Role:  Senior Philanthropy Relationship Manager - Major Gifts - Taronga Zoo

• Located at Sydney’s Iconic - Taronga Zoo!  

• Temporary 12 months, Full-time position 

• TCSA Salaried Employees Award, Clerk Grade 10, annual package $157,022 (includes base salary $138,539 + plus superannuation & leave loading) 

Taronga Zoo Sydney is looking for a strategic relationship builder with a passion for conservation. 

Join our Philanthropy team to cultivate and secure major gifts that support bold, future-focused projects like our rewilding sanctuary, Habitat Positive.  

You'll manage high-value donor relationships from introduction to gift, turning complex conservation goals into inspiring opportunities for impact.  

About the Role… 

Making a significant impact on the trajectory of critically endangered species, this role is responsible for securing high-value transformational gifts that support Taronga’s ongoing vital conservation work. Proactively engage, manage and nurture relationships to secure major gifts to the Taronga Foundation across a portfolio of 20+ existing high net worth donors whilst actively growing the donor pipeline of engaged individuals aligned to Taronga’s key pillars across conservation, education and wildlife care. Working closely with the Head of Relationship Fundraising and the Major Gifts team, this role delivers on philanthropic fundraising to achieve a team income target of approximately $10 million.   

Key Accountabilities… 

• Demonstrate best practice in relationship management by proactively managing high-value donors with tailored cultivation and stewardship plans.   

• Use proved new business strategies to identify individuals with the capacity and interest to support Taronga’s work and manage relationships from introduction to gift ask.   

• Successfully cultivate new donors to secure support to Taronga’s key projects with a particular focus on Taronga’s new rewilding sanctuary, Habitat Positive.   

• Develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major donors.  

• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors capable of giving gifts of AU$100,000+ (often much higher).  

• Realise personal annual fundraising targets and work collaborative with the broader Philanthropy team to support the overall financial target.   

• Collaborate with Taronga leadership to secure transformational gifts and multi-year commitments.  

• Prepare compelling proposals, impact reports and donor communications, ensuring alignment to donor’s areas of interest.  

• Translate complex organisational needs into inspiring philanthropic opportunities.  

• Develop and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across key supporter networks that enable the generation of financial support for Taronga and its programs while enhancing the brand of Taronga.  

• Ensure written proposals are of the highest quality and develop tailored presentations specifically to meet donors personal interests.  

• Support the Head of Relationship Fundraising in the development and implementation of fundraising strategies for Taronga projects including income forecasts, cultivation action plans and event scheduling.  

• Manage and report against income and expenditure targets for your portfolio of donors.  

• Develop and maintain excellent data management and income records across major donors.  

About You… 

We are looking for candidates that have:  

• Tertiary qualifications in Marketing, or related area.  

• Extensive experience in Major Gifts, fundraising and business development  

• Hold a current NSW Drivers License or ability to have existing license formally recognised.  

• Obtain and maintain a current NSW Working with Children Check at own expense.  

Benefits… 

Our employees enjoy generous employment conditions including some of the following: 

• Flexible Hybrid work model - Taronga supports a blend of in-office, remote, and on-the-go workers! 

• Complimentary family and friends passes across both Taronga’s Sydney & Dubbo Zoo’s 

• Free onsite car parking, outside of peak periods  

• A wide range of discounts on our award winning accommodation across both sites 

• Discounted food and beverage purchases across the sites 

• Discounted Fitness Passport 

• We’re a social team - there’s always lots going on around the zoo that we get involved with! 

• + more! 

We Value Diversity… 

Taronga is an equal opportunity employer, where we recognise the diversity of our workforce and community – be it on the basis of gender, age, culture, religion, language or personal circumstances.  

Taronga is also committed to building on the perspectives, experience, knowledge and skills that this diversity brings to our organisation. 

About Applying… 

Please submit your resume and a cover letter of one page. You are also required to complete the two target questions as part of your application. 

1. Please describe your experience in securing six figure and seven figure major gifts. What strategies did you use to identify, cultivate, and steward these donors and what has led to your success in this area? 

2. Taronga’s philanthropic priorities can be complex and science-led. Give an example of how you’ve successfully translated complex organisational goals into compelling donor proposals or conversations.