Senior Officer, Future Giving

An excellent opportunity is available for a Senior Officer to join the Fundraising and Philanthropy Department at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

About the Position

The Fundraising and Philanthropy Department contributes to the financial sustainability of WEHI (Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) by attracting revenue from non-government sources, including philanthropic individuals, trusts and foundations, community-based fundraising organisations and bequests. Philanthropic funding helps WEHI remain at the forefront of research and technology, to recruit and retain the best staff, and creates a buffer against changes in government funding programs.

Bequests are a significant revenue stream for WEHI. This exciting role is responsible for supporting the Manager, Future Giving in the implementation of the bequest strategy with the aim of growing the pipe line of potential bequestors and deepening relationships with existing bequestors. You will assist the delivery of a donor-centric marketing and lead generation plan to raise the profile of the bequest program to internal and external stakeholders including staff, alumni, members and donors, as well as third parties, such as wills and estates lawyers, financial planners and trustee companies.

Working in collaboration with the Manager, Future Giving, a key responsibility will be relationship management of a portfolio of confirmed, intending, and considering bequestors and to participate in stewardship activities to ensure engagement and retention of constituents within your portfolio. Maintenance of donor records within the Raisers Edge platform is a critical element of this role.

Excellent written skills and experience in presenting and interacting confidently with diverse audiences is imperative. You will also have outstanding high level interpersonal skills for communicating and building relationships to effectively promote WEHI, whilst demonstrating sensitivity and confidentiality.

All members of the Fundraising & Philanthropy team work closely with the Marketing & Communications team to effectively integrate fundraising with branding, broader public awareness raising and engagement.

As a member of the wider Fundraising & Philanthropy team the Senior Officer Future Giving will contribute more broadly to the enhancement of fundraising activities at WEHI.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with the successful implementation of the bequest strategy to drive the development of the program and optimise future bequest income to help fund the WEHI’s visionary research priorities.
• In conjunction with the Manager, Future Giving, provide exceptional relationship management and assist with the planning and delivery of bequestor events and stewardship activities for current and prospective bequestors, liaising with the Donor Relations team and researchers as required.
• Assist in the implementation of tailored cultivation and solicitation of intending and considering bequest prospects including phone calls, letters, meetings, visits and other engagement activities – to successfully convert to confirmed bequestors.
• Ensure all bequest related enquiries from current supporters and prospects are responded to in a timely, professional, and highly personalised manner.
• Liaise with Philanthropy Services to develop a structured database driven approach to generating new bequests leads from current donors.
• In conjunction with relationship managers, promote WEHI to key gatekeepers, including financial advisers, solicitors and trustee companies
• Liaise with Communications Marketing to ensure all bequest collateral, advertisements and stories are current and relevant, including bequest pages on website.
• Work with members of the Major Gifts team, ensure effective and collaborative relationship management of major donors with a cross-over to the bequests program.
• In collaboration with internal stakeholders and external agencies, assist with the creation of inspiring communication materials and personalized communications.
• Identify opportunities to proactively promote the bequest program to staff, alumni, members and donors, as well as third parties and the general public to generate leads and awareness of the program.
• Monitor estates held in perpetuity or with life interest and continue relationships with family members where appropriate.
• Ensure all bequest records are accurately and diligently maintained on Raiser’s Edge to ensure the long-term integrity and accuracy of the program.
• As required, provide support for the management of the legal administration and distribution of estates, including internal processes and communications regarding the use of estate gifts.
• Contribute more broadly to the Fundraising and Philanthropy team, and broader institute.

Selection Criteria
Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• An ability to build warm, empathetic and respectful relationships with people of all ages
• Understanding of donor stewardship supported by well-developed interpersonal skills
• Outstanding written communications skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Demonstrated ability to analyse data in order to generate and follow up leads
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Current driver’s licence.

Desirable Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience working in bequest programs or a health-focused charitable organisation
• Experience in working effectively across cross-functional teams
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks
• Demonstrated time management and organisation skills
• A knowledge of Raisers Edge
• Ability to present to audiences of all sizes.

Terms of Appointment

This position is an ongoing role in a full-time capacity.

Salary is Professional Services Employee Level 6 ($83,556 – $90,445). 

Up to 17% superannuation and very attractive salary packaging options are available.

General enquiries can be directed to Anne Rady, call 0408 404 758 or email rady.a@wehi.edu.au
A position description is available here.

WEHI offers very attractive salary packaging opportunities including the option to package up to $15,900 of your pre-tax salary (to see a breakdown of what this means please refer to https://www.smartsalary.com.au/calculator/ and enter ‘Wehi’ as the employer).

Benefits & Culture
WEHI offers a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally. Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible working practices policies, financial benefits such as salary packaging, enhanced Super and most importantly a friendly team working environment & awesome ‘one for all’ culture. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.

WEHI also offers:

• Institute holidays in addition to 20 days annual leave.
• Meal entertainment card to the value of $2,650 (pre-tax salary).
• Novated car leasing options.