"Chief Advancement Officer"

Chief Advancement Officer

Footscray, Australia

Job Info

Job Identification 17592

Job Category Construction & Property Project/Program Management

Posting Date 03/10/2026, 03:09 AM

Locations Footscray Park

Apply Before 03/24/2026, 01:00 PM

Job Schedule Full time

Job Description

About VUAt Victoria University, our aim is to be a global leader in dual-sector learning and research by 2028. Join us on the journey and help us achieve our strategic drives embedded in our Strategic Plan 2022-2028: Start well, finish brilliantly. One of the drivers “Thriving place to Study and Work” will enable us to continue to create places that our students and staff love to belong and feel immense pride.

About the TeamThe Chief Advancement Officer will sit within the External Relations and Partnerships portfolio, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, External Relations and Partnerships. In this role, you will work closely with the DVC leadership team and senior leaders across the University to build and lead a contemporary advancement function that mobilises philanthropy, alumni and partners in service of VU’s mission, values and long-term strategic priorities. You will play a pivotal role in shaping and embedding a sustainable advancement culture across the University, positioning VU for transformational philanthropic investment and deepening engagement with alumni, donors and impact partners.

About the RoleWe are pleased to introduce a newly created executive position Chief Advancement Officer. Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, External Relations and Partnerships, the Chief Advancement Officer provides strategic and operational leadership for Victoria University’s advancement function.

The role brings together a diverse range of responsibilities including leading the implementation of VU’s comprehensive, multi-year advancement strategy, development of a revenue plan for VU and lead the implementation of major funding plans, establishing e a bequest and legacy giving program and lead an alumni engagement strategy that empowers alumni to champion VU.

You will foster a whole-of-university culture of philanthropy, stewardship and external engagement. 

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and lead the implementation of VU’s comprehensive, multi-year advancement strategy with a strategic focus on significantly increasing philanthropic income, enhancing donor and alumni engagement and operational efficiency.

Collaborate on the development of a revenue plan for VU and lead the implementation of major funding plans that leverage philanthropy and industry, with a focus on VU strategic initiatives.

Develop a structured fundraising pipeline focused on major and principal gifts, increasing annual philanthropic funds raised annually, aligned to VU’s priorities in student equity and excellence (scholarships and student support), research with impact and other major strategic initiatives.

Establish and scale a bequest and legacy giving program as a core component of VU’s structured fundraising model, strengthening long-term income, donor lifetime value and future financial sustainability.

Lead best-practice proposal development, prospect research, donor recognition, pipeline development, stewardship and impact reporting, building VU’s reputation as a trusted steward of significant philanthropic investment.

Develop and lead an alumni engagement strategy that empowers alumni to champion VU, and supports future giving and bequest intentions, while strengthening student employment outcomes, mentoring, advocacy and institutional reputation.

Provide strategic advice to the Executive and Council, and ensure robust frameworks for measuring impact, evaluation and reporting. 

Salary: Senior Staff Contract –17% Super

Employment Type: Full Time – Fixed Term 3 years

Hours: 36.75/1 FTE

Location: Footscray Park Campus – 3 days on site.

For a detailed overview of the role’s duties and responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description - Chief Advancement Officer

About YouYou are a visionary and collaborative leader, passionate about advancing VU’s advancement function. You bring:

Extensive experience in in initiating and managing significant, successful, high level relationships with donors, funders, partners and stakeholders in a large and complex organisation, with a particular emphasis on driving revenue.

A well-developed, existing professional network, which can be leveraged to accelerate the establishment of a high-value donor pipeline, while adhering to all ethical, legal and confidentiality requirements.

Demonstrated ability to work strategically across complex organisations to develop and deliver donor ready projects, including experience shaping compelling philanthropic propositions and ensuring projects supported by donations are effectively governed and executed.

Demonstrated and sustained success in building or scaling fundraising and engagement functions, preferably within higher education or comparable sectors.

Demonstrated experience leading major gift strategies and/or large-scale fundraising programs.

Commitment to the values of equity, inclusion and continuous improvement.

The University is a Child Safe organisation. You will be required to hold a current Employee Working with Children Check (WWCC) or be willing to obtain one prior to commencing employment. Who to Contact? For further information relating to the position, please contact our Deputy Vice-Chancellor, External Relations and Partnerships Office at DVC.ERP@vu.edu.au. 

How to ApplyApplications must be submitted:

A cover letter

Your curriculum vitae/resume

Your responses addressing all selection criteria located in the position description

Evidence of applicable qualifications, licences and registration

Applications will close Tuesday 24 March 2026 at 5pm. This advert may close earlier should a suitable candidate be identified. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires for applicants to have full and permanent working rights in Australia.

Why Join VUVU provides competitive salaries, excellent superannuation, and a variety of benefits. The university fosters an environment where staff can excel, achieve their goals, and develop their careers. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and family-friendly policies, VU supports both professional and personal well-being. For more information, please visit our Careers at VU WebpageOur Commitment to Protecting CountryVictoria University honours its deep diversity as a foundation for collaboration and social progress. We will demonstrate sensitivity in respecting First Nation perspectives. We will ensure that we respect our Indigenous voices and commit to sustainable Protecting Country. We will take leadership responsibility, in all that we do, to improve the health and wellbeing of our local and global communities, and the planet that we share. Our Commitment to Progressive InclusivityVU is an equal opportunity employer and proudly committed to progressive inclusivity. We welcome and celebrate diversity in all its forms including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and racially marginalised communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. We strive to reflect the communities we serve and foster an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. We are proud to be a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality**.

Our Commitment to Inclusive RecruitmentVU is committed to providing a positive and barrier-free recruitment experience. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, including accessible formats of documents, please contact us at inclusivecareers@vu.edu.au or call (03) 9919 5999.