Guide Dogs Victoria provides high quality training to maximise the independence of people living with low vision or blindness. Our professional services extend beyond the provision of guide dogs, and include innovative children's mobility programs, orientation and mobility training for adults and people living with an acquired brain injury (ABI), and social networking programs to support active community participation. Guide Dogs Victoria is also Australia's most trusted charity and an employer of choice in the disability sector. Our staff enjoy an inclusive and collaborative working environment where talent is recognised and innovation is encouraged.

Reporting into the Philanthropy Manager, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join our successful Philanthropy team as a Philanthropy Advisor. In this role, you will identify, cultivate and steward individual major donors, in order to secure major gifts supporting Guide Dogs’ mission and services. You will account manage a portfolio of existing and potential major donors and be responsible for each donor’s journey from identification, introduction and developing relationships, through to matching donor interests to Guide Dogs’ funding needs, soliciting gifts, and providing excellent donor care and supporter benefits.

In this role you will be responsible to:

• Conduct research, donor data analysis and targeted marketing to identify potential major donors.
• Qualify potential major donors through personal contact and discussion via phone, personal visits, event attendance, additional background research and other strategies.
• Develop and sustain authentic, professional and personable relationships with major donors through a tailored program of communications and engagements.
• Lead, develop and grow our most engaging fundraising program - Guide Dog Partner Program - with philanthropic individuals.
• Develop and sustain a broad and detailed knowledge of Guide Dogs services, and how these services may be funded by major donors to support people with sight loss.
• Contribute to the delivery of events for major donors and other Philanthropy supporters.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting as required.
• Ongoing collaboration with others to effectively manage major donor relationships.
• Live the organisational values in all actions and interaction.

The successful candidate will have:

• Prior fundraising experience in a similar role with relevant tertiary qualifications.
• High emotional intelligence, coupled with sophisticated relationship management skills and persuasive communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Strong interpersonal/social, networking and negotiation skills which will enable you to manage the goals of the organisation in conjunction with those of major donors.
• Strong organisation, administrative and computer skills, including ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Comfortability working with and handling large dogs.
• Valid driver’s licence.
• A strong client and customer focus and a commitment to person centred service practices.
• A commitment to live the values and behaviours of Guide Dogs Victoria.
• A strong alignment with the vision of Guide Dogs Victoria in delivering independence to people who are blind or have low vision.

Benefits that Guide Dogs Victoria offer:

• A competitive remuneration package is available commensurate with skills and experience, which includes tax free salary packaging of up to $13,650;
• Flexible working arrangements;
• Fully funded tool of trade motor vehicle;
• 6 weeks paid parental leave;
• A week of Study Leave and educational assistance;
• Access to an external mentoring program with the Institute of Managers and Leaders;
• Employee assistance program for employees and for members of their household;
• Annual onsite flu vaccinations or vouchers for vaccinations close to home with participating partners; and
• Quarterly Reward and Recognition program.

Please be advised that the successful candidate in this position will be required to complete a Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening Clearance.

Mandatory for all new staff to Guide Dogs Victoria:

Guide Dogs Victoria is a disability service provider that is captured by the Victorian Government COVID-19 vaccination Pandemic Orders. All employees are required to comply with COVID-19 vaccination requirements as a condition of their employment, including third dose vaccinations. Vaccination evidence or valid medical exemption must be provided prior to the commencement date.