Senior Associate Director Development (Major Gifts)

We now have an exciting new contract opportunity until February 2028 for a Senior Associate Director of Development, Brain and Mind Centre

Join a team who are transforming brain and mind health with world-leading research and to help us achieve even more in the coming years. Through developing relationships with the University of Sydney's alumni and donors you will raise philanthropic support for research, education and outreach endeavours.

About Brain and Mind Centre

The Brain and Mind Centre's teams, partner across borders and disciplines in pursuit of a common goal: the development of better treatments for conditions of the brain and mind, improving health outcomes now and for future generations.

The Brain and Mind Centre is a global leader in research and treatment. In particular, focusing on conditions that affect child development, youth mental health and brain ageing. Our work aim's to understand individual circumstances and to develop solutions that improve the quality of life for both patients and their loved ones.

About the Position

With support from across the team and the leadership, you will build relationships through face-to-face meetings with donors, alumni and friends of the university. The most unexpected conversations will lead to great things. Your work could give a student the opportunity to study at the oldest university in Australia thanks to a donation towards scholarship support, or could enable researchers to find breakthroughs in the latest cancer treatment. Your work will not only have a huge impact but will also be considered one of the best things the donor and you, as a fundraiser, have ever achieved during your lifetime.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for Senior Associate Director of Development, Brain and Mind Centre who has:

• background in major gift fundraising, with a demonstrated ability to identify and negotiate $1 million plus gift opportunities

• a strong track record of achievement and meeting stretch financial targets

• demonstrated relationship building and strong leadership skills with the ability to engage internal and external stakeholders

• has experience leading a team and can manage and drive team performance supporting the team targets as well as well as owning a specific pipeline

• has highly developed emotional intelligence - you are self-aware with exceptional interpersonal skills

• can work autonomously and is naturally a high-achiever and driven by success both professionally and personally

• demonstrated mentoring/coaching of junior development colleagues

• has superior time-management, prioritisation and organisation skills

• an understanding of, and is passionate about how the brain works, mental health, child development and neurodegeneration

About us

The Advancement Portfolio team at the University of Sydney is one of the most successful fundraising program in Australian higher education. Having completed the nation's first $1BN fundraising campaign, the team is not only the finest performing, its success facilitates the largest real-world impact that philanthropic giving makes possible.

Since its inception 175 years ago, the University of Sydney has led to improve the world around us. We believe in education for all and that effective leadership makes lives better. These same values are reflected in our approach to philanthropy and underpin our long-term strategy for excellence and growth. We're Australia's first university and have an outstanding global reputation for academic and research excellence.


How to apply
Intending applicants are welcome to seek further information about the position and for recruitment-related enquiries, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Sarah Scott, Recruitment Partner (Advancement Portfolio), at ••••@sydney.edu.au


Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For a continuing position, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

Closing date: 11:59pm Sunday, 6th September 2026


The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.