State Partnerships Manager

About Us  
Our mission is to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families. Our programs bring them fun, joy and laughter when they need it most… because happiness matters. When you join Starlight, you'll:  

• Change lives for the better, positively impacting the lives of seriously ill children, young people, and their families.
• Have inspiring and positive work. We work to our strengths; we care about each other, and we work collaboratively.
• Be included in an exceptional team. We’ve been recognised as a Great Place to Work, we’re one of AFR’s Most Innovative Companies and we’re also the most trusted children’s charity in Australia. 

About the Role
As our State Partnerships Manager (QLD), you’ll lead a small, committed team and grow the partnerships that help Starlight brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families. You’ll balance building new relationships with nurturing and strengthening the ones already in place, ensuring partners feel valued, connected and inspired by the impact they help create.

This role blends commercial thinking with genuine care. You’ll identify opportunities, make thoughtful decisions, and guide your team to deliver strong results while keeping the focus on meaningful, long‑term relationships.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and support a high‑performing corporate fundraising team
• Deliver strategy and Queensland business plan
• Grow and retain corporate partners through exceptional relationship management
• Identify new opportunities and make confident, strategic decisions
• Support donor care across corporate, community and events
• Provide clear reporting to the National Partnerships Manager & Executive
• Build strong relationships with State Advisory Boards and key QLD stakeholders

About You 
If you love connecting people to purpose and seeing relationships turn into something truly meaningful this role will feel genuinely rewarding.

You’re commercially sharp, relationship‑driven and naturally positive, the kind of leader who brings out the best in people and partners. You thrive in environments where collaboration, authenticity and joy sit alongside strategy, growth and performance.

You bring:

• Demonstrated people management experience
• Fundraising, negotiation and revenue generation capability (NFP experience a bonus, but not essential)
• Strong relationship management skills and confidence engaging senior stakeholders
• Sales or fundraising experience with long‑term partnership growth
• Demonstrated strategic leadership, budget management and operational planning experience
• A warm, engaging, values‑aligned style that reflects Starlight’s culture

Benefits  

Alongside the joy of seeing the impact of your work, our benefits support you at every life stage.

• Best Self leave days and additional carer’s leave
• Leave to support reproductive health
• Leave options for pet owners (because pets are family too!)
• Public Holiday swap & the option to work from anywhere in the world
• A strong commitment to mental health and wellbeing
• Development and growth opportunities in a workplace grounded in positive psychology

We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds who bring rich experience and perspective, strengthening our creativity and collective intelligence. We aim for Starlight to reflect the broader community and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with diverse abilities and those who are mature‑aged or early in their careers.

We are committed to an inclusive, respectful and safe environment where everyone can be their best and true self every day.

If we can make accommodations to our recruitment process to help you shine, please include this in your application.

For more information on Starlight’s commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, please visit our website. Here you will also find Starlight's vision for Reconciliation and our current Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Successful applicants will undertake a Working With Children Check and a National Police Check as they join the team and throughout their Starlight career.