Foundation Officer

4 weeks ago


Darling Harbour, Australia Australian National Maritime Museum Full time

Part-time 3-days per week, Ongoing, APS Level 6 position
- Attractive employee benefits including 15.4% superannuation
- Australia’s leading museum located waterside in beautiful Darling Harbour

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking a experienced and well organised Foundation Officer to join our Corporate and Community Partnership team in this 3 day per week, part-time, ongoing position.

As one of Sydney’s most visited museums, the Australian National Maritime Museum shares our national maritime story across Australia and the world, online, onsite and through research, presentations and travelling exhibitions, and provides must-visit museum experiences that delight and inspire.

We connect our visitors with the oceans and waterways that are the heartbeat of who we are. From deep time to modern Australian and beyond, we explore our past, our present and future as an island nation shaped by sea, offering a sustainable and cohesive vision for the future.

The Museum welcomes over 2.5 million local, interstate and international visitors annually, and is supported by a thriving and passionate staff, membership, volunteer and education base. Find out more at sea.museum

Reporting to the Head of Corporate and Community Partnership, the Foundation Officer will work to support the Foundation and guide the delivery of the museum’s strategic objectives in relation to private giving, donor development and bequests, including two major campaigns a year.

The position seeks to cultivate, steward, and strengthen the Museum’s philanthropic work and relationships, building the donor base and identifying and engaging donors through a regular program of events and activities. It also looks for opportunities to promote the benefits of giving, and of leaving a bequest to the Foundation. It builds and maintains strategic relationships to increase the profile of the Museum and philanthropic support generally.

The Foundation Officer prepares the Agenda and papers for the Foundation Board Meeting, including researching and writing papers at the request of the Deputy Director, and liaising with Foundation Directors, and members of Council in relation to the Museum’s fundraising program.

The Foundation is also responsible for the American Friends of the Australian National Maritime Museum. The Foundation Officer, in consultation with the Deputy Director, prepares agendas, papers and minutes for the annual meeting of the Friends.

The position administers the acquisition of objects through the Cultural Gifts Program, which involves organising valuations, completing the submission to the Australian Taxation Office, and liaising with donors and valuers in collaboration with the relevant curator.

**High level overview of accountabilities**:

- Coordinating and implementing the Foundation’s fundraising program to achieve the Museum’s strategic objectives in consultation with the Head of Corporate & Community Partnership
- Manage and maintain effective communication with the Museum’s benefactors and facilitate ongoing development.
- Researching, writing, and overseeing the production of information brochures, web content and articles that promote the Museum’s philanthropy program.
- Managing the reporting requirements for the Foundation, including periodic reports to the Foundation Board and Council.
- In close consultation with the Head of Corporate and Community Partnership and other internal stakeholders, support the Museum’s Foundation and private giving program, including acknowledgement and event management.
- Supporting the Corporate & Community Partnerships Team as required.
- Managing the budget and schedule for the Foundation, including regular reporting and oversight of payments to the Foundation. Maintain detailed and up-to-date records through CRM systems.
- Providing reports, drafting relevant papers, and liaising with the Museum's Head of Governance, Senior leadership team and Foundation Directors about the philanthropy program as required and in consultation with the Deputy Director and Head of Corporate and Community Partnership
- Liaising with curators as required about objects, acquisitions and donor recognition programs.
- Developing, managing, recording, and monitoring high level strategic relationships with donors with the aim of increasing awareness of the opportunities to support the museum through donations and bequests.
- Guiding and administering the Museum’s acquisition of objects through the Cultural Gifts Scheme.

**Selection Criteria**:

- Experience in the philanthropic arts industry and in-depth knowledge of the museum sector. Knowledge of the Australian cultural landscape is desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in donor, membership and event management and customer relationships within a contemporary cultural landscape.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and strategically with a diverse stakeholder and d