We are the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation (AKKF). We are a Not-For-Profit supporting young people (aged 8-18) that are living in families affected by mental illness and Defence families impacted by the unique lifestyle of serving in Defence. Since 2002, we have helped young people to connect, learn, and grow through safe, fun, and meaningful programs. Our evidence-based camps, activity days, and online “Connect” sessions are designed by mental health professionals, delivered in a peer based, recreation led format. Our programs are proven to empower young people to thrive beyond the impacts of familial mental illness.
Check out what we do here https://kookaburrakids.org.au/
We value Connection, Commitment, Collaboration and Integrity. We strive for impact, and we do this through developing real relationships, flexibility, and a team that supports each other.
If you’re someone who wants your work to matter, who wants to help shape outcomes for young people and bring energy, authenticity, and care into your role, then AKKF is a place where your passion will be put into practice.
Job Description
About Our Programs
Activity and Camp days are single day events that provide an opportunity for children to connect, improve mental health literacy, develop help-seeking behaviours, and provide a fun day out for some much needed respite. Activities can include ice skating, laser tag, bowling, movies, putt putt golf, and beach activities just to name a few! Activity days may be held on week days or weekends.
Camps are multi-day programs that provide an opportunity for connection, growth, and empowerment. Young people learn about mental illness and help-seeking behaviours, develop coping skills and resilience, build peer connection, participate in recreational and connection activities such as canoeing, archery, giant swings, go-karts and much more!
Connect sessions are “hosted” by Kookaburra Kids staff and volunteers online and are designed to be a fun, safe area where young people can express themselves in a supportive environment. Our connect sessions are interactive and follow a similar format as our activity days and camps; incorporating fun with mental health education.
Our camps and day activities are held in various locations across Australia, throughout the year.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a Major Gifts Manager to join our team in Perth, Western Australia. The Major Gifts Manager is a regional, relationship-led role; building and personally managing a portfolio of individual, family, organisational and philanthropic foundation donors across Western Australia. This role is all about building direct personal relationships rather than structured partnership agreements. The focus is on connections to the WA mining and resources sector and other WA-specific philanthropic communities. You will engage companies, foundations, organisations, and individuals to build our Gifts program and secure funding that will help shape the lives of young people in your community.
This isn't a sit behind your desk and write proposals kind of role - this role is defined by its in-market presence: this is a face-to-face role for someone who is genuinely energised by being in a room with a donor. You will own the full donor cycle for its portfolio, from prospect identification through cultivation, solicitation, gift closure and stewardship, and carries an individual revenue target. You'll work collaboratively with our Corporate Partnerships Manager to ensure alignment in a single, well-coordinated approach to any donor, family or organisation with WA connections.
This is a hybrid role - when you're not out there building relationships you can work from the comfort of home.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who brings energy, initiative, and a drive for getting it across the line. You're someone who can quickly build deep, trust-based relationships. You will excel at creating exceptional supporter experiences and finding smarter ways of working while contributing to a cause that changes lives. You know all about the art of persuasion; you understand how to read a donor's capacity, motivation and timing accurately; asking for the right gift at the right moment. You can own a portfolio, outcomes and revenue targets. Your someone who enjoys bringing together strategy, organisational skills and fundraising to create meaningful impact.
Key Responsibilities
Identify, qualify and prioritise individual, family, foundation and organisational prospects across Western Australia, with a focus on connections to mining, resources and FIFO-adjacent industries.
Build and manage a qualified portfolio of major donors and prospects capable of five and six figure gifts.
Prepare compelling, tailored proposals and asks for individual, family, philanthropic and organisational donors.
Negotiate and close major gifts, including multi-year giving commitments.
Develop and execute individual cultivation and solicitation strategies for donors.
Represent Kookaburra Kids in person at donor meetings, site visits, WA-based events and relevant industry gatherings across the state.
Deliver a high-touch stewardship program for the WA major donor portfolio.
Desired Skills and Experience
About You
Degree qualified in Business, Marketing, or equivalent experience.
Minimum five years' experience in major gifts, high value individual fundraising, or private client relationship management (e.g. wealth management, private banking, luxury or high-touch sales), with a demonstrated track record of closing five and six figure relationships.
Existing networks or demonstrated ability to build networks within the Western Australian mining, resources or high-net-worth philanthropic community.
Proven ability to manage a donor or client portfolio end to end, from identification through to close and stewardship.
Excellent in-person relationship and negotiation skills; comfortable representing an organisation at the most senior donor level.
Based in or willing to relocate to Perth, with a current driver's licence, access to own vehicle, and willingness to travel regularly and to work outside standard hours as required.
Experience with donor CRM systems and moves management methodology.
Current Working With Children Check.
Why Join Us?
Be part of a values-driven organisation committed to youth empowerment.
Contribute to programs that make a real difference in young people's lives.
Fun, rewarding, and meaningful work where you see the difference you make in peoples lives first hand.
Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
Flexible work to fit in with your other commitments.
Remote organisation - work from home when not attending events.
Weekly 'Me Time' one hour each week paid for you to use towards whatever you like!
Birthday leave - have your birthday off each year on us!
Two days paid Volunteer Leave
Not For Profit Salary Sacrifice Packaging - package up to $15,900 of your salary
Kooka Rewards discount program to over 200 retailers
Quarterly peer recognition awards that celebrate living our values in action
Home office setup allowance to support a safe and comfortable workspace
Wellbeing-focused Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with confidential support and resources for you and your family
How To Apply
Ready to engage in meaningful, impactful work? Give us the rundown on all things you -
Please provide a short one page Cover Letter responding to the 'About You' points along with your Resume.
Please note, due to the high volume of applications expected, applications that do not provide a Cover Letter addressing the criteria will not be considered.
We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. As are those who identify as LGBTQIA+ or as neurodivergent.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and lived experiences. We know first-hand how valuable lived experience is to support positive outcomes for our young people.
We warmly encourage current or former members of the Australian Defence Force to apply. If you have served, you are welcome (but not required) to share your experience in your application. We value the unique skills and perspectives that Defence service brings.
Child Safeguarding
AKKF is committed to creating environments where the safety and wellbeing of young people is at the center of our thoughts, values, and actions.
Employment is subject to reference checks, a National Police Check, and a Working with Children Check.