Associate Director Develoment (Major Gifts)

Associate Director of Development role with a specific focus Museums and cultural engagement

HEO 8 Fixed term secondment opportunity until July 2026

Starting salary of $126,065 base plus 17% superannuation and leave loading.

Are you passionate about history, culture, sciences, and the arts? We are looking for a self-motivated and passionate fundraiser for the Advancement portfolio in our Faculty of Arts and Culture team.

As an experienced fundraiser in our arts and culture team, you will be responsible for raising major financial gifts that will support projects and programs to support the Library and our Chau Chak Wing Museum which sits at the nexus of art, history, culture and sciences, as well as broader cultural engagement across the University.

You will develop relationships with high net worth donors, connecting their passions with work that would otherwise not be undertaken, or education and outreach opportunities to support the next generation of leaders and thinkers. You will build strong internal relationships with senior leaders to understand how their critical work can be aligned with donor passions. You would be a part of lifting the profile of philanthropy across the institution.

Working for one of the most successful fundraising programs in Australian higher education. Having completed the nation’s first $1 billion fundraising campaign and embarking on the next, this is an exciting time to join the team. To support this wide range of fundraising activity, we are investing in our capacity.

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 an Associate Director Development, museums and cultural engagement, who:

Has experience as a development professional including the cultivation and solicitation 6 and 7 figure major gifts

Can demonstrate a high level of cultural competence and an understanding of the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to the University of Sydney

is a natural relationship builder who enjoy interacting with people one on one and fostering relationships with people at different levels and from different cultures

has excellent communication skills, both listening and written in order to develop compelling proposals that align to a prospective donor’s interest

is passionate about people leadership and mentoring and has experience leading a team is strategic and can plan months, sometimes even years in advance

has highly developed emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills

is a high achiever and naturally driven by success both professionally and personally

has a positive attitude, always striving for excellence with a donor centric approach.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

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.

Australian Temporary Residents currently employed at the University of Sydney may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

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.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve.

We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. In your cover letter, please ensure you respond to our key bullet-points under our ‘About you’ section.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Sarah Scott, Recruitment Partner by email to

Closing Date: 11:59pm 5th January 2026

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications CloseMonday 05 January 2026 11:59 PM

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