Head of Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an exceptional leader to drive strategic partnerships, philanthropy, and fundraising for one of Australia's most recognised and dynamic cultural institutions. This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of a nationally significant organisation by building the relationships, advocacy and support that will enable the Museum to expand its impact, reach and sustainability for generations to come.

As Head of Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy, you will lead a high-profile portfolio focused on securing transformational partnerships, philanthropic investment, sponsorship, and strategic collaborations that advance the Museum's vision and purpose. Working alongside the Director, Executive Leadership Team, Council, Foundation, and some of Australia's most influential corporate, government and philanthropic leaders, you will create opportunities that strengthen the Museum's reputation, unlock new investment, and deliver lasting public value.

The Opportunity

This is a career-defining executive leadership opportunity for someone who thrives on influence, innovation, and impact. You will identify and secure significant partnership and philanthropic opportunities, cultivate high-value relationships, lead complex negotiations, and develop strategies that generate sustainable revenue and strategic outcomes. Your leadership will help bring world-class exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and community experiences to life while positioning the Museum as a partner of choice across the cultural, corporate, and philanthropic sectors.

About You

You are an influential and commercially astute leader with a talent for building meaningful relationships and turning vision into action. Recognised for your ability to engage and influence at the highest levels, you have successfully secured investment, partnerships or strategic opportunities that deliver measurable impact and long-term value. You combine strategic thinking with sound commercial judgement and bring the confidence, presence, and credibility to operate across diverse stakeholder groups. Above all, you are motivated by purpose, driven by results, and energised by the opportunity to create partnerships that leave a legacy for communities, culture, and future generations.

Why Join Us?

This is more than an executive leadership role. It is an opportunity to help shape the future of a world-class cultural institution that welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors each year and plays a vital role in sharing the stories that have shaped Australia as an island nation. At the Sea. Museum, you'll join a passionate, values-driven organisation where people are empowered to think boldly, challenge convention and make a genuine contribution. You'll work alongside dedicated professionals, influential stakeholders and community leaders who share a commitment to education, culture, innovation, and public impact. In return, you'll enjoy a competitive executive remuneration package, 15.4% superannuation, flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and the unique privilege of working from one of Australia's most iconic harbourside locations. Whether your motivation is purpose, leadership, influence, or legacy, this is an opportunity to be part of something truly extraordinary.

Lead with purpose. Create lasting impact. Shape the future of the Sea. Museum.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:

• Proven executive leadership experience developing and delivering partnership, philanthropy, sponsorship, fundraising, or business development strategies that achieve significant revenue growth and strategic outcomes.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with a demonstrated ability to build, lead and sustain high-value relationships across corporate, government, philanthropic, cultural and community sectors.
• Demonstrated success in securing major partnerships, sponsorships, philanthropic investments, and strategic alliances, including the negotiation of complex commercial and funding arrangements.
• Highly developed strategic, commercial and analytical capability, with the ability to identify opportunities, manage risk, and translate organisational priorities into sustainable growth initiatives.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation and leadership skills, with the ability to represent the organisation at senior levels, inspire confidence, and lead high-performing teams to deliver exceptional outcomes.

Qualifications and/or relevant experience required

Mandatory:

• Tertiary qualifications in business, marketing, communications, fundraising, philanthropy, stakeholder engagement, arts administration or a related discipline.
• Extensive senior experience in strategic partnerships, philanthropy, sponsorship, fundraising, business development or stakeholder engagement, with a demonstrated track record of delivering significant revenue and strategic outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining influential relationships across corporate, government, philanthropic and community sectors.

Desirable:

• Experience working within the arts, cultural, museum, not-for-profit or public sector environment.
• Knowledge of, or a demonstrated interest in, the Australian cultural sector, philanthropy landscape, and corporate partnership environment.

Eligibility

This position is open to all eligible members of the community, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability and people from every cultural and linguistic background. To be an eligible member of the community, you must be an Australian citizen. All employees will be required to satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check and obtain and maintain a Working with Children Check registration.

Notes

Applications Close: 12pm AEST, Friday 28 August 2026. No applications will be accepted by mail or email. Selection for this position will be made on the basis of relative merit which will be assessed against each item of the selection criteria. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered for shortlisting by the Selection Panel. As part of the selection process the Selection Panel may invite candidates to undertake online testing, skills-based assessment and provide samples of written work at interview.

Getting to know the Australian National Maritime Museum

As one of Sydney's most visited museums, the Australian National Maritime Museum shares our national maritime story across Australia and the world, online, onsite and through research, presentations and travelling exhibitions, and provides must-visit museum experiences that delight and inspire. We connect our visitors with the oceans and waterways that are the heartbeat of who we are. From deep time to modern Australian and beyond, we explore our past, our present and future as an island nation shaped by sea, offering a sustainable and cohesive vision for the future. The Museum welcomes over 2.5 million local, interstate and international visitors annually, and is supported by a thriving and passionate staff, membership, volunteer and education base.