Head of Development & Innovation

Minderoo Foundation takes on tough, persistent issues with the potential to drive massive change. We incubate ideas, advocate for systems change and accelerate impact. We push the limits of what is believed possible.

Minderoo Foundation is proudly Australian, independent, forward thinking and seeks effective, scalable solutions. Through bold, collaborative and selfless action, we seek to dismantle the systems that entrench inequality and advocate for a fairer future.

A stronger for-purpose sector can achieve more for Australia’s communities and environment. Building that strength requires ideas, relationships and the ability to turn shared ambition into practical change.

Minderoo is seeking an experienced leader to shape and deliver the next phase of our sector development and field building work.

Building on the first phase of this work, you will work with sector partners to identify emerging opportunities and develop initiatives that benefit the wider sector. You will lead work to strengthen the organisations, networks and shared infrastructure that support the for-purpose sector. This includes investing in shared research, tools and platforms that help organisations access funding, learn from each other and work together on common priorities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Effective Philanthropy, you will connect people and ideas across philanthropy, community organisations, social enterprise and the broader for-purpose sector. You will combine trusted relationships with strategic judgement and practical delivery to strengthen capability, grow giving and advance new approaches.

We are looking for someone who takes initiative, sees possibilities and builds the support needed to make change happen.

• Shape future priorities:
  Build on the first phase of our sector development work, using evidence, learning and sector perspectives to develop future priorities and initiatives.
• Identify emerging opportunities:
  Scan for trends and new ideas, recognising where collaboration, innovation or reform could strengthen the sector.
• Turn opportunities into action:
  Develop and deliver initiatives with clear outcomes, building support and maintaining momentum from concept through to implementation.
• Strengthen networks and shared infrastructure:
  Develop partnerships and investments in organisations, research, tools and platforms that support the wider sector.
• Advance practical innovation:
  Work with partners to test new approaches to growing giving, accessing funding and collaborating on common priorities.
• Build relationships that enable change:
  Bring together organisations with different perspectives and interests, building trust and securing commitment to collective action.
• Influence the broader environment:
  Advance opportunities to improve the policy, funding and operating conditions that shape sector effectiveness and sustainability.
• Learn and adapt:
  Track progress, share useful insights and make informed decisions about what to continue, adapt, expand or stop.

You will also collaborate across Minderoo’s teams and partners to connect relevant work and represent Minderoo in sector forums and public discussions.

You are a credible and resourceful leader who combines a strong understanding of Australia’s for-purpose sector with a record of initiating and delivering change.

You build trust across different perspectives, challenge established approaches constructively and know how to move from discussion to action. You are comfortable working with ambiguity, exercising judgement and progressing work with a high degree of autonomy.

• Strong knowledge of the Australian for-purpose…