About us

St George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers came together ahead of the 1999 NRL season to form a proud powerhouse with over a century of combined history and represent two of Rugby League’s richest regions. All Dragons are custodians of the Red V and while the Red V is in our possession, it’s our responsibility to add to the story and hand down the history and legacy to the next generation of Players, employees, fans and community. Built on our values of Courage, Connection and Passion we aspire to be role models for each other, for our fans, our community and our region.

As the Dragons enter a new era of investment and transformation across the Illawarra and St George regions, this role represents an opportunity to help shape what the next generation of the club looks and feels like - for our partners, members, fans and community.

About you

We are seeking a commercially astute and highly relational leader who combines a natural drive for sales and revenue conversion, with the attention to detail and care that translates great partner activation, satisfaction and retention. You bring the insight and range to oversee commercial as well as philanthropic or fundraising revenue streams. To be a successful leader within our culture, you will also have a genuine passion for people, community and building club-wide culture.

Your key responsibilities

• Actively source, prospect and acquire new business and investment, targeting high-value accounts to fulfill current and long-term revenue and customer-centric KPIs, continually building on a strong shared-value partnership proposition.
• Secure and grow new income streams by identifying, engaging, and retaining new and existing funders, partners, and philanthropists across mid and major donors, trusts, foundations, bequests, events, and a variety of non-traditional partnerships.
• Manage partners and foster a culture of trusted partnership and shared-investment and outcomes, over one of transactional selling.
• Work closely with the Chief Commercial Officer to effectively pursue and convert opportunities, leveraging Executives, the CEO, and other departments to build innovative integrated solutions and packages that generate long term growth.
• Build fundraising strategy by researching new opportunities, supporting core philanthropy growth areas, and helping develop initiatives to increase sustainable funding.
• Shape annual income plans for Major Donors and family Trusts and Foundations, providing strategic analysis, performance insights and income projections that inform Club decision making.
• Develop Corporate Business networking programs, Coterie and exclusive engagement opportunities. 
• Analyse sales data, market trends, and competitor activities to refine sales strategies.
• Lead partnership pitch meetings, leveraging industry networks, Board relationships and warm introductions.
• Inspire and manage a team of sales and account managers.
• Actively contribute to and embody the ethos of a customer-centric culture, where partners, funders, fans, community are closely-considered across all channels - spanning commercial, events &experiences, brand & marketing, content, merchandise and more.

Your qualifications, skills and experience

• 10+ years' experience successfully leading commercial partnerships, business development and philanthropy in the community, NFP or social-impact sector.
• A strong preference but no prerequisite for experience in the sporting industry.
• Proven experience in negotiating & securing commercial partnerships >$1m, high value donations, individual gifts or grants >$100k, building and managing fundraising programs.
• Strong strategic, financial and proposal-writing capability.
• Experience leading teams, with multiple direct reports, effectively growing culture, mentoring talent, and holding accountability to shared outcomes.
• Long-history of maintaining respected relationships across a wide spectrum of partners, colleagues and diverse teams.
• You must be legally entitled to work in Australia and have an ability to work outside of ordinary office hours (weekends, match days and events). 

Dragons Benefits

A salary commensurate to your experience

The opportunity to salary package

Perks & discounts – exclusive offers across a range of products and services

Helping you grow – professional development opportunities

Health & wellbeing – enjoy a discount on your private health insurance

Give back – time off to work with our community

If you're intrigued by what you've read and are keen to work with a great team, please submit apply now.