Head of Marketing and Engagement - Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane

Join Canteen and help change the lives of young people impacted by cancer. 

• Bring your marketing and engagement leadership expertise to one of Australia’s leading not-for-profits and love what you do! 
• Based in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane (hybrid-working supported) 
• Permanent, full-time position
• $185,000 + super + benefits

Our commitment 

Cancer doesn’t discriminate and neither do we. We believe that diversity in all its forms is a strength
and are committed to working towards being an organisation that is inclusive of all individuals, so we can create a more vibrant and innovative culture. Canteen welcomes people with diverse gender identities, sexualities, intersex variations and from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities.

Canteen acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as sovereign custodians of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Canteen is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and people of all ages.   

About us 

Canteen is all about supporting young people and their families affected by cancer. Founded by young cancer patients over 40 years ago, we offer programs and resources that truly make a difference for the 23,000 12-25 year-olds each year facing their own diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or grieving. We proudly run the largest national Regular Giving program in Australia and are known for our colourful annual Bandanna Day campaign.

Together, we believe our team can create life changing impact for these young Australians.

about the role

We are now seeking an exceptional marketing and engagement leader to help write the next chapter of Canteen’s story.  This is a rare opportunity to shape how Australians connect with one of Australia’s most recognised and trusted charities, while helping lead an ambitious growth strategy to expand our reach, strengthen our reputation and generate sustainable revenue so more young people can access the support they need.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Marketing & Fundraising, this role will lead Canteen’s high performing brand, marketing, communications, community engagement and creative functions.  You'll inspire a multidisciplinary team that embraces creativity, data, AI and innovation to deliver smarter marketing, deeper supporter engagement and measurable growth.

Working closely with the fundraising team leaders, the Head of Marketing & Engagement plays a critical role in supporting income generation across all fundraising streams through compelling campaigns, storytelling and supporter engagement.  

As a member of Canteen's Senior Leadership Team, you'll help shape organisational strategy, influence key decisions and build the marketing capability that will support Canteen's next phase of growth.

You will be the champion of the voices of young people impacted by cancer, keeping their stories at the centre of everything we do, while building deeper connections with our wonderful supporters, partners and communities.  You'll have the freedom to challenge convention, test new ideas and build a modern marketing and engagement function that delivers measurable scale and impact.

If you are looking for a role that combines purpose, performance and leadership in a culture that fosters collaboration and continuous improvement, we have a bandanna that would look great on you!

About our benefits  

We connect, we empower, we challenge, and we are real. These values ground the way we work at Canteen and underpin a culture that brings people together in an inspiring and positive way.
Find out more on our LinkedIn Life Page. 

• Base Salary + Superannuation + Not-For-Profit Salary Packaging (up to $18,550 of your salary tax-free).  
• 5 Weeks Annual Leave (FTE) + 17.5% leave loading + pay during our annual office closure week. 
• Early access to long service leave 
• Learning & Development opportunities. 

About our role 

• Lead and inspire a high-performing Marketing & Engagement team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Develop and deliver Canteen’s Marketing & Engagement strategy, driving audience growth, supporter engagement, organisational influence and sustainable growth.
• Shape and strengthen Canteen’s brand, leading integrated marketing, communications, creative and community engagement initiatives that increase awareness and impact.
• Champion the voices of young people impacted by cancer through compelling storytelling, advocacy, media engagement and strategic communications.
• Drive innovation and performance by leveraging data, digital technologies and emerging trends to enhance engagement, reach and organisational outcomes.
• Collaborate across the organisation to support fundraising success, identify new revenue opportunities and deliver campaigns that grow income and community support.  

About You 

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Marketing, Communications, Business, Public Relations or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in senior leadership roles across marketing, communications, brand or engagement, ideally gained within a fundraising environment.
• Demonstrated ability to create high-performing, values-led teams and develop strong stakeholder relationships that drive collaboration and impact.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategy that delivers organisational growth, audience engagement, brand awareness and sustainable revenue outcomes.
• Proven experience managing complex projects, budgets and competing priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes in dynamic environments.
• Demonstrated capability using data, insights, digital technologies and innovation to inform decision-making, optimise performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience working in purpose-driven organisations, particularly within the not-for-profit, health, youth services or community sectors, will be valued.
• Warm, compassionate, and authentic approach to supporting young people and their families 

If you’re passionate about what you do and are ready to make a difference, apply now. We’ll review applications regularly. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Employment Expectations 

To ensure an ongoing commitment to the success of Canteen, all applications must be able to:  

• Successfully complete and maintain a current National Police Check and Working with Child Check relevant to the individual’s state jurisdiction. 
• Undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment to guarantee the safety of all Canteen’s stakeholders. 
• Provide at least two direct referees to ensure a successful reference check is completed.  
• Provide relevant copies of professional qualification/s stated on the application.