About Us

The Development Office (DVO) supports the University’s mission by building enduring relationships with our donors and enabling philanthropic support that advances education, research and societal impact. DVO works closely with partners across the University to facilitate meaningful giving, steward donor relationships, and ensure philanthropic gifts are accepted and managed responsibly in accordance with donor intent and University policies.

Join DVO’s Gift Acceptance team and help enable philanthropy that powers financial support, research and programmes across the University. In this role, you will gain exposure to diverse philanthropic gifts and work closely with faculties and units to facilitate responsible gift acceptance, ensuring donor intent is honoured and gifts are appropriately documented and administered in accordance with University regulations and policies. You will contribute to the preparation of Gift Recording Documents (GRDs), facilitate naming recognition approvals and support the assessment of risks associated with gifts.

About the Role

• Partner with faculties, units and relevant stakeholders across the University to facilitate gift acceptance processes, address issues and support timely and well-documented approvals.
• Prepare and review Gift Recording Documents (GRDs), working closely with faculties and units to clarify donor intent, gift purposes, key terms and commitments, address documentation gaps and resolve issues, ensuring that GRDs are clear, accurate and appropriately structured to support responsible gift acceptance.
• Facilitate naming recognition approvals, ensuring proposals are appropriately documented and processed in accordance with University policies and guidelines.
• Identify and assess potential risks associated with gifts, naming recognition and proposed gift terms, exercising sound judgement in determining when further review or escalation is required.
• Support compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, and University policies and guidelines in the acceptance and documentation of gifts.
• Maintain accurate and complete gift documentation and records.
• Contribute ideas and support the review and continuous improvement of gift acceptance policies, processes, documentation and workflows.
• Support other gift acceptance-related activities and projects as assigned, including donor reporting, correspondence and related administrative matters where required.

About You

• Recognised tertiary education.
• Applicants with no prior work experience are welcome to apply (experience in higher education and/or philanthropy will be an advantage).
• Interest in philanthropy and contributing to meaningful giving through responsible gift acceptance and the honouring of donor intent.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to organise information and prepare clear, accurate and well-structured documentation and correspondence.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a process-oriented mindset and attention to detail.
• Able to exercise sound judgement in identifying issues, assessing risks and determining when matters require further review or escalation.
• Proactive, inquisitive and meticulous, with a willingness to learn and the ability to manage multiple cases and tasks concurrently.
• Strong integrity and professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• IT- and AI-savvy, with comfort in learning and using digital tools to improve work processes.