Competitive salary - Part time or full time - Melbourne-based (CBD) - Flexible working conditions

About us

Action for Dolphins (AFD) is a non-profit organisation that has been working to gain protection for, and prevent the suffering of, dolphins and other marine animals since 2012.

Our ambassadors include Olivia Newton-John, Pat Rafter, Isabel Lucas, Peter Singer, former Nobel Prize Winners, government ministers, and Australians of the Year.

Our primary campaigns include bringing an end to dolphin hunting, phasing out inhumane dolphin captivity, and removing lethal marine nets.

We achieve our goals by bringing strategic legal actions and powerful advocacy and lobbying campaigns. We are a small team but have achieved big results, including:

• shutting down 50% of the demand for live dolphins from the world's largest dolphin hunts in Taiji, Japan
• bringing a world-first legal action using strategic consumer law targeting misleading advertisements against an Australian marine entertainment park housing captive dolphins
• giving evidence at the Parliamentary Inquiry that led to the NSW legislative ban on the captive breeding of cetaceans
• seeing to the removal of shark nets from the beaches of Ballina, NSW

We are now looking for a passionate and talented Philanthropy & Grants Manager to help achieve our high ambitions, and take our impact for marine animals to the next level.

About the role

The Philanthropy & Grants Manager will be responsible for securing vital funds for AFD through major gifts, grants, trusts & foundations, and corporate partnerships. The role also includes contributing to digital marketing appeals, bequests, and broader community fundraising and engagement.

The successful applicant will be a well-networked relationship fundraiser with a passion for animal welfare and protecting the marine environment, and have a proven track record for securing major gifts and grants on behalf of NFPs.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a small and dynamic team focused on achieving maximum impact for animals and the environment.

As Philanthropy & Grants Manager you will:

• Manage AFD's major gift program, taking over selected existing relationships
• Use your existing network and build new networks to identify new funding and relationship opportunities for AFD
• Manage AFD's grants program, including applying regularly for new grants and finding new auxiliary funds, trusts and foundations to partner with
• Work with the Campaigns Officer to deliver on grant KPIs
• Supervise the acquittal of grants received
• Deliver on financial targets and produce monthly reports outlining progress
• Contribute to digital marketing appeals, including helping with strategy and writing/ editing of EDMs
• Contribute to broader campaign and organisational strategy
• Manage junior staff members and volunteers

Key Selection Criteria

• 3+ years experience working in a similar role
• Proven capability for bringing in major gifts and grants for NFPs, and achieving fundraising targets
• Strong networking skills, and confidence forging relationships with donors and making fundraising asks
• Existing relationships with major donors and private auxiliary funds is a strong advantage
• Melbourne-based, but willing to travel domestically to meet donors (Covid-permitting)
• Tertiary qualifications in a related discipline preferred

Note: if you do not hit all of this selection criteria but have a genuine passion for the work we do at AFD, please still apply.

What we can offer you

• A high level of influence and autonomy as part of a small and highly-ambitious team
• Competitive remuneration, and generous holidays and leave provisions
• A very friendly, inclusive and supportive work environment, with lots of flexibility (including some remote working)
• A central-Melbourne location in a beautiful open-plan office
• A strong commitment to your career development, including budget for trainings or other growth opportunities

How to Apply

If you have a passion for protecting marine life and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you! Click "Apply Now" to submit your application.

Successful applicants will be contacted for interviews within two weeks.