The Australian Refugee Association Inc. (ARA) is a community-based organisation providing settlement, migration, and other forms of assistance to refugees, migrants and other people of concern.

As a member of our team, you will be supporting new arrivals in South Australia to achieve their social, economic, cultural and community participation goals. You will be making a difference in the lives of individuals and families as they re-establish themselves in a new home.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Philanthropy plays a critical role in enabling ARA to deliver impactful, community-led programs and respond to emerging needs.

The Major Gifts Coordinator plays an important enabling role in supporting the growth of ARA's major gifts program, with a focus on securing and stewarding high value gifts from individuals, corporate partners, and gifts in wills.

Working closely with the Development and Communications Manager, this role supports donor engagement, pipeline development, proposal preparation and stewardship activities that contribute to increased philanthropic investment and long-term supporter relationships.

This role works collaboratively across teams and with senior stakeholders to build meaningful relationships that translate ARA's work into compelling, donor-centred funding opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Major Gifts Program and Donor Engagement

• Lead the development and implementation of ARA's major gifts pipeline, including individual donors, corporate partners, and gifts in wills prospects.
• Identify, research, and qualify prospective supporters while contributing to their progression through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship stages.
• Coordinate donor engagement activities, including meetings, events, and communications, and deliver high-quality stewardship through impact reporting, updates, and recognition initiatives.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with donors to encourage long-term engagement and increased philanthropic investment.

Proposals, Partnership and Gifts in Wills

• Develop compelling cases for support, funding proposals, presentations, and donor communications that translate program information into clear, engaging, donor-centred narratives.
• Coordinate and steward corporate major gifts and partnerships by preparing tailored proposals, reports, and engagement opportunities.
• Lead engagement with confirmed and prospective bequestors and ensure appropriate stewardship and recognition of gifts in wills as part of ARA's long-term fundraising strategy.

Systems, Reporting and Internal Collaboration

• Maintain accurate donor records and track engagement activities, pipeline progression, forecasting, and performance metrics within CRM systems.
• Work collaboratively across the organisation to gather program information, impact stories, and funding opportunities.

ABOUT YOU

Required Experiences and Knowledge:

• A minimum of five years' experience in fundraising, partnerships, stakeholder engagement or a related field.
• A relevant degree in marketing, communications, or business management, or equivalent and/or knowledge gained through relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to support relationship management and donor engagement activities.
• Understanding of donor engagement principles, including cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and pipeline tracking (desirable).

Personal Attributes:

• You are a confident relationship builder and strategic fundraiser who thrives on creating meaningful partnerships.
• You bring:
  • Success managing a major gifts portfolio and securing high-value gifts.
  • Strong experience in donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
  • Excellent communication skills, with experience developing donor communications, proposals and cases for support.
  • Understanding of the Australian philanthropy landscape.
  • Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and reporting.

This role is offered as a permanent full-time position (1.0 FTE) and is classified at SCHADS Award Level 5.

Why work for ARA?

ARA's employees love the sense of belonging from being part of a welcoming and caring team with a strong sense of purpose. ARA doesn't just list its values on posters, but lives by them: We Care; We Are Courageous; and We Are Community.

We have a highly diverse workforce of over 90 people, working from modern facilities in the northern suburbs of Adelaide across three sites in Salisbury, with outreach services in the south, east and west of Adelaide. The diversity of the team covers many cultures, ethnicities, religions, and languages to create a truly multicultural workplace with most staff bringing lived experience of being a refugee or recently arrived migrant. We celebrate our diversity because it lies at the heart of our mission: building inclusive, welcoming communities where people from all backgrounds especially refugees and migrants can thrive.

In addition to industry standard salaries ARA offers employees generous salary packaging opportunities as a not-for-profit PBI (salary sacrifice), flexible working arrangements, support with ongoing personal and professional development, and cultural leave in support of religious and cultural observances.

How To Apply

Applications can be lodged by clicking on the "Apply Now" button below. Please provide a cover letter addressing the position description, along with your resume.

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence.

ARA is committed to equal employment opportunity. Individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and communities are strongly encouraged to apply.