Philanthropy Manager – Translational Research Institute (TRI) 

Windsor Group has been appointed by the Translational Research Institute (TRI) to manage this executive search. As a profit-for-purpose organisation, Windsor Group supports clients through ethical, values‑aligned recruitment across the nonprofit, government, and commercial sectors.

This opportunity represents a rare chance to shape and scale a philanthropy function at one of Australia’s most significant translational research institutes.

The Translational Research Institute (TRI) is Australia’s first purpose-built translational medical research institute and the largest facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. TRI accelerates the journey from bench to bedside by co‑locating discovery researchers, clinicians, industry partners, and biomanufacturing capabilities within a single ecosystem.

TRI:

• Is located in Woolloongabba, Brisbane, adjacent to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
• Hosts 1,100 researchers, clinicians, industry personnel and support staff across diverse research domains.
• Operates through a unique partnership between The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Mater Research and Queensland Health.
• Houses world‑class shared research infrastructure including advanced imaging, flow cytometry, clinical trial facilities, and biomanufacturing.
• Delivers impact by enabling researchers to translate discoveries into real-world health outcomes more rapidly.

Revitalised in the past year, the TRI Foundation is now driving philanthropic investment into TRI’s highest research priorities, including support for early‑ and mid‑career researchers, student engagement programs such as SPARQ‑ed, and critical research infrastructure. Although established more than a decade ago, the Foundation is now entering an exciting period of growth and strategic focus.

As the charitable arm of TRI, the Foundation provides donors with a powerful way to accelerate translational research. Its funding model is exceptionally compelling: 100% of every donor’s dollar will go directly to research, with all administrative and staffing costs absorbed by TRI. Few organisations can offer this level of transparency and impact.

TRI Website

The TRI Foundation has recently been reinvigorated, creating an opportunity to establish a contemporary and sustainable philanthropic function. Early momentum has already been demonstrated through significant fundraising successes, including a $2.5M major grant and a $400K bequest, both of which highlight the strong potential for future impact. At the same time, TRI continues to expand its translational research capabilities, most notably through the development of ENTRI, a major new scale‑up biomedical manufacturing facility scheduled to open in 2026, further strengthening its position in the national research landscape.

Over the next three to five years, TRI is focused on growing philanthropic income to support shared research equipment, translational training programs, and high‑impact scientific initiatives. Central to this ambition is the development of a sustainable donor pipeline that draws from individuals, corporates, trusts, and foundations. TRI also aims to elevate its national profile as Australia’s leading translational research hub while positioning the TRI Foundation for future expansion.

There are significant opportunities ahead, made stronger by TRI’s compelling organisational story and the tangible, patient‑centered impact of its work. Board members are deeply engaged and willing to leverage their networks through donor cultivation and hosting events, and TRI’s participation in the inaugural national AAMRI MRI Giving Day, which provides an avenue for increased visibility and collective fundraising success

This newly created Philanthropy Manager role exists to build the fundraising capability for the TRI Foundation and secure major philanthropic support that advances TRI’s translational research impact. 

The role contributes to TRI’s success by leading major gifts activity and developing a sustainable donor pipeline, while also creating compelling philanthropic cases for support that are clearly linked to real-world health outcomes.  

The central focus of the position is nurturing donor relationships through tailored experiences such as tours, storytelling, stewardship activities, and impact reporting. The Philanthropy Manager also plays an important role in supporting appeals, campaigns, events, and TRI’s inaugural participation in MRI Giving Day, all while embedding strong, contemporary fundraising practices within the Corporate Affairs and Marketing environment. 

During the first twelve months, the successful candidate will focus on several high-impact deliverables. These include completing a handover from TRI’s fundraising consultant, delivering TRI’s first formal tax appeal, and leading TRI’s contribution to the inaugural national AAMRI MRI Giving Day in September. 

The role will also support the planning, hosting, and follow-up of a significant Board led donor cultivation dinner expected to take place in May. A key priority will be establishing the foundational fundraising systems required for long-term success, including CRM evaluation, donor process development, and stewardship frameworks, while simultaneously beginning to cultivate a portfolio of major gift prospects. 

Culturally, the role sits within a highly collaborative, mission driven environment where staff are united by a commitment to advancing translational research. It requires a high level of initiative and resilience, along with the ability to navigate complexity with confidence. The Philanthropy Manager is positioned within the Corporate Affairs and Marketing business unit working with the Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing and reporting directly to the Head of Corporate Affairs. 

Leadership & People

• Proven ability to work autonomously, while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence and confidence engaging with senior researchers, executives, and philanthropists.

Strategy & Planning

• Ability to design and execute cultivation strategies and annual plans.
• Comfortable developing systems and frameworks in an emerging fundraising function.

Operational or Technical Expertise

• Minimum five years’ experience in major gifts and partnership fundraising.
• Ability to prepare proposals, cases for support, partnership submissions, and impact reports.
• Familiarity with donor databases, compliance, reporting, and stewardship processes.

Stakeholder Engagement & Influence

• Builds trust with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including high‑net‑worth individuals, researchers, and board members.
• Skilled at translating complex research into accessible donor‑friendly messaging.

Values, Integrity & Cultural Alignment

• Demonstrates ethical fundraising practices, discretion, and donor‑centric stewardship.
• Alignment with TRI’s mission to accelerate real‑world health outcomes.

Download Position Description Here

You are an experienced relationship‑driven fundraising professional who thrives in complex environments and is energised by building something from the ground up. You combine disciplined fundraising practice with creativity, storytelling ability, and strategic insight. You may come from medical research, higher education, health, or another sophisticated fundraising environment, but you bring initiative, resilience, and professionalism, along with the ability to inspire donors through compelling narratives and meaningful engagement.

Whether mid‑career and ready to step up, or a seasoned fundraiser seeking a purposeful final career chapter, you are motivated by the opportunity to leave a legacy by shaping the future growth of the TRI Foundation

Windsor Group and TRI are committed to equitable, values‑aligned recruitment. Applications are assessed on merit and reviewed as they are received.

Process Steps:

1. Initial screening by Windsor Group
2. Consultant interview
3. Client panel interview(s)
4. Assessments (if required)
5. Reference checks

Indicative timeline:

• Weeks 1–4: Screening
• Weeks 4–5: Windsor Group interviews
• Shortlisting and subsequent interviews will follow promptly.

Applications should include: 

• An up‑to‑date résumé (Word format) 

• A covering letter (Word format) outlining your suitability and interest 

Submit your application quoting reference number MCPMNR to apply@windsor-group.com.au. 

For more information, contact Mike Conroy on (07) 3211 0001. 

A confirmation email will be sent within one business day. 

View the live job advertisement here