Fundraising Assistant

Be challenged and imagine with us

As Fundraising Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting fundraising activity and donor engagement by providing high-quality administrative, event, and communications support to the Fundraising and Donor Experience team.

This role works closely with internal stakeholders and donors, contributing to events, campaigns, and projects that strengthen fundraising outcomes and deliver a positive donor experience.

In this role you will:

• Provide day-to-day administrative support including triaging enquiries across teams, managing shared inboxes and phone calls, responding to donor and stakeholder enquiries, and processing expenditure.
• Assist with the planning and delivery of fundraising and donor events, coordinating logistics such as invitations, RSVPs, catering, and event materials.
• Support communications and digital activity by updating fundraising webpages, assisting with electronic direct mail, and helping prepare promotional and donor-facing materials.

This continuing position is full time and will be located at the City Campus (Awabakal land).

How will you inspire us?

You will have:

• A collaborative, service-oriented approach with the ability to build positive relationships with donors and internal stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively, and adapt to changing needs.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, ideally supported by experience in administration, events, or communications, and a genuine enthusiasm for supporting fundraising initiatives.

What we offer

The remuneration for this position is Higher Education Worker Level 4 + 17% superannuation and is commensurate with skills and experience. 

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• 17% super and salary packaging.
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal, life, and parental leave, annual leave loading, and additional purchased leave scheme.
• Discounts on private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more.
• A range of support and wellbeing programs.

For more information on benefits and conditions, please follow this link.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our communities and the globe. Underpinned by this vision are our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability.

Your next steps

Important information before you apply:

• If viewing this on a job board other than the University's, please click ‘Apply’ (or equivalent) to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy from the Related Documents section before commencing your application.
• Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit.

Your application:

Your application must include:

• Your resume.
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity.
• A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed below (these may differ slightly from the Position Description, please only respond to the below in your application).

1. Completion of an associate diploma level qualification with relevant professional administration experience; or an equivalent combination of professional administration experience and education/training.
2. Demonstrated experience and commitment to working in a client focused manner to deliver exceptional customer service, both with donors and internal stakeholders.
3. Demonstrated experience supporting events and key programs, providing administrative and communication support to senior managers, as well as preparing correspondence and maintaining records.
4. Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated experience assisting in the development of promotional material, reports, email correspondence, and briefing notes.
5. Sound organisational and time management skills, including the demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritise, think laterally, analyse data and problem solve with a high attention to detail.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document. This document should not exceed 3 pages.

We value diversity and strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free. If you require an alternative pathway to view the Position Description or to submit an application, please reach out to employment@newcastle.edu.au.

We also seek to provide a fair chance to all applicants by providing reasonable adjustments where required during the assessment and interview phases of the recruitment process.

Our assessment process

Typically candidates that progress beyond the shortlist stage can expect to undertake the following (minimum) assessment activities as part of the recruitment process:

• Interview (an ‘in person’ interview will be conducted as part of the process)
• Referee checks
• Pre-employment checks as appropriate to the role

Our University is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community. This commitment is central to our values and our efforts to build a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive.

As part of this, and in alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.

The completion and return of the University’s Gender-based Violence Declaration Form will form part of the pre-employment checks for this position and any offer of employment will be conditional upon review by the University.

Our adherence to the Code is about more than compliance – it’s about living our values. Together, we can ensure our University remains a place where respect, safety, and inclusion are non-negotiable.

Contact Us

For specific position enquiries, please contact Bec Stone, Community Fundraising Manager on (02) 4921 7806 or via email at bec.stone@newcastle.edu.au

Having technical difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au Please note, we do not accept email applications.

Closing date: Thursday 23 April 2026 at 11.59pm AEST

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

We provide opportunities for all people regardless of their background and experience, and this philosophy is reflected across all that we do. 

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.  

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