Fundraising and Engagement Lead

Full Time | SCHADS Level 4 + Salary Packaging | Inner East Melbourne | ADO

The Opportunity

We are seeking a passionate Partnerships and Fundraising Lead to help us diversify our income, grow our reach, deepen our relationships, and drive sustainable support for people escaping family violence.

This is a purpose-driven role where your expertise in fundraising and partnerships will directly contribute to the lives of people escaping violence. You’ll lead the charge on innovative fundraising strategies, cultivate major donors and corporate partners, and bring our mission to life through compelling storytelling and community engagement.

If you thrive on building authentic connections, managing diverse income streams, and using your creativity to grow donor engagement, this opportunity is your chance to lead with purpose and create lasting change.

Reporting to the Director of People and Culture you’ll be responsible for:

• Lead the strategy and implementation of major donations, trust, foundations, philanthropy, grants and corporate partnerships.

• Maintain and build accurate donor records and performance metrics.

• Identify, research and secure new funding opportunities such as grants, philanthropic funding, diverse fundraising streams and donor-aligned programs

• Work with service delivery to ensure budgets, KPIs and stories are embedded in proposals.

• Use email, CRM segmentation, marketing strategies, social media and other digital tools to grow and convert donors and followers.

• Develop donor-centric content for newsletters, digital campaigns, website and appeals and use storytelling techniques to share client-informed impact and organisational updates.

• Coordinate and deliver events in line with strategic fundraising calendar. Represent Refuge Victoria at external meetings, networking functions, philanthropic events and grant briefings and contribute to partnership proposals, donor briefings and cultivation plans.

About You

As a small and passionate team, we’re looking for someone with a can-do attitude and enjoys being part of a collaborative, team focused environment. This opportunity is for someone who thrives on building meaningful relationships, loves turning ideas into action, and is driven by a deep commitment to social impact and community change. If you’re a strategic think who can build trust and rapport with donors, philanthropist and stakeholders and develop compelling proposals and cases then this role is for you.

You will bring (key selection criteria):

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in fundraising, donor relations, events, philanthropy or a similar revenue-generating role. Certificate in Fundraising or Philanthropy is desirable.

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Social Impact, Digital Media, Philanthropy, Business or another relevant field.

• Proven track record in securing diverse income, including grants, philanthropy, major gifts, campaigns or corporate sponsorships, ideally bringing a network of relationships in philanthropy and corporate relationships.

• Demonstrated success in designing and delivering multi-channel fundraising campaigns that drive donor acquisition, retention and revenue growth.

• Strong digital and data skills, including experience with fundraising CRMs, email marketing platforms (e.g. Campaign Monitor), and digital tools such as Canva, Monday, Raisely, or similar.

• Exceptional project management and organisational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities, deadlines and stakeholders.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, especially storytelling and donor engagement.

• Experience in community fundraising, social enterprise or sponsorships.

• Familiarity with segmentation, analysis and email campaign strategy.

• Comfortable speaking to donors, running events and building external relationships.

What’s on Offer

• Salary at SCHADS Level 4, plus superannuation.

• Up to $15,900 salary packaging +$2,650 meals and entertainment

• Accrued Days Off (ADO)

• Modern Offices – Inner east Melbourne suburbs

• Friendly work environment with regular supervision and professional development

• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Other Requirements

• Current Employee Working with Children Check and Police Check

• Compliance with Refuge Victoria’s Immunisation policy

• Commitment to Refuge Victoria’s values, child safety standards, and inclusion policies.

Join Us

At Refuge Victoria, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with a disability, and those with lived experience of family violence.

To apply, please submit:

• A cover letter addressing the key selection criteria

• Your resume outlining relevant experience

For further information please email Rachael (Director of People and Culture) at rachaeln@refugevictoria.org.au

Applications Close: 8th August 2025