Strategic Partnerships Manager

Passionate about making a difference? Join CREATE Foundation and help grow the impact that changes the lives of young people in care!

18-month fixed term full-time role │SCHADS level 6 │$115,339 - $120,440. negotiable based on experience + super + salary packaging + CREATE perks │Location flexible within Australia

About the role

As the Strategic Partnerships Manager, you will lead CREATE's approach to philanthropic, corporate and funding partnerships - securing the sustainable, diversified income that powers our mission. Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll operate with a high degree of autonomy across a complex, multi-jurisdictional landscape. This is a role for someone who can think strategically and act practically, building meaningful, values-aligned relationships that translate CREATE's lived-experience impact into compelling cases for support.

In this role, you’ll:

• Lead the development and delivery of a strategic partnerships and philanthropy strategy aligned to CREATE's Strategic Plan.

• Identify, cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, philanthropic trusts and foundations, corporate partners and aligned funders - acting as CREATE's primary lead for high-value partnerships.

• Research, pursue and write competitive grant applications across government, philanthropic and corporate sources, managing the full lifecycle from pipeline to acquittal.

• Develop high-quality cases for support, proposals and impact narratives grounded in evidence, outcomes and the authentic voices of children and young people.

• Establish a structured due diligence and ethical screening framework for partnerships, ensuring alignment with CREATE's mission, values and independence.

• Support the CEO, Board and senior leaders to participate confidently and appropriately in funder and partner relationships.

• Ensure all partnership, grant and fundraising activity complies with ACNC requirements, ethical fundraising standards and relevant legislation.

• Deliver regular reporting to the CEO, executive team and Board on performance, pipeline development and return on investment.

About you

You're a strategic thinker and a relationship builder who thrives on turning bold ideas into secured funding. You bring commercial acumen, persuasive writing skills, and the kind of credibility that opens doors and closes deals. You're as comfortable in a boardroom as you are crafting a compelling grant narrative, and you're driven by purpose - knowing that every partnership you secure means more support for children and young people with a care experience. You have:

• A relevant tertiary qualification (e.g. business, marketing, philanthropy, social sciences or a related field) with substantial relevant experience - or an equivalent combination of experience, expertise and competence.

• Demonstrated success in securing funding through philanthropic trusts and foundations, major gifts, corporate partnerships or strategic fundraising, ideally within the not-for-profit or community sector.

• A proven track record in revenue generation and in securing and stewarding high-value relationships.

• Demonstrated grant-writing success, including researching opportunities and preparing competitive applications that secure funding.

• Proven ability to build, secure and steward relationships with senior stakeholders, donors and partners, including negotiating and representing an organisation with credibility and integrity.

• Experience working with, or reporting to, Boards and executive leaders, including contributing to strategy and providing advice.

• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive proposal writing and credible public presentation.

• Sound knowledge of governance, compliance and ethical considerations in fundraising and partnerships, including ACNC and fundraising regulation.

• A demonstrated commitment to CREATE's Vision, Mission and values, including lived-experience leadership, First Nations cultural responsiveness, and child-safe practice.

• A current employment-level Working with Children Check relevant to your state or territory of residence, and full working rights within Australia.

Why you’ll love working at CREATE

We don’t just talk about making a difference - we live it. Our team is passionate, purpose-driven, and we know that great work happens when people feel supported and valued. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Extra Time Off: Enjoy bonus leave days over the festive season and a day off for your birthday!

• Salary Packaging Perks: Pay less tax and take home more pay with our NFP benefits.

• Grow With Us: From induction to career development, we’ll back your success.

• A Supportive Team: Work with people who genuinely care and uplift each other.

• Flexibility Matters: We know life happens, so we offer work arrangements that suit you.

• Celebrate Milestones: Earn rewards up to $3,000 as you grow with CREATE.

• Wellbeing First: Plenty of wellbeing perks, including free flu vaccinations annually, and a free, confidential Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.

How to apply

View the full job description and selection criteria at https://create.org.au/who-we-are/join-our-team/

Ready to join our team? Apply now via Seek. Please ensure you upload your Resume or CV, and a detailed cover letter containing your response to the Selection Criteria by midnight, Sunday 20 September 2026.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Olivia, our People & Culture Manager at ••••@create.org.au

CREATE is an equal-opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion, and we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We also recognise the deep value of cultural knowledge, lived experience and community connection, particularly in roles that support children and young people with a care experience. Cultural knowledge and lived experience are highly valued by CREATE and will be considered alongside formal qualifications and work experience.

If you believe you can contribute to this role through your cultural knowledge, lived experience or community connection, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every qualification or experience requirement listed.

 We can’t wait to hear from you!

Please note: You must have full working rights within Australia to be eligible for this role