• Based at Geelong Waterfront or Melbourne Burwood Campus + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and fixed-term until October 2026
• HEW 8 $118,801 - $136,018 + 17% Superannuation

Reporting to the Director of Alumni Engagement, this position sits within Deakin’s Advancement team, which includes Alumni Engagement, Development, Campaign and Operations. The team plays a critical role in strengthening Deakin’s connections with over 350,000 alumni and engaging a growing community of over 8,000 donors, driving philanthropic support for the University’s research, students, and broader community initiatives.

As the Advancement Engagement Manager, you will lead a small team responsible for providing marketing and communications support across various areas, including content creation, digital engagement, impact reporting, and more. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the Advancement function, ensuring seamless integration with the University’s Marketing and Communications teams. This role is key to advancing the team’s objectives as part of a strategic plan focused on expanding engagement capacity, building a sense of community for alumni, and achieving ambitious fundraising goals to support Deakin’s mission.

As the Advancement Engagement Manager, you will:

• Partner with Advancement, Marketing, and Communications teams, as well as Deakin faculties and portfolios, to align and execute marketing and communication activities.
• Lead a small team in supporting Advancement initiatives and campaigns, ensuring high-quality marketing and communications outcomes.
• Develop a network within Deakin, fostering collaboration and shared goals across key teams and stakeholders.
• Anticipate needs in the philanthropic and Alumni Engagement context, tailoring marketing and communications projects for high-impact outcomes.
• Develop key Advancement publications, including dKin Times and Deakin Difference, working with Communications and Marketing teams.
• Drive awareness and engagement within the Advancement team, leveraging existing communication initiatives and refining future outputs.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• A relevant postgraduate qualification in Marketing or Communications (or progress towards) or extensive relevant experience
• Demonstrated experience leading digital marketing and communications functions (in the philanthropic or higher education sectors would be highly desirable)
• Demonstrated ability to create engaging and accurate copy for a range of communication channels, often synthesising academic content into informal language
• Demonstrated experience in creating engaging content and communications for internal and external stakeholders and audiences
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create reports, briefings and presentations for a variety of audiences
• High-level attention to detail and focus on maintaining quality, accuracy and integrity of outputs
• Innovative and creative with ideas, with the ability to articulate and present these to meet stakeholder needs
• Experience in the production of digital content, social media campaigns and blog articles in a complex and diverse organisation
• Ability to manage personal and team timelines for the delivery of outputs
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and strong relationship management skills.

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Sarah Banks (Director, Alumni Engagement) on sarah.banks@deakin.edu.au.

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 PD - Manager, Advancement Engagement.pdf

Click here for more information about Advancement at Deakin.

Applications for this position close on 17 August 2025.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.