Careers

Looking for a fulfilling role where you are empowered to help others and can create real change? Join our team and help people breathe better so they can live freely. 

At Asthma Australia, we love what we do. We are inspired by our purpose and our vision that no one experiences a life restricted by asthma.  

Things are about to get even better. We are currently in a time of exciting transformation to better enable us to serve those who need us most and to have lasting impact by influencing system change. 

Our strategic mission is to serve our community in a way that is person-centered and we apply that focus to the people who work with us too.  

At Asthma Australia:

• we learn what works and plan what’s next
• we empathise and empower
• we’re inclusive and collaborative
• we’re caring and courageous
• we’re passionate and persistent. 

Everyone in our team enjoys flexible working options and is supported to access the leave needed to balance work and life well. We measure the wellbeing and engagement of people across our teams regularly and are always looking for ways to maintain and improve our consistently  positive results.  

Our vision for inclusion at Asthma Australia is to foster real belonging so that the diversity of people who work with us feel respected for who they are. We want our people to feel fully enabled to make their unique contribution to our mission. We have clear objectives and accountability for action to guide our progress as we nurture an inclusive culture both within our organisation and for all those who engage with our services now and into the future.

Director of Development – Asthma Australia

• Create meaningful impact by improving the lives of people living with asthma
• Pivotal, executive leadership role in a bold, forward-thinking organisation
• Sydney | Full time, Hybrid

Asthma Australia is a purpose-driven, innovative national health peak body on a mission to halve preventable asthma hospitalisations by 2030 and create better health outcomes for people living with asthma.

Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Development is part of the Executive Team and plays a key role in shaping the strategic direction of Asthma Australia, ensuring innovation, growth, and long-term sustainability. This senior position will oversee a passionate and high-performing fundraising and marketing team of 10 —setting priorities, building capability, and nurturing a culture of collaboration, accountability, and ambition.

With a strong focus on impact, the role is responsible for driving revenue growth across a range of fundraising streams—including major donors, individual giving, digital campaigns, corporate partnerships, grants, community fundraising, and bequests—while also actively building a robust pipeline of major donors. You will leverage trusted relationships and deep connections within the philanthropic landscape to open doors, drive new business acquisition, secure high-value meetings, and inspire fresh support for our work.

As a pivotal member of the Executive team, this role works collaboratively to deliver on the organisational strategy to position Asthma Australia as a leading national health organisation with resources and influence to drive systemic change.

About you

• A career fundraiser with a growth and acquisition mindset—driven by ambition, imagination, and strategic vision
• Ability to pair high-level strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Proven success in leading and expanding major donor programs, securing large gifts and building strong pipelines to significantly grow revenue
• Expertise in strategic marketing and brand management
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience in developing sustainable income models and managing large budgets
• Driven by an organisation-first mindset, prioritising collaboration across teams and fostering a culture of collegiality and collective problem-solving
• A strong leader with broad and deep personal and professional networks
• An excellent communicator, with a proven ability to engage diverse audiences, lead through influence, and quickly build trust
• Experience working in or alongside the health, for-purpose, or social impact sectors with an understanding of the broader health policy environment
• Aligned with Asthma Australia’s values and committed to improving outcomes for people with asthma

Gembridge Australia champions diversity and is committed to building an inclusive environment. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation and genders.

Click ‘Apply Now‘ if you are a senior fundraising leader, passionate about driving lasting change, and helping Australians to breathe easier and live healthier lives.

Apply Now

Gembridge is proud to partner with Asthma Australia.

For a confidential discussion, contact Lisa Krishtul or Michelle Varcoe at Gembridge on 1300 313 413 or apply@gembridge.com.au using the subject line: Director of Development – Asthma Australia enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Director of Public Affairs and Policy

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Member of: Executive Team
Direct Reports: 3

Location: Canberra

Type: Full-time, hybrid

Grow organisational influence and profile, shape the national policy agenda and drive systemic change in asthma care through strategic government and media relations, policy reform and health partnerships. 

Asthma Australia is the national peak body for people living with asthma. With 2.8 million Australians affected, we are on a mission to halve preventable asthma hospitalisations by 2030. We are a mission-led, innovative and impact-focused organisation delivering education, support services, health policy and research to improve health outcomes for people with asthma.

Asthma Australia is seeking an exceptional executive leader to drive government relations, shape national health policy, and build influential partnerships that drive systemic change in asthma care. As Director of Public Affairs and Policy, you’ll drive our government relations, policy, media, and advocacy agenda, positioning asthma as a national health priority. This is an opportunity to lead at a systems level, influence public health outcomes, and deliver real impact. If you’re a strategic, politically savvy leader with experience in media and policy, we want to hear from you.

About the Role

Reporting to the CEO, you’ll lead a small team and take charge of:

• Organisational leadership as part of the Executive Team
• Driving Asthma Australia’s federal and state government relations strategy
• Leading policy development, government relations, media, consumer engagement and health partnerships.
• Building alliances across health, government, and community sectors
• Positioning asthma as a national health priority
• Championing the voices of people with asthma through compelling advocacy and engagement.

About You

You are an experienced Executive leader with more than 10 years’ experience in public affairs leadership roles who thrives at the intersection of strategy, influence and impact. You bring:

• Executive leadership with a whole-of-organisation approach and collaborative, solutions-focused leadership style
• Proven success shaping policy and funding outcomes at state and federal levels
• Strong understanding of political processes, health reform and public policy
• Credibility and contacts with government, media and health sector leaders
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, and media experience
• A connection to Asthma Australia’s mission and values
• Bonus points if you never miss an episode of Insiders.

Essential skills and qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications
• Demonstrated ability to lead at an enterprise level, contributing to whole-of-organisation strategy, performance, and sustainability as part of an Executive Team.
• Senior experience in public affairs, government relations, or health policy.
• Demonstrated success influencing state and federal government and securing policy or funding outcomes.
• Excellent political acumen and understanding of government processes.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including public speaking.
• Experience building partnerships across health, government, and community sectors.
• Strong people leadership skills, with experience leading small, high-performing teams.
• Alignment with Asthma Australia’s mission and values.

What We Offer

• A high-impact Executive role with national influence
• Flexible working arrangements and salary packaging
• A passionate, inclusive and mission-driven team
• A platform to drive systemic change and elevate asthma as a health priority.

Apply now to shape the national policy agenda and drive systemic change in asthma care. For a full position description, to arrange a conversation or to apply (send cover letter and resume) contact Kate Miranda, CEO, Asthma Australia at kmiranda@asthma.org.au.

Asthma Australia is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with lived experience of asthma or chronic conditions, people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Head of Health Policy and Partnerships

Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne | Part-time, 3 days
Must be a General Practitioner or former GP

Grow organisational influence and profile, shape the national policy agenda and drive systemic change in asthma care through policy reform and health partnerships.

Asthma Australia is looking for a passionate and influential General Practitioner to lead our health policy reform agenda and develop projects with key health organisations that improve health outcomes for people with asthma, the fourth most prevalent chronic condition in Australia. This is a unique opportunity to use your clinical expertise to shape policy, programs and partnerships that improve health outcomes on a national scale.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Public Affairs and Policy, you will lead the development of health policy, represent Asthma Australia publicly (with media, government, industry and sector forums) and build strategic partnerships across the health system.

You will be a trusted advisor to our CEO and Executive Team, with a strong voice in designing innovative, large-scale solutions to reduce the burden of asthma and improve quality of life for over 2.8 million Australians living with asthma.

Key responsibilities

• Policy Leadership: Create and advocate for evidence-based policy proposals that deliver system-level change.
• Government Engagement: Influence Ministers, departmental leaders and parliamentarians through credible advice and strategic advocacy.
• Clinical Expertise: Apply your primary care experience to inform consumer campaigns, service design and organisational strategy.
• Partnership Development: Forge high-impact alliances with RACGP, APNA, NACCHO, CHF, PSA, Pharmacy Guild, Pharmacy Society of Australia and others to drive collaborative health solutions.
• Systemic Impact: Drive initiatives that scale from individual care to population-level outcomes.
• Public Representative: Act as a trusted voice for Asthma Australia in influential settings — including government roundtables, media appearances, peak health forums, and industry consultations.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Experienced General Practitioner Extensive clinical experience with a strong interest in respiratory health, primary care reform, and health equity. A deep understanding of the patient journey and system-level barriers impacting people with asthma.
• Stakeholder and Relationship Builder Highly credible with exceptional interpersonal skills. Able to build trusted relationships at the highest levels of government, peak bodies and the health sector.
• Strategic and Persuasive Communicator Skilled in crafting compelling policy narratives, briefings, and advocacy materials. Comfortable speaking to media, presenting at conferences, and influencing decision-makers.
• Health Sector Navigator Informed and well-networked across the health landscape, with insight into funding, service delivery, policy-making, and primary care trends.
• Personal Attributes Energetic, collaborative, and values-driven. Focused on impact and excited by the opportunity to influence systemic change.

Learn More

About You

You are a GP or former GP ready to take your deep patient care and primary health experience beyond the clinic. You are ready to scale that impact nationally by driving major reforms across Australia’s health system. You have deep experience in primary care and a strong interest in respiratory health, health policy and equity. You are a natural relationship builder, a confident communicator, and have the insight to translate clinical experience into system-wide reform.

You’ll bring:

• GP qualification (mandatory), with extensive experience in clinical practice
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, including confidence in political and government settings
• Strong understanding of the Australian health system, policy and primary care landscape
• A solutions-focused mindset, with the ability to work dynamically and autonomously
• Alignment with Asthma Australia’s mission to improve the lives of people with asthma

What We Offer:

• Purpose-driven role with national impact
• Flexible, part-time work arrangement
• Opportunity to influence government and system change
• Dynamic and collaborative team culture
• Nationally respected health charity with a strong reputation for impact

Be part of something bigger. Influence the future of asthma care in Australia.

For more information or to arrange a confidential conversation, email Kate Miranda at kmiranda@asthma.org.au.  

Asthma Australia is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of asthma or chronic conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from diverse backgrounds