Chief Executive Officer

Lead Australia's national LGBTQIA+ community foundation, mobilising funding to strengthen LGBTQIA+ organisations and guiding a growing, values-led organisation through its next stage of impact.

• Sydney or Melbourne | Remote-first | Full-time
• $145,000 to $155,000 + superannuation + salary packaging

Rainbow Giving Australia is seeking an experienced, values-led Chief Executive Officer to lead our organisation through its next stage of growth and impact.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a national community foundation working to build a better-resourced, more sustainable and more connected LGBTQIA+ community sector.

The CEO will work with the Board, staff, volunteers, communities, donors and partners to strengthen Rainbow Giving Australia’s impact, grow and diversify its funding, and ensure the organisation remains effective, sustainable and accountable to the communities it serves.

About Rainbow Giving Australia

Rainbow Giving Australia is a national LGBTQIA+ community foundation supporting community-led solutions by mobilising funding, growing skills and expanding knowledge about funding needs across the LGBTQIA+ sector.

Our vision is an empowered, sustainable and united rainbow community sector achieving better outcomes for LGBTQIA+ communities across Australia.

Through grant making, fundraising, donor engagement, capacity building and research, we work to strengthen the resourcing and long-term sustainability of LGBTQIA+ organisations and communities.

Our programs include GiveOUT Day, Sweat with Pride, Amplify Pride and Ignite Pride grants, the Rainbow Giving Circle, capacity-building initiatives and sector research.

About the role

Reporting to the Board Chair and leading a small, high-impact team, the CEO is accountable for Rainbow Giving Australia’s strategy, impact, financial sustainability, culture and operations.

The CEO will:

• Lead the implementation and future development of Rainbow Giving Australia’s strategy.
• Develop and deliver a multi-year fundraising and revenue strategy.
• Build trusted relationships with philanthropic foundations, major donors, corporate partners, community supporters and other funders.
• Oversee Rainbow Giving Australia’s grant making, fundraising, capacity-building and research programs.
• Lead and support an inclusive, values-aligned and high-performing team.
• Represent the organisation with LGBTQIA+ communities, donors, partners, government and the broader philanthropic sector.
• Provide the Board with high-quality strategic advice and ensure strong governance, financial management and risk oversight.

This is both a strategic and hands-on leadership role. The successful candidate will be comfortable moving between organisational strategy, external relationships and practical leadership within a small organisation.

Our commitment to inclusion

Rainbow Giving Australia is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace.

We encourage applications from people of diverse sexualities, gender identities and expressions, sex characteristics, cultural backgrounds, ages, abilities and lived experiences. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people of colour, trans and gender-diverse people, people with disability, and people from regional and culturally diverse communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional adjustments

We are committed to providing an inclusive experience to all candidates. If you have a disability, condition, illness or access requirements, please let us know how we can best support you throughout your recruitment experience.

We recognise that each individual's needs are different. Some examples of adjustments we can provide include (but are not limited to):

• Alternative formats or ways to submit your application (verbal or video)
• Flexible communication methods
• Additional time to complete tasks, assessments or pre-interview work
• Support from a support person or advocate during interviews
• Modifications to the interview structure, environment or timing

If you require additional adjustments, or would like to discuss any access needs as a part of the application and recruitment process, please contact us via email [email protected].

Our candidate experience

We aim to be transparent and kind to all of our candidates. We value your time, and as such want to share how we do things so you know what to expect with no nasty surprises. For more information on our end-to-end candidate experience, please visit the SHE HR Consulting website.

How to apply

To express your interest, submit an online application through our application portal and include a professional resume. All applicants must also provide brief responses to the application questions that are included as part of the online application.

Note: we do not accept cover letters as part of our application process.

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and we may close our job advertisement without notice, so don't delay your application.

Please also review the attached position description before applying.

For a confidential discussion about the role or to request adjustments to the application process, contact [email protected]. 

Applications close at 11.59 pm on Friday, August 28th, 2026.

Rainbow Giving Australia may begin speaking with candidates before the closing date. All applications will be treated confidentially.

About you

You are an experienced leader who understands how philanthropic capital can be mobilised to strengthen communities and create lasting social change.

You will ideally bring senior leadership experience in philanthropy, grantmaking, a community foundation, a philanthropic intermediary or a closely related organisation.

You will also bring:

• A strong understanding of the Australian philanthropic landscape.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor stewardship and income diversification.
• Experience developing philanthropic, grantmaking or funding strategies that respond to community priorities.
• A record of building trusted relationships with funders, donors, community organisations and strategic partners.
• Experience leading a small, multidisciplinary and values-driven team.
• Strong organisational management capability across strategy, finance, governance, operations and risk.
• An understanding of community-led, participatory and social justice approaches to philanthropy.
• A strong understanding of LGBTQIA+ communities and the issues affecting LGBTQIA+ organisations in Australia.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and public-representation skills.
• A collaborative, transparent and accountable leadership style.

Experience in LGBTQIA+ philanthropy, community foundations, donor engagement, capacity building, research or public advocacy would be highly regarded.

We recognise that strong candidates may not meet every criterion. If you believe you can bring the leadership, relationships and commitment needed to advance Rainbow Giving Australia’s mission, we encourage you to apply.

• The opportunity to lead a nationally significant LGBTQIA+ organisation.
• A central role in growing LGBTQIA+ philanthropy and community impact.
• A committed Board, skilled team and strong network of partners.
• Remote-first working arrangements, based in Sydney or Melbourne.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Non-for-Profit salary sacrificing