense of purpose and impact. The organisation is artist-centred, mission-driven and values open communication, flexibility, wellbeing and professional growth. Philanthropy is one of Melba’s two core organisational pillars, alongside program delivery and awards.

This role is ideally suited to a senior fundraiser who enjoys working closely across an organisation and values meaningful, visible outcomes from their work.

Purpose of the Role

The Philanthropy Manager leads Melba Opera Trust’s philanthropic strategy and delivery, ensuring income targets are achieved while donors experience thoughtful, high-quality engagement. The role is donor-facing and relationship-driven, requiring strong emotional intelligence, strategic thinking and professionalism.

Working closely with artistic, communications, operations and events colleagues, the Philanthropy Manager plays a key role in shaping a culture of philanthropy aligned with Melba’s values and vision. The role is supported by the Administration Coordinator and works in close collaboration with Grants and Partnerships portfolios to deliver an integrated fundraising approach.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gifts
Develops and implement major gift strategies, manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, and identify, cultivate and solicit new philanthropic support. The role ensures high-quality stewardship through personalised engagement, impact reporting and regular donor touchpoints.

Annual Giving
Lead Melba’s mid-year and end-of-year giving campaigns, oversee donor acknowledgement and thanking processes, ensure accurate tracking and receipting, and strengthen donor retention and giving growth.

Bequests
Oversee systems and processes that support Melba’s bequest program, contributing to the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability.

Philanthropy Events
Contribute to the planning of donor-focused events and experiences, host donors at performances and program activities, and ensure events prioritise donor experience (over logistics).

Strategic Planning and Reporting
In partnership with the CEO, the Philanthropy Manager contributes to fundraising strategy, target setting and budget management. The role provides clear reporting for internal planning, Board reporting and donor acknowledgement, ensures CRM systems support high-quality relationship management, and aligns philanthropic activity with artistic and communications strategies.

Philanthropic Grants
Identify prospective grant opportunities and collaborate with the Director of Operations on grant applications and acquittals.

General Responsibilities
Additional responsibilities include supporting the CEO as required, maintaining accurate donor records in DonorPerfect, contributing to organisation-wide initiatives, attending occasional out-of-hours events (with time-in-lieu provided), and travelling to Sydney several times per year for donor engagement.

Capabilities and Experience

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience in philanthropy or fundraising, ideally within the arts, cultural or not-for-profit sectors, with a proven track record in securing major gifts and/or grants. Strong relationship-building skills, excellent communication, sound understanding of donor behaviour and stewardship, CRM proficiency, budget management experience, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are essential.

Knowledge of opera or the performing arts, experience with DonorPerfect or similar CRMs, and experience in endowment or major donor strategy are desirable.

Personal Attributes and Employment Conditions

The Philanthropy Manager will be warm, donor-focused, highly organised, motivated by mission and impact, and comfortable taking ownership within a small team. The role is offered on a flexible 0.6 – 0.8 FTE basis with hybrid working arrangements, competitive remuneration, some evening and weekend work (with time-in-lieu), and limited interstate travel.

HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your resume along with a cover letter demonstrating your relevant experience and alignment to the role, and a statement (max 1 page) addressing the Key Capabilities and Experience, and the Personal Attributes from the position description.

Early applications are encouraged as they will be assessed as they are received, and remain open until Friday 6 February 2026, unless a suitable candidate is found prior. Apply via website link or via email to [email protected] with Philanthropy Manager – [Your Name] in the subject line.