Community Investment Lead

Sunshine Coast Regional Council; Maroochydore; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing program

Flexible working

Salary packaging

Job summary

Sunshine Coast Council is seeking a Community Investment Lead to steer strategic grants programs, partnerships and capacity-building initiatives across our region. You will report to the Community Partnerships & Capability Branch Manager and lead a high-performing team to deliver outcomes aligned with council priorities.

You will guide program governance, funding decisions and stakeholder engagement, working with diverse community groups to strengthen local capability and resilience.

Qualifications

• Experience leading grants, funding programs or community investment initiatives.
• Strong financial, risk management and program administration expertise.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building and cross-organisational collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Community Connections and Partnerships Team to achieve strategic community outcomes.
• Oversee governance, assessment, administration and continuous improvement of Council's grant programs.
• Build capability of community organisations through funding advice, training and project support.
• Develop strong partnerships across Council and the community to deliver impactful, community-led initiatives.

Skills

Grant management

Strategic leadership

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Business/Management/Community Development degree

Job description

Lead Council's community investment programs to strengthen local organisations, deliver meaningful outcomes and create lasting community impact.

Closes in 3 weeks

Closes

Category

Community Services & Development

Location

Type

Permanent Full-time

Above Award Contract

Location: Maroochydore - City Hall

Vacancy No: 7309

Permanent - Full-time

Why work with us?

At Council, we’re proud of our region. We collaborate with community to achieve truly sustainable outcomes, enhance our enviable lifestyle, and create award-winning places and spaces that are uniquely Sunshine Coast. So, if you love it here as much as we do, and you want to shape our region for the future – you’ll want to join our team !

With the vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region - Connected. Liveable. Thriving , our region is a model of sustainability, where caring for our environment, creating vibrant communities and growing our local economy is a way of life.

About the Role

The Community Partnerships & Capability Branch plays a vital role in connecting, empowering and strengthening communities across the Sunshine Coast. Through community planning, partnerships, grants, programs and initiatives, the branch supports inclusion, resilience and participation while helping community organisations and local initiatives thrive. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to projects that make a genuine difference to the region and its people.

As Community Investment Lead, you will provide strategic leadership for Council's grants programs, community partnerships and capacity‑building initiatives. Reporting to the Branch Manager Community Partnerships & Capability, you will lead a high‑performing team while ensuring community funding programs deliver meaningful outcomes aligned with Council's strategic priorities. This is a rewarding leadership role where you can help strengthen community capability, drive innovation and influence positive change across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Community Connections and Partnerships Team to achieve strategic community outcomes.
• Oversee the governance, assessment, administration and continuous improvement of Council's grant programs.
• Build the capability of community organisations through funding advice, training and project support.
• Develop strong partnerships across Council and the community to deliver impactful, community‑led initiatives.

This position is based at Sunshine Coast City Hall , in the heart of Maroochydore CBD. This state of the art and sustainable building is designed to achieve an innovative and collaborative workspace.

About you

• You are an experienced leader with demonstrated success managing grants, funding programs or community investment initiatives. You thrive in environments where strategy, governance and community outcomes come together.
• You bring strong financial, risk management and program administration expertise, with the ability to ensure accountability and effective stewardship of public funds.
• You are an exceptional communicator who can build trusted relationships, influence stakeholders and work collaboratively across complex organisational and community environments.
• You hold relevant tertiary qualifications in business, management, community development, local government or a related discipline, along with proven experience leading high‑performing teams and driving continuous improvement.

Our Culture & Employee Benefits

Council is committed to creating an inclusive, culturally diverse , healthy, skilled and dedicated workplace culture. As an employee you will enjoy a range of benefits and working styles to suit you:

• Wellbeing: Your wellbeing is important to us therefore we offer several different initiatives such as discounted health related memberships, fitness passport, employee assistance program and development opportunities.
• Flexibility:We know it is important to balance life and work; therefore, we offer flexible working including a 9-day fortnight and a hybrid WFH model that help you be your best.
• Extras:Those extras make a difference therefore we offer salary packagingoptions on novated leases, superannuation, smartphones and devices.

Further Information

Helpful information to assist you in completing your application is available on the Sunshine Coast Council website.

For specific enquiries contact Karyn Stillwell during business hours on 0418 115 290.

We're working hard to create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to the Recruitment Team [e-mail] .

At Sunshine Coast Council, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background including First Nations, disability, religion and sexual orientation. To deliver the best service to our region we want a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we serve. Sunshine Coast Council strongly encourages all suitable applicants to apply for this role.