Director of Engagement

The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) – Westmead NSW The Director of Engagement & Development is a senior leadership role providing integrated responsibility of WIMR’s fundraising, communications, marketing, and stakeholder engagement functions. The role will lead the development and implementation of a coordinated strategy to strengthen WIMR’s brand, elevate philanthropic impact, and enhance engagement across donors, partners, researchers, clinicians, and Boards. Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer and senior leadership, the Director will align all engagement activities to WIMR’s strategic priorities and contribute to long-term organisational financial sustainability. The successful candidate will establish a clear and compelling donor value proposition, ensuring seamless coordination between fundraising, communications, and engagement activities. A critical part of the role is building on WIMR’s outstanding reputation for excellence in medical research and clinical translation, and reflecting this in the organisation’s brand, narrative, and stakeholder interactions. The Director will position WIMR confidently and consistently in the medical research landscape, ensuring our external presence matches the quality and impact of our scientific achievements. This role also carries responsibility for effective engagement with the WIMR Board and Board of the WIMR Foundation. The role will support strong governance practices, ensure compliance with fundraising and regulatory requirements, and provide high-quality reporting, intelligence, and strategic advice. They will work closely with Directors to equip them for donor and community engagement with clarity on institutional priorities for fundraising. A further expectation is the cultivation of long-standing donor confidence. The Director will steward a community of supporters who recognise both our track record of delivering impact and the remarkable potential still to be realised in this vibrant, pivotal part of Sydney. This is a hands‑on role requiring strategic leadership, proven fundraising capability, exceptional relationship skills, and high‑level communications expertise. Key responsibilities Strategic & Technical Develop and deliver an integrated strategy for philanthropy, communications, marketing, and external engagement that supports WIMR’s strategic objectives and revenue ambitions. Strengthen and articulate WIMR’s donor value proposition, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and emerging scientific opportunities. Lead the strategic development of a sustainable philanthropic pipeline. Provide executive leadership of brand positioning, media and digital communication, content development, and reputation management. Work closely with research and clinical leaders to translate scientific initiatives into compelling narratives for donors, partners, and broader audiences. Ensure best‑practice governance, compliance with fundraising regulations, and robust data management and reporting systems. Develop frameworks, tools, and processes to support scalable, high quality fundraising and engagement operations. Drive the strategic adoption of AI and emerging technologies to enhance WIMR’s philanthropy and engagement capabilities, ensuring the organisation remains at the forefront of sector practice. Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement Foster a collaborative, high‑performing culture across fundraising, communications, marketing, and engagement teams. Build strong, productive relationships with the WIMR Board and the WIMR Foundation Board, providing strategic advice, high quality reporting, and support for governance and compliance. Equip Board members, executives, and research leaders to participate effectively in donor engagement, cultivation, and advocacy. Represent WIMR with credibility across donor communities, philanthropic partners, trusts, government and corporate stakeholders. Lead the development of a coordinated calendar of engagement events, campaigns, and communications to enhance visibility and deepen stakeholder connection. Partner with leadership to ensure organisational alignment around engagement priorities, brand integrity, and fundraising strategy. Qualifications – Knowledge & Skills Proven senior leadership experience in fundraising, external relations, development, or advancement within research, health, higher‑education, or similar complex organisations. Demonstrated success in securing major gifts, cultivating high‑value donor relationships, and building sustainable philanthropic pipelines. Strong background in communications, marketing, or brand management, with experience elevating organisational reputation and visibility. Experience working effectively with Boards, senior executives, and governance structures, with a clear understanding of fundraising ethics and compliance. Ability to interpret and communicate scientific and clinical concepts to diverse audiences, including donors and external stakeholders. Demonstrated capability in building effective systems and processes that support scalable engagement and development activity. Qualifications – Personal Qualities Exceptional written, visual, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive narratives and support the Board and the organisation in delivering them. Strong relationship‑building capability, with a collaborative, strategic mindset and ability to influence at all levels. High integrity, initiative, and sound judgment, with the ability to manage sensitive information and complex stakeholder dynamics. Strategic thinker with excellent organisational skills, able to deliver multiple priorities and drive outcomes in a dynamic environment. Commitment to continuous improvement, excellence, and high‑quality execution across all engagement and development functions. For more information visit our careers website Applications close Wednesday 17 December 2025. #J-18808-Ljbffr