Head of Advancement

• Take a senior leadership role with Australia’s principal School for the visual arts which is poised for rapid and transformational growth
• Reports to the Director and CEO as a member of the Executive Leadership Team
• Support Australia’s next generation of leading visual artists, building on our famous alumni such as John Olsen, Margaret Olley, Fiona Hall and Cressida Campbell
• A greenfields opportunity to establish an integrated suite of fundraising, business development, and marketing and communication initiatives
• Develop, strengthen and promote the School’s brand
• Work with the Director and CEO to establish the National Art School Foundation
• Develop an exciting events program for broader engagement with the community
• Leverage our reputation as the leader in the overall quality of educational experience among universities and tertiary education providers in Australia, and major development plans for our Darlinghurst campus and cultural precinct

About the National Art School

The National Art School is a vibrant creative precinct, situated on the site of the historic Darlinghurst Gaol, and at the forefront of learning, creativity and innovative practice; nationally and internationally. We use our strong independent identity and distinctive studio-based teaching model to deliver exceptional higher education and research, scholarship and professional practice in the visual arts and related fields.

We have much to celebrate recently at the School. In March 2019 the NSW Arts Minister announced a 45-year lease and ongoing funding as a State Significant Organisation (SSO). Also announced was a generous donation from the Margaret Olley Art Trust of $500,000. There are exciting plans for developing our campus, and with renewed confidence about our long-term future we are now poised to take our fundraising and community engagement efforts to a whole new level.

The position

This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in Australia’s leading school for the visual arts. The Head of Advancement reports to the Director and CEO and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

The Head of Advancement will develop key initiatives for strong and resilient growth in revenue generation and programming by enhancing stakeholder relationships through fundraising, business development, 

marketing and brand management. The key objectives for the role include increasing sustainable sources of income; extending relationships with philanthropists, corporate partners and government; and growing community engagement via high quality programs.

What you bring to the role

You will be an accomplished strategic leader with extensive knowledge and practical experience in fundraising, business development, marketing and communications and audience engagement. You will have superior team building and management skills; outstanding strategic planning, project management and analytical skills; and very strong negotiation skills. You will have an understanding and appreciation of the Advancement Model involving integrated fundraising, marketing, communications, public relations, and stakeholder engagement.

You will be enthusiastic about the visual arts and playing a key role in building Australia’s next generation of prominent visual artists.

Application

Please provide your CV, response to the selection criteria, three referees and a cover letter.

The recruitment process will include a selection process undertaken by Donorcentricity Pty Ltd, reference checking, and a presentation to a panel if you are successful in being shortlisted.

Selection criteria (up to 500 words each):

1. Business related degree and a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in fundraising, business development and ideally marketing and communications, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
2. Proven track record of developing and managing fundraising, business development and marketing and communication functions; and an appreciation of the Advancement Model, with the achievement of measurable results.
3. Superior team building and management skills.
4. Accomplished in building relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including community and business leaders, government representatives, and the media.
5. Demonstrated ability to develop strategic and operational plans and budgets, including setting KPIs and meeting organisational strategic objectives.
6. Experience and/or understanding of working in an education, arts or cultural organisation; and communicating the importance of visual arts.

The position description is available at: https://nas.edu.au/working-at-nas/

Please email applications to: mark.williams@donorcentricity.com

For further information about the position or application process, please contact Mark Williams:

(02) 8819 2898

Applications will be assessed and continued until the right candidate is recruited, no close date will be issued, if you are interested please apply as soon as practicable.