Deputy Director, Advancement

• Full time, 5-year contract senior - level position
• Parramatta South campus with flexible working arrangements
• Grow philanthropic support that creates opportunities at scale.

Lead fundraising performance, major gifts and campaigns that expand philanthropic support and long-term institutional impact.

 

The Opportunity
You will provide senior operational leadership across the University’s fundraising and donor engagement activities, translating strategic ambition into measurable outcomes. Working closely with the Executive Director, Advancement, you will help deliver the University’s Accelerating Ambitions strategy through strong planning, disciplined execution and clear performance oversight.

You will lead frontline fundraising teams, set and monitor portfolio activity and pipeline performance, and strengthen donor engagement strategies across the Advancement portfolio. A key part of the role is managing a portfolio of high-value prospects and donors, developing cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies, and supporting complex donor engagement involving senior University leaders, academics, researchers, the Vice-Chancellor and the Chancellor.

You will also shape major fundraising campaigns and strategic philanthropic initiatives by working with Faculties, Research Institutes and University leaders to identify compelling opportunities aligned to institutional priorities. Alongside this, you will build fundraising capability across teams, coach leaders in donor engagement, improve forecasting and reporting, and help embed consistent, ethical and evidence-based fundraising practice. This role is central to building a scalable, high-performing Advancement function and a stronger culture of philanthropy across the University.

What Success Looks Like:

• Lead frontline fundraising teams to achieve strong portfolio activity, donor engagement and fundraising performance.
• Build and manage a sustainable pipeline of high-value prospects and donors, with accurate forecasting and clear portfolio discipline.
• Deliver major fundraising campaigns and philanthropic initiatives that align with University priorities and attract donor investment.
• Strengthen fundraising capability across the Advancement portfolio through coaching, development and best-practice processes.
• Increase engagement of academic and senior leaders in donor relationships, cultivation and stewardship.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

 

About You

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in business, communications, marketing, fundraising, management, education or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and professional experience. Postgraduate qualifications are desirable.
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, business development, stakeholder engagement or relationship management within higher education, research, healthcare, not for profit or similarly complex organisations.
• Proven experience securing significant philanthropic support, managing donor portfolios and pipelines, and delivering campaigns or strategic initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Significant leadership experience, including coaching and developing high-performing teams and fostering accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Strong strategic planning, communication, negotiation and influencing skills, supported by experience using CRM systems, fundraising databases and reporting tools.

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

 
Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Hiring Manager, Christian Boudin, Executive Director, Advancement via C.Burden@westernsydney.edu.au Please include the job reference code REF1597S
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Wednesday 30th September 2026
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

 

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.