Position Overview
The Marketing, Audience and Development department plays a pivotal role in the sustainability and growth of Geelong Arts Centre and its programs. The team is tasked with maintaining existing and attracting new and diverse audiences and financial supporters, delivering the development strategy that underpins funds to realise capital and program goals.
The Senior Manager, Development leads high-value fundraising strategies, focusing on cultivating relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners to drive revenue growth.
Driving and delivering the Development strategy through nurturing integral revenue streams across, grants, philanthropy and commercial partnerships, nurturing existing relationships and cultivating new ones.
The Senior Manager, Development manages portfolios of high-net-worth individuals, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts and continuously cultivating relationships with trust and foundation stakeholders to expand funding opportunities.
Essential qualifications and experience
To be successful in this position, you will have:
- Experience in a development/sponsorship/fundraising role, preferably in an arts industry setting.
- Proven track record successfully developing and managing relationships with donors and partners.
- A confidence and ability to deal effectively with people at all levels.
- Demonstrated experience in the preparation of successful grant applications.
- Proven ability to develop, coordinate and deliver high quality stakeholder events.
- Demonstrated experience in developing, influencing and maintaining professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable qualifications and experience
- Desirable qualifications and experience
- Tertiary qualification in relevant discipline.
- Current knowledge of legislation impacting on philanthropy, Australian philanthropic ethics, and standards.
- An interest in, and knowledge of, the performing arts.
- Knowledge of the Geelong and district community.
- Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
- Design skills and experience in the use of Adobe Creative Suite.
Other requirements
- Flexibility in working hours to support daytime, evening, and some weekend work will be required as part of the normal hours of duty for this position.
The following checks, licenses and certifications are required for this role:
Working with Children’s Check (employee)
The employee must provide evidence that they hold current certifications prior to commencing employment with Geelong Arts Centre. The employee must maintain currency of these checks, licenses and certifications for the duration of their employment with Geelong Arts Centre.
Position Description
Geelong Arts Centre Enterprise Agreement
Applications close Midnight Wednesday 18 February 2026
Sound like you? Then we want to hear from you!
To apply for this opportunity please click the Apply Now button and provide a cover letter including your ability to meet the key requirements outlined in the position description, and a current CV.
Applicants will be required to undergo police and identity screening. First round interviews will be conducted either face-to-face or online. Geelong Arts Centre is an equal opportunity employer and values the contribution that diversity brings to the workplace.
Geelong Arts Centre is strongly committed to the safety and well-being of all children that interact with our organisation. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.
Geelong Arts Centre encourages and welcomes applications from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders People.
Applications are open to those with full-working rights in Australia.