Executive Director Participation & Engagement - BirdLife Australia

Executive Director Participation & Engagement - BirdLife Australia

About us

As Australia's only national bird conservation charity, BirdLife Australia is on a mission to put birds and nature on the path to recovery within a decade, leading and facilitating action that halts biodiversity loss and restores ecosystems. BirdLife Australia takes a science and evidence-based approach to bird conservation. With a 100-plus year history and Australia's strongest and longest-lived collection of data and surveys, BirdLife Australia brings a wealth of observation and experience to the protection of native birds. BirdLife Australia is a diverse organisation with more than 330,000 supporters, donors, volunteers, campaigners, and members, over 130 staff across Australia, and a network of more than 40 voluntary community groups.

About the role

The Executive Director Participation & Engagement is a pivotal role responsible for delivering inspirational leadership to grow community participation and engagement in bird conservation impact including increased support through fundraising. This role will be the driving force behind BirdLife Australia's participation strategy with responsibility for identifying fundraising opportunities, crafting compelling and successful advocacy campaigns, managing donor communications and volunteer involvement, membership growth, and public awareness about bird conservation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, in partnership with the Strategy and Governance team, the development and execution of strategies to increase community participation and engagement in bird conservation.
  
• Ensure alignment of engagement initiatives with BirdLife Australia's mission, vision, and values.
  
• Facilitate strategic discussions with the Board, CEO, and Senior Leadership Team.
  
• Engage BirdLife Australia branches to maximise alignment with delivery of the Bird Conservation Structure and grow the impact of branch activities.
  
• Develop and implement programs to enhance volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition.
  
• Oversee bird conservation advocacy campaigns and government relations to maximise BirdLife Australia's influence and impact.
  
• Develop and implement a comprehensive multifaceted fundraising strategy to support revenue targets associated with BirdLife's community programs and strategic projects.
  
• Identify new fundraising opportunities and revenue streams, including individual giving, philanthropy, community fundraising and grants.
  
• Lead initiatives to grow BirdLife Australia's membership base and develop membership engagement and retention strategies.
  
• Provide leadership to the Participation and Engagement team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
  

About you

• A degree in Communications, Community Development, Social Sciences or a related field, with significant experience in fundraising and engagement.
  
• Proven leadership experience at a senior executive level.
  
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing engagement strategies.
  
• Strong understanding of community engagement best practices.
  
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
  
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  
• High level of computer literacy.
  
• Experience in the not-for-profit sector, preferably within conservation or environmental organisations (desirable).
  
• Experience in volunteer management and public advocacy (desirable).
  

How to Apply:

To express your interest in this role, please submit your current CV and a statement addressing the Selection Criteria via email to people&safety@birdlife.org.au or apply directly through our website Birdlife Australia – Work With Us.

 For any questions and queries regarding the role, please contact people&safety@birdlife.org.au

APPLY NOW

Other Articles

Published October 8, 2026

Just a Minute: Getting board minutes right in associations and not-for-profits

Most boards don't have a minutes problem until they need them. Then they find twelve pages of who said what, or three lines that record nothing at all.

Read more

Published September 23, 2026

What Insurance Do We Need to Reduce Risk for Associations & NFPs?

Risk management is one of those areas that every association and not-for-profit Board knows is important - but it can sometimes become little more than a risk register reviewed once or twice a year.

Insurance can be treated in much the same way.

The organisation receives its annual insurance renewal, the premium is approved, the policy is renewed and everyone assumes the organisation is covered.

Read more

Published September 23, 2026

Who Really Decides Where Your Next Conference Is Being Held?

A practical look at volunteer governance, operational decision-making and what the events industry needs to understand about associations.

Read more