Philanthropy Manager

Join Lifeline Australia as the Philanthropy Manager. This is a full-time, newly created role with hybrid working arrangements on offer. The CBD offices are located close to public transport. Salary is competitive with access to salary packaging. This is an outstanding opportunity to join an iconic Australian charity making a real impact at an exciting time of growth.

Lifeline exists to ensure that no person in Australia has to face their toughest moments alone. Lifeline Australia is a national charity offering 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. Established more than 60 years ago, Lifeline also supports the development of suicide prevention services and Lifeline centres throughout Australia. Lifeline is embarking on a transformation journey guided by the Strategic Plan, enabling enhancements across services, technology and workforce to bring about better outcomes and a more accessible and flexible support system for help seekers.

This is your opportunity to step into an exciting, newly created Philanthropy Manager position, responsible for attracting, managing, and retaining major and high-value donors. You will also manage the relationship with Strategic Grants to maximise philanthropic grant applications and acquittals. Supporting the Head of Philanthropy and Capacity Campaign, we are looking for a relationship fundraising professional (with an understanding of major gifts) to help build processes and support bold income and engagement targets, championing best-practice fundraising, and implementing personalised donor experiences that inspire loyalty and advocacy. This role offers real career progression within Lifeline Australia's Capacity Campaign and philanthropy portfolio.

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major individual donors and philanthropic foundations, securing commitments.
• Drive fundraising success through executing targeted donor engagement strategies and high-quality communications.
• Strengthen relationships with donors and grant partners (Strategic Grants) to secure and grow philanthropic grants.
• Develop & implement plans to meet targets - identifying, qualifying, cultivating and soliciting stewardship of donors.
• Maintain accurate data and foster strong internal stakeholder relationships to support strategic fundraising efforts.
• Support relevant process development in relation to the growth of the Philanthropy program.

• Five years in a relationship fundraising role with preferable experience in major gifts (highly regarded).
• Demonstrated success in building, cultivating and stewarding new relationships, leading to measurable results.
• Proven knowledge of major gift fundraising, including management of databases (Salesforce highly regarded), proposal preparation, and identification, cultivation and stewardship of major donors.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic fundraising activities.
• Superior organisational and events execution skills.
• Ability to build rapport, self-motivated, passionate and goal orientated.
• Passion for the mission of Lifeline, with ability to inspire.
• Excellent verbal, written communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines and priorities.

If this is of interest, apply today. For a confidential discussion, please call or email

You don't need to tick every box – we're looking for someone who is willing to do the work, not afraid to talk to people, and who can build real relationships. We also welcome different cognitive styles and warmly welcome applications from candidates with neurodivergent profiles or disabilities.

• Associate

• Full-time

• Other

• Mental Health Care