Executive Director - Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens
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Executive Director - Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens
Lead the next era of growth at one of Australia's most iconic environmental and cultural institutions.
* Executive leadership role shaping strategy, fundraising, marketing, and operations
* Full time | Hybrid | Sydney-based with flexible working options
* Drive bold conservation and cultural development projects across three world-renowned Botanic Gardens and The Domain
Impact of the organisation
Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens is the not-for-profit fundraising and community engagement arm of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney - a cultural icon and environmental leader comprising the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah, and The Domain.
For over 40 years, Foundation & Friends has inspired a passionate community of supporters and volunteers who contribute to a shared vision of placing plants at the heart of a thriving world. The organisation supports conservation, education, scientific research and major capital developments across the Gardens, each helping protect Australia's biodiversity while creating extraordinary spaces for generations to come.
Working in close partnership with Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Foundation & Friends is at a key moment of evolution, aiming to strengthen its strategic integration, fundraising capacity and community engagement to meet the bold environmental and cultural goals of the future.
Impact you will have in this role
We are seeking a visionary, strategic and driven Executive Director to lead Foundation & Friends into its next chapter of growth and purpose. As Executive Director, you will have the rare opportunity to lead and elevate the entire organisation, from major donor strategy and philanthropy, through to membership programs, events, marketing, operations and partnerships.
You'll lead a passionate and talented team of 15, report directly to the Foundation Board, and work closely with the Chief Executive of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney in a highly collaborative, purpose-aligned partnership.
This is a unique role for a dynamic individual who can blend strong philanthropic leadership with strategic business acumen, inspire high performance, and drive long-term impact. Whether you are an experienced executive or a fundraising leader ready to advance your career, this is a rare opportunity to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact at one of Australia's most prestigious institutions.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising & Philanthropy
* Lead the strategic growth of major gifts, bequests, capital campaigns and high-value fundraising programs
* Build strong relationships with high-net-worth individuals, corporate partners, philanthropic trusts and community stakeholders
* Drive a high-performing fundraising culture across the team and Foundation Board
* Champion donor journeys and personalised stewardship to ensure long-term engagement and support across all revenue streams, from membership and appeals to high value fundraising
* Monitor fundraising KPIs and performance metrics with accountability for income targets
Executive Leadership & Strategy
* Lead the delivery of Foundation & Friends' strategic and business plans
* Provide executive-level stewardship of finances, governance, reporting, risk management and compliance
* Lead a team of dedicated professionals across philanthropy, marketing, membership, operations and events
* Shape organisational culture and build internal capabilities to achieve bold, long-term goals
Partnership & Relationship Management
* Strengthen collaboration and strategic alignment with the Botanic Gardens of Sydney
* Represent Foundation & Friends to stakeholders, donors, community groups, volunteers, and external partners
* Foster a culture of transparency, innovation, and excellence in everything the Foundation does
Skills and Experience
We are looking for a broad and well-rounded senior leader with the following experience:
* Proven success in leading fundraising or philanthropic programs, particularly major gifts or high-value donor engagement
* Leadership experience, ideally including strategic planning, financial oversight, and organisational development
* Strong stakeholder and relationship management capabilities, with a flair for influencing and building trust
* A commercial mindset and ability to identify new revenue opportunities would be well regarded
* Understanding of the not-for-profit or cultural/environmental sectors, with alignment to the mission of the Botanic Gardens
* Excellent communication skills, including proposal writing, reporting and public speaking
* Empathetic and visionary leadership style, with a focus on accountability and building a strong, values-led team culture
Applications
Please apply by uploading your resume.
Please direct all enquiries to Rosheen Singh, rosheen@impactadvising.com.au
Impact Advising is committed to creating diverse and inclusive work environments that reflect the rich tapestry of our communities. We believe that diversity enriches organisations and fosters innovation. We are dedicated to building workforces that are a representative of the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our society. We embrace diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and cultural background. We actively seek to foster inclusive workplaces where all employees can bring their whole selves to work, feel respected and valued, and have equal opportunities for growth and advancement. We are committed to providing a fair and unbiased recruitment process, and we strive to eliminate any barriers that may impede the inclusion and participation of underrepresented groups in workforces.
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