Foundation Manager

The FutureGen Foundation (FutureGen) is is the charitable arm of the IWSI Group of Companies, and is focused on supporting young Australians facing disadvantage and disengagement to attain the skills and knowledge they need to successfully transition from school into employment and forge their own career. FutureGen works with partners and supporters—government, business and community stakeholders – to facilitate customised programs enabling disadvantaged young Australians to develop employability skills and confidence required to commence a meaningful career, providing valuable workplace opportunities. The Foundation helps young Australians secure meaningful employment opportunities, (predominantly via skilled vocational education pathways), through providing a range of innovative job-readiness programs, scholarships and local school and community collaborations.

Reporting to the General Manager, and leading a small team, the Foundation Manager will build the public and philanthropic profile of a new public benevolent institution through the delivery of dynamic and successful school-to- work transition programs. This important and hands-on role will be responsible for developing and executing programs, developing strategic partnerships and stakeholder relationships, sourcing funding and preparing funding submissions for Foundation programs and activities. You will oversee the day-to-day operations of FutureGen, including managing and mentoring the team and monitoring and measuring the impact of the Foundation’s activities.

You will be a passionate fundraising professional who is ready for an exciting next step in your career where you can take leadership of a dynamic charitable foundation that is building capacity to help address complex challenges and barriers facing Australia’s youth. You will be the external face of FutureGen Foundation and proactively build opportunities to propel the Foundation to greater impact and outcomes for young people. You will have demonstrated experience in developing strategic partnerships and stakeholder relationships, sourcing funding and collaboration opportunities, and preparing grant applications, funding submissions and tenders. The ability to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of programs and activities will be important, as will managing the Foundation’s administration, reporting, grant-making, probity, compliance and regulatory requirements.

This position will play a pivotal role in empowering young Australians facing disadvantage, disengagement or barriers to employment. Proven success in building and securing sustainable financial support from significant philanthropic foundations and trusts is essential, along with excellent communication skills to present sophisticated funding applications, convey compelling stories, build cases for support and share outcomes, evidence, learnings and impact. Strong interpersonal, engagement and influencing skills are essential to build win-win relationships with diverse stakeholder groups, plus internally across the Foundation and IWSI Group of Companies. Sound knowledge of the philanthropic landscape is required, plus program management experience within a charitable, non-profit or government environment. A relevant tertiary Degree and experience in the design and delivery of youth programs or in the education or training sector will be highly regarded.