Role Description/Criteria
Full time | Ongoing | Leadership opportunity
Founded in 1896, Mount Lilydale Mercy College is a Catholic, co-educational secondary College located in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs. With more than 1,500 students, MLMC is a vibrant, values-driven learning community guided by Gospel values and the Mercy tradition.
As the College continues a period of significant growth and strategic transformation, we are now seeking an exceptional leader to establish and shape a newly created and highly influential role: Head of Advancement.
This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a contemporary Advancement function from the ground up—one that will play a pivotal role in strengthening the College’s future direction, community impact, and long-term sustainability.
About the Role
The Head of Advancement will lead a broad and integrated portfolio spanning enrolments, alumni relations, community engagement, partnerships, and philanthropy. This role sits at the heart of the College’s growth agenda and will directly influence how the College connects with current families, prospective families, alumni, and the wider community.
This is not a maintenance role—it is a build, lead, and grow mandate.
You will have the opportunity to design strategy, shape systems and implement initiatives that elevate the College’s profile, strengthen engagement and deliver measurable growth in enrolments and community support.
Key responsibilities include:
- Creating and implementating a forward-looking Advancement strategy
- Driving enrolment growth, conversion and retention across the College
- Building a strong and engaged alumni and community network
- Developing meaningful partnerships, sponsorships and philanthropic opportunities
- Leading the Advancement team
- Using data, insights and market intelligence to guide strategy and decision-making
- Working closely with Marketing to strengthen brand, reputation and community presence
About You
We are looking for a strategic, dynamic and relationship-focused leader who thrives in environments where they can both shape direction and deliver outcomes.
You will bring:
- Significant experience in advancement, enrolments, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, community relations or business development
- A proven track record of leading growth or engagement strategies
- Strong leadership capability, including the ability to build, develop and inspire teams
- Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship-building skills
- A balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution
- Experience delivering measurable outcomes in growth, engagement or revenue generation
- A professional, collaborative and future-focused mindset
Experience within education, not-for-profit, or community-based organisations will be highly regarded.
Why Join Us?
At Mount Lilydale Mercy College, we are investing strongly in our future and building a contemporary and connected College community.
- Newly created leadership opportunity with significant impact
- Lead the College's enrolment growth, engagement and advancement strategy
- Join a thriving and ambitious College investing in its future direction
- Collaborative and values-driven leadership environment
- Professional growth and development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Salary packaging benefits
- Onsite parking provided
The successful candidate must have the relevant rights to work in Australia, a current Working with Children Check and a current National Police Check (or be in possession of such prior to commencing).
Mount Lilydale Mercy College is committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children and young people. We are an equal opportunity employer.
Application Procedure
Before applying, applicants are asked to review the Position Description to gain a clear understanding of the role and its requirements.
Applications must include:
- A covering letter that addresses the selection criteria within the Position Description
- A current CV
- A completed Application Form
Documentation should be merged into a single PDF document.
Applications should be sent directly to the Human Resources team at employment@mlmc.vic.edu.au.