Senior Manager, Philanthropy

We are committed to providing services for people with low vision or blindness by tailoring solutions to help overcome barriers and build independent and fulfilling lives.

We are united in our shared mission of creating opportunities, championing the rights of people with low vision or blindness, and building communities who share our mindset and ambition for accessibility and inclusivity.

With a strong culture of innovation, learning, flexibility and belonging, we live our values and allow our team members to be the best version of themselves inside and outside work.

The Senior Manager, Philanthropy leads the Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships function driving sales growth in major donor and corporate revenue. This role owns the strategic direction and pipeline management from prospecting and acquisition through conversion and stewardship. They will work with the Senior Leadership to align Philanthropy with broader organisational fundraising and supporter growth strategy.

Key Focus Areas:

• Lead the development and execution of the philanthropy sales strategy to grow major gifts and trust/foundation income.
• Drive alignment between philanthropy and donor products with organisational objectives to maximise mission impact.
• Personally manage and grow a portfolio of high-value donors and prospects, with accountability for closing multi-year and transformational gifts
• Develop and maintain a robust prospect pipeline strategy, through targeted research and data-driven segmentation to secure sustainable long-term funding.
• Design, test and refine compelling donor products: persuasive cases for support, structured offers and proposals that directly align with donor motivations and organisational goals.
• Lead and mentor the Philanthropy team, building a culture of collaboration, accountability, high performance and performance against revenue targets.
• Work with the Board, CEO and senior leaders to engage their networks and support donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Digital, and Supporter Engagement teams to ensure Philanthropy activity integrates seamlessly with end-to-end supporter journeys and campaigns.
• Represent the organisation externally with senior stakeholders, cultivating high-value relationships and partnerships that align with organisational goals and values.
• Models collaboration, creativity, candour and curiosity in team culture.
• Prepare regular reports and insights for leadership and board reporting.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, sales ROI analysis and revenue pipeline tracking.
• Provide transparent reporting on sales pipeline health, conversion metrics and revenue delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement by monitoring KPIs, reporting on outcomes and applying insights to refine sales approach, donor products and pipeline management. Keep up to date with relevant industry trends and standards.

Essential Experience:

• Significant experience in Philanthropy, corporate partnerships, or major donor fundraising, with a proven sales orientation, ideally within a not-for-profit sector or comparable sector.
• Proven track record of  prospecting, cultivating and closing significant gifts, partnerships or major donor commitments and building long term donor/partner relationships.

• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing high performing teams towards clear revenue and sales targets.

• Excellent strategic thinking skills, planning and pipeline management skills.

• Strong influencing and relationship management skills abilities with senior external stakeholders, with demonstrated success in converting relationships into secured commitments.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across internal teams and integrate Philanthropy into organisational strategy.

• Strong financial acumen, with experience in forecasting, reporting and drive ROI from fundraising initiatives.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and present compelling donor offers that lead to commitments.

Benefits that Guide Dogs offer:

As a member of the Guide Dogs team, you will have access to a wide range of benefits tailored to your needs.

• A competitive remuneration package is available commensurate with skills and experience, which includes tax free salary packaging of up to $15,900.
• EAP - Get support when you need it with Employee Assistance Program counselling sessions.
• Me Days – Receive two paid days per year to support your health and wellbeing.
• Paid Parental Leave – take time to bond with your new child with 15 weeks paid leave after qualification period
• The option to purchase up to 4 weeks additional leave each year.
• Employee benefits program and Reward and Recognition program.
• Annual flu vaccinations.
• Support for your professional development including paid study leave and educational assistance.
• Join an organisation that makes a meaningful and positive impact on our society.

Guide Dogs Values:

• Our clients come first in everything we do
• Walk the Talk - The buck stops with us. So we keep our word and keep going, no matter what.
• Lead with Head and Heart - Forever focused on our purpose and mission, we combine care and careful planning to deliver successes worth celebrating.
• Lift each other - From a guiding hand to a high five, we unleash and acknowledge everyone's potential.
• Never stop exploring - We're fearlessly creative. We've always asked and answered the tough questions and if there's a better way, we'll find it.

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT are proud to be an inclusive workplace that reflects our clients and the broader community and are committed to providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. We offer equal employment opportunity regardless of your disability, gender or gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital or domestic status, carer status, or political opinion.

If you require an adjustment within the recruitment process, please contact  to inform us of your preferred method of communication.