Are you a strategic fundraiser with the vision to transform lives and the drive to make it happen?
Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand (MSNZ) is seeking an exceptional Fundraising and Donor Relations Lead to drive our income generation strategy and secure the resources needed to advocate for New Zealanders living with MS. This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
Ideally, we would like an immediate start as this is a critical vacancy in our organisation.
About the Role
As Fundraising and Donor Relations Lead, you’ll:
- Design and deliver a fundraising strategy that diversifies income streams and builds long-term financial resilience.
- Build meaningful partnerships with individual donors, corporates, philanthropic organisations who share our values
- Lead innovative campaigns from direct mail to digital initiatives that inspire giving and demonstrate impact
- Steward donor relationships with compelling storytelling that connects supporters to the lives they’re changing
- Drive growth across grants, bequests, community fundraising.
You’ll work collaboratively with our small, high-achieving and passionate team at Multiple Sclerosis NZ, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution to achieve ambitious goals. You will also explore and implement opportunities to collaborate nationally with member organisations across Aotearoa.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Experience & Skills:
- Proven fundraising success – minimum 5 years in a fundraising, partnerships, or business development role with demonstrated achievement across multiple income streams
- Not-for-profit expertise – experience working in the New Zealand NFP sector with understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities
- Relationship mastery – exceptional communication and negotiation skills with the ability to influence and engage diverse stakeholders
- Compelling writer – ability to craft persuasive funding applications, donor communications, and impact reports
- Strategic mindset – balance short-term wins with long-term sustainability, managing risk and ROI across diverse fundraising activities
- Tech-savvy – comfortable with fundraising databases (we use Infoodle and Funraisin) and digital platforms
Highly Desirable:
Corporate Partnerships is a growth area for Multiple Sclerosis NZ. Knowledge, experience and success establishing corporate partnerships is desired.
What Makes You Stand Out
Beyond the technical skills, we’re looking for someone who brings:
- Genuine passion for our mission and the people we serve
- Ethical integrity with a transparent, donor-centric approach to fundraising
- Resilience and positivity – you’re solutions-focused and thrive in a dynamic environment
- Collaborative spirit – you work effectively across teams and with external stakeholders to achieve shared goals
Why Join Us?
- Make a real difference – your work will directly improve the lives of New Zealanders living with MS and their families
- Shape the strategy – this is a genuine opportunity to build and innovate, not just maintain what exists
- Professional growth – develop your skills across the full spectrum of fundraising disciplines while providing leadership to our member organisations
- Values-driven culture – work with a team that genuinely cares about making a positive impact
Key Responsibilities
Your portfolio will be diverse and engaging:
- Strategic Planning – develop and implement a comprehensive 3–5 year fundraising strategy with measurable outcomes and ROI tracking
- Donor Development – create meaningful donor journeys, manage direct mail programmes, and oversee all donation processing and stewardship
- Grants & Trusts – research opportunities and prepare compelling applications to philanthropic organisations, charitable trusts, and government funders
- Campaigns & Events – deliver high-impact fundraising campaigns across digital, direct mail, and peer-to-peer channels
- Corporate Partnerships – identify, secure, and manage mutually beneficial corporate relationships (this is a growth area with huge potential)
- Bequests & Legacy Giving – grow our long-term sustainability through targeted supporter engagement and marketing
- Leadership & Collaboration – provide peer support to member organisations and coordinate national fundraising initiatives
Success in This Role Looks Like:
- Year-on-year growth in fundraising revenue
- Increased donor retention and regular giving participation
- Securing new corporate partnerships that deliver mutual value
- A robust grants pipeline with high application success rates
- Positive feedback from donors and partners who feel valued and connected to our mission
Ready to Apply?
If you’re ready to bring your fundraising expertise to an organisation where every dollar raised changes lives, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit:
- Your CV highlighting relevant experience and achievements
- A cover letter (no more than 2 pages) telling us why you’re the right person for this role and what excites you about joining Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand
Applications close: Friday 20 February 2026 if the position is not filled before.
For confidential enquiries or more information about this opportunity, please contact Amanda Rose at amanda.rose@msnz.org.nz or 03 366 2581.
Join us in creating a world where people with MS can live their best lives.
See advert on Seek: https://www.seek.co.nz/job/90118902?ref=cm-ui