Bequest (BQ) Acquisition Specialist

The Bequest (BQ) Acquisition Specialist
at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT supports the growth of the charity's bequest pipeline by identifying, engaging, and cultivating prospective bequestors. This role focuses on acquisition activity in the early stages of the bequest journey, working collaboratively with the Gifts In Wills (GIW) team, Key Relationship Managers, and broader Fundraising division to develop and implement tailored strategies. By delivering meaningful outreach, engagement, and stewardship, the role ensures long-term donor intent and sustainable revenue growth.

Responsibilities

• Research, identify, and qualify new prospective bequestors.
• Conduct outreach via phone, email, mail, and events to introduce bequest opportunities.
• Build meaningful early-stage relationships with potential supporters, fostering trust and long-term intent.
• Work in alignment with GIW-led engagement activities to convert interest generated at events and community activations into bequest prospects.
• Implement tailored acquisition strategies in collaboration with Key Relationship team, and the wider GIW team.
• Support delivery of events, briefings, and campaigns to engage prospective bequestors.
• Provide appropriate information and materials to inspire donor interest in leaving a gift in their will.
• Coordinate with Supporter Experience and Journeys Manager to ensure acquisition pathways connect into automated journeys and stewardship streams.
• Work with the GIW and broader Fundraising team to ensure acquisition aligns with supporter journeys and long-term growth objectives.
• Collaborate across teams to share insights and leverage integrated campaigns.
• Provide regular feedback to Mass Fundraising and Philanthropy teams where prospects may transition into higher-value donor journeys.
• Capture leads, conversations, and outcomes accurately in Salesforce.
• Maintain an up-to-date and reliable acquisition pipeline.
• Provide regular reporting, analysis, and insights to monitor acquisition effectiveness.
• Contribute to ongoing refinement of acquisition strategies.
• Provide recommendations to improve supporter engagement and conversion.
• Stay up to date with sector best practice in bequest acquisition.
• Benchmark performance against sector GIW/bequest pipeline metrics to inform strategy.
• Models collaboration, creativity, candour and curiosity in team culture.

Qualifications and skills

• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, donor acquisition, sales, or relationship management with measurable growth outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to engage and influence prospective supporters.
• Proven ability to plan and execute outreach/engagement strategies across multiple channels.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and accurate record keeping.
• Experience working with CRM systems (ideally Salesforce) and managing supporter data.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to partner across multiple teams and functions.
• Results-driven mindset with capacity to analyse and report on performance.
• Experience working in community engagement or event-based fundraising contexts (IE GIW, activations, supporter events) with the ability to convert participant interest into long-term donor intent.
• Experience working in community engagement or event-based fundraising contexts (IE GIW, activations, supporter events) with the ability to convert participant interest into long-term donor intent.

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.