Development Manager - Fundraising

Job Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We are seeking a Development Manager to fundraise and partner with our Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS) and institutes, connecting world-leading research, teaching and health initiatives with individual donors, corporate partners and philanthropic organisations.

Together, these organisations form a nationally significant health, research and innovation portfolio dedicated to improving health outcomes for New Zealand and beyond. Bringing together expertise across medicine, health sciences, engineering and technology, they support groundbreaking research, transformative education and collaborative partnerships that address some of society's most pressing health challenges.

As part of the Alumni Relations and Development team, you will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and supporters, building strong relationships and developing tailored engagement strategies that lead to significant philanthropic investment. Working closely with the Dean, senior academic leaders, researchers and colleagues across the University, you will help identify opportunities that inspire donors to support transformative research, student success and innovation.

This is a highly relationship-focused fundraising role that combines strategy, donor engagement and major gift development. You will guide prospects through the full donor journey, from identification and cultivation through to solicitation and stewardship, building trusted relationships with high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations and corporate partners. Success in this role comes from curiosity, initiative, strong commercial acumen and the ability to connect donors with opportunities that create meaningful and lasting impact.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing a portfolio of major gift prospects, trusts, foundations and corporate partners, developing strategies to secure significant philanthropic support
• Building strong relationships with donors, faculty leadership, researchers and University stakeholders to identify and advance funding opportunities
• Developing donor engagement plans, proposals and stewardship activities that foster long-term relationships and investment
• Working alongside the Dean and senior leaders to prioritise prospects and align fundraising activity with faculty priorities
• Supporting the development and implementation of faculty fundraising strategies, plans and performance measures
• Collaborating with colleagues across Alumni Relations and Development to deliver coordinated donor engagement and fundraising initiatives

This is a permanent, full-time position (37.5 hours per week). The salary range for this role is $118,000 to $128,000, negotiable depending on skills and experience.

A full description of your duties and the role is provided in the position description linked HERE

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are an experienced fundraiser or relationship manager with a track record of building meaningful, long-term relationships that lead to significant financial investment. You are comfortable engaging with high-net-worth individuals, philanthropic trusts, foundations and senior corporate stakeholders, and understand how to move relationships from initial engagement through to successful solicitation and stewardship.

You are naturally curious and enjoy understanding people's motivations, interests and aspirations. You know how to develop trust, identify alignment between donor interests and organisational priorities, and create compelling opportunities for support. Equally comfortable working independently and collaboratively, you thrive in a relationship-driven environment where success comes from strategic engagement, persistence and excellent stakeholder management.

E rapua ana mātou | We are seeking

• Demonstrated success securing major gifts, philanthropic investment or high-value commercial partnerships through relationship-based engagement
• Experience managing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations, corporate partners or key strategic stakeholders
• Proven ability to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward supporters through a structured relationship management or moves-management process
• Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, with confidence engaging senior leaders, donors and external stakeholders
• Demonstrable commercial acumen, with experience developing proposals, delivering presentations and achieving revenue or fundraising targets
• A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent experience, combined with a genuine interest in supporting world-leading medical research and health education

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university, guided by a commitment to excellence and service to our communities. With more than 6,000 academic and professional staff, we support a diverse community of over 47,000 students.

Guided by our values, we work collaboratively to advance knowledge, foster equity and inclusion, and contribute meaningfully to New Zealand’s social, cultural, and economic well-being.

We cultivate an environment that supports your growth and rewards excellence with a range of staff benefits, including:

• Competitive salary and five weeks of annual leave
• Discounted public Transport for permanent and long-term fixed term staff
• Superannuation/KiwiSaver, matching up to 6.75%
• Flexible working arrangements, including working from home and flexible hours
• Leading, and inclusive parental leave provisions
• Career development opportunities and a range of benefits, including discounted insurance, memberships, and on‑site amenities

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit your application online by the closing date of Sunday, 11 October 2026. Your application should include:

• A brief Cover Letter explaining why you're interested in this role and how your skills match the requirements.
• Your updated CV.

Please note that we do not accept email applications.

For a confidential discussion, you are welcome to contact Neil Gardner, Senior Recruitment Consultant, via [email protected] 

Additional Information

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz