Head of Partnerships

Role summary

As a key member of FRRR’s Executive Leadership Team, the Head of Partnerships will shape and deliver our partnership strategy to drive income growth, diversification, and long-term sustainability. Reporting to the CEO, this role will cultivate high-trust relationships with philanthropic, corporate, government, and individual supporters; positioning FRRR as a trusted intermediary and thought leader in rural renewal.

Leading a small, high-performing team, you will bring strategic vision, commercial acumen, and exceptional stakeholder engagement skills to secure investment, amplify FRRR’s impact, and ensure we can deliver on our ambitious 2026–2028 Strategic Plan for rural and remote Australia.

Who you are (selection criteria)

- You hold tertiary qualifications in Marketing, Sales, Philanthropy, Business or related fields, and ideally have first-hand experience working with rural, regional, or remote communities, with a deep appreciation for place-based approaches.
- You are a proven fundraising and partnerships leader, with a strong track record of driving revenue growth across philanthropy, corporate engagement, major gifts and fee-for-service initiatives.
- You possess deep and trusted networks within the philanthropic and corporate sectors, cultivated through strategic relationship-building and a focus on shared impact goals.
- You are commercially astute and impact-driven, with the ability to identify, shape, and convert opportunities into sustainable outcomes that strengthen an organisation’s mission and financial sustainability.
- You are agile and ambitious, thrive in dynamic environments, confident in making and owning decisions, and willing to challenge established approaches to create positive disruption.
- You are a compelling communicator who is able to engage, influence, and inspire diverse audiences; from grassroots communities to corporate boardrooms with clarity, authenticity, and purpose.
- You are a hands-on leader who rolls up your sleeves, while empowering your team to take ownership of their portfolios, fostering accountability, innovation, and shared success.
- You bring exceptional stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, enabling high-trust collaborations across sectors, geographies, and levels of influence.
- You hold executive-level written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop strategic reports, compelling narratives, and persuasive donor journeys.

Key responsibilities

- Design and evolve FRRR’s partnership strategy to reflect emerging trends in philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, and place-based investment, ensuring alignment with FRRR’s five cross-cutting impact themes.
- Lead revenue diversification efforts across philanthropic grants, major gifts, fee-for-service offerings, and insights-based products, ensuring financial resilience and mission alignment.
- Collaborate with the Communications team to craft compelling narratives, donor journeys, and impact stories that resonate across diverse audiences.
- Oversee donor-advised services, ensuring excellence in stewardship, impact reporting, and shared value creation.
- Lead and mentor a high-performing Partnerships team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and shared success.

Please see the Head of Partnerships position description for more.

Who we are

FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) supports remote, rural, and regional communities across Australia to be vibrant, resilient, and sustainable. We work alongside communities to catalyse locally led solutions, especially in areas facing systemic challenges.

We are strategically focused on supporting impact across five cross-cutting themes:

- Next generation transition
- Outback and very remote communities
- Climate solutions
- Disaster resilience
- First Nations self-determination

Our core values centre around collaboration and constant improvement. We have created a dynamic, flexible, and supportive work environment. FRRR is an Equal Opportunity employer.

Our 2026 - 2028 Strategic Plan

FRRR has launched its 2026–2028 Strategic Plan: A Catalytic FRRR for the Next Generation of Rural and Remote Australia. At the heart of this new and ambitious strategy is the recognition that rural and remote communities are vital to Australia’s identity, wellbeing and future, yet the systems that shape access to funding, services, infrastructure and decision-making are largely designed for metropolitan and regional centres. This creates persistent barriers to inclusion, investment and voice.

Despite these challenges, rural and remote communities continue to demonstrate resilience, creativity and care. FRRR exists to bridge this systemic gap. We connect resources, build enduring local skills and knowledge, and reshape how rural and remote Australia is seen, valued and supported. We listen to aspirations, attract and direct targeted investment, facilitate capacity and community-building infrastructure, and advocate for stronger dialogue between communities, government and metro Australia.

Our approach is grounded in community-led development, collaboration and a deep understanding of complexity and system change. This works because we:

- work in a place-based way that embraces the diversity of communities;
- partner with First Nations people and communities;
- support young people and the next generation; and
- we engage strategically with the challenges of climate change and disaster resilience.

These themes underpin our five strategic pillars:

- Strengthen support where FRRR makes the biggest difference
- Influence change for better rural futures
- Smarter use of funding and capital to drive change
- Leverage systems and technology to improve our impact
- Make rural insight and FRRR’s impact visible and powerful

Delivering on this strategy requires a team that will not only support the plan but elevate it; bringing energy, expertise and experience to ensure FRRR achieves catalytic, enduring impact for the next generation of rural and remote Australia.

What we offer

- Flexible hours and the option to work hybrid or fully remote, supporting balance and wellbeing.
- Ongoing professional development, including an annual staff conference hosted in regional Australia to connect, learn, and grow together.
- A culture of growth and innovation, where new ideas are welcomed, and your contribution makes a tangible difference.
- The opportunity to work alongside a highly skilled, values-driven, and committed team.
- The chance to be part of a nationally reputable organisation making real, lasting impact in rural, regional, and remote communities.
- Access to confidential support and counselling through our Employee Assistance Program.
- For those working from our Bendigo CBD office, we’re located just two minutes from the train station, with end-of-trip amenities for your convenience.
- Above all, the opportunity to be part of something bigger – shaping the future of rural and remote Australia.

Additional adjustments

We are committed to providing an inclusive experience to all candidates. If you have a disability, condition, illness or access requirements, please let us know how we can best support you throughout your recruitment experience.

We recognise that each individual’s needs are different. Some examples of adjustments we can provide include (but are not limited to):

- Alternative formats or ways to submit your application (verbal or video)
- Flexible communication methods
- Additional time to complete tasks, assessments or pre-interview work
- Support from a support person or advocate during interviews
- Modifications to the interview structure, environment or timing

If you require additional adjustments, or would like to discuss any access needs as a part of the application and recruitment process, please contact us via email recruitment@shehrconsulting.com

Our candidate experience

We aim to be transparent and kind to all of our candidates. We value your time, and as such want to share how we do things so you know what to expect with no nasty surprises. For more information on our end-to-end candidate experience, please visit the SHE HR Consulting website.

How to apply

To express your interest, submit an online application through our application portal and include a professional resume. All applicants must also provide brief responses to the application questions that are included as part of the online application.

Note: we do not accept cover letters as part of our application process.

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and we may close our job advertisement without notice, so don’t delay your application.

FRRR is an equal opportunity employer and strives to maintain a workplace environment that is fair and free of discrimination, is safe and accessible for all employees, and provides working arrangements that accommodate the diverse needs of our staff. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally- and linguistically-diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people and people of every ethnicity, faith, ability, culture, language, gender identity, age, and sex.

Employment in this position is conditional upon reception and maintenance of reference checks as part of pre-employment screening, and a Working With Children Check (or state equivalent).

As part of our employment screening process, we do run police checks. But don’t worry—having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you.

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