About Make‐A‐Wish Australia
Make‐A‐Wish is one of Australia's most trusted charities and part of the largest wish‐granting organisations in the world, creating life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Every day, our team works to bring hope and joy when it's needed most. We partner with children with life‐threatening conditions, their families, and medical teams to grant wishes unique to each child who imagines them. At Make‐A‐Wish, our mission is to grant the wish of every eligible child, believing these wishes complement treatment, build resilience and bring hope to these children and their families when they need it most. Make‐A‐Wish Australia is a values‐driven, child‐safe organisation committed to inclusion, ethical conduct, and community engagement. We prioritise the wellbeing and protection of children throughout their wish journey and embed inclusive principles across all operations. We maintain high standards of governance, transparency, and ethical behaviour, and actively work to ensure our leadership and volunteer base are representative of Australia's diverse communities.
About the Business Development Manager Role
In this role, you will drive the growth of new corporate partnerships that directly impact the lives of children with critical illnesses. You will identify and secure bold, values‐aligned partnerships, bringing businesses on a journey that delivers both meaningful impact and strong commercial outcomes. From first conversation through to long‐term collaboration, you will turn opportunities into partnerships that help grant more wishes when they matter most.
You will manage a high‐value pipeline, develop compelling partnership propositions, and secure multi‐year agreements while building genuine, lasting relationships with purpose‐driven organisations.
More Specifically, You Will
* Identify, engage and secure new corporate partners across a range of industries.
* Build and manage a strong pipeline of active prospects, ensuring consistent progression and conversion.
* Develop tailored, creative partnership proposals aligned to both partner objectives and Make‐A‐Wish priorities.
* Lead end‐to‐end business development, including research, outreach, pitching, negotiation and contracting.
* Secure and grow high‐value, multi‐year partnerships (including opportunities up to $500K+ annually).
* Achieve and exceed revenue targets, contributing to sustainable income growth.
* Identify opportunities across campaigns, events, workplace giving and strategic initiatives.
* Build trusted, long‐term relationships with key stakeholders and decision‐makers.
* Collaborate across internal teams to deliver impactful, well‐integrated partnerships.
* Represent Make‐A‐Wish at events, presentations and networking opportunities.
* Maintain accurate pipeline tracking and reporting through Salesforce.
What You Will Bring
* Proven experience in business development, partnerships, fundraising or sales, with a strong track record of securing new revenue.
* Confidence managing a structured pipeline and working towards clear revenue and conversion targets.
* Strong commercial acumen, with experience negotiating high‐value or multi‐year agreements.
* Exceptional relationship‐building skills, with the ability to engage and influence a range of stakeholders.
* Excellent communication and presentation skills, including developing compelling proposals and pitches.
* A proactive, self‐driven approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
* Experience working across teams and navigating internal stakeholders to deliver outcomes.
* High levels of emotional intelligence, professionalism and integrity.
* A genuine passion for creating impact for children and families.
You can be based in Melbourne or Sydney – we are open to either location.
Why Join Make‐A‐Wish Australia
* Be part of an organisation creating real, lasting impact for children and families.
* Play a key role in growing partnerships that directly fund life‐changing wishes.
* Work with a passionate, collaborative national team.
* Flexible working arrangements to support balance and wellbeing.
* Opportunity to shape the future of corporate partnerships at Make‐A‐Wish Australia.
The Process (How to Apply)
If everything we've said so far sounds like you, we would love to hear from you! Click APPLY NOW and follow our application process.
Please submit your current resume, and a cover letter explaining why you're interested in joining Make‐A‐Wish Australia and what makes you a great fit for this role.
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
You will also be asked a few screening/filtering questions to help us ensure we can find you if you tick all of the boxes. We will start shortlisting right away and will move quickly when we find the perfect person – so don't delay.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to respond to three questions via a one‐way video interview. We value your time and this is a great opportunity for you to showcase your passion, creativity and personality. Further rounds of the process will be in‐person or via video calls.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Child‐Safety Commitment
Make‐A‐Wish Australia prides itself on being a child‐safe organisation. Our recruitment practices are strictly adhered to throughout the application and interview process and include thorough screening to ensure anyone joining us aligns with our values and commitment to child safety. All employees must obtain a Working With Children Check and undergo identity, social media and police pre‐screening.
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