Senior Advisor Funding & Grants

Nelson City Council; Nelson; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing leave

Health insurance

Generous leave

Learning opportunities

Employee discounts

Job summary

Nelson City Council is seeking a grants and funding coordinator to establish a centre of excellence, consolidating grant activity, setting governance, processes and reporting, and aligning funding with the Long Term Plan.

You will work with teams across Council to build relationships with funders, monitor opportunities, and deliver credible reporting that supports informed decisions and strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Experience in a grants, funding or similar coordination role.
• Track record of managing funding processes across multiple teams.
• Experience working with a range of funders, including central government agencies, trusts and foundations.
• Ability to assess funding opportunities and produce credible reporting.
• Knowledge of the New Zealand funding landscape is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a consolidated view of Council’s grant and funding activities across all teams.
• Develop and maintain consistent grants governance frameworks, processes and templates.
• Identify and monitor external funding opportunities and share them with the right teams.
• Coordinate funding activity across Council to reduce duplication and improve collaboration.
• Provide guidance and advice to operational teams on applications, reporting and funder relationships.
• Report on Council’s funding and grants portfolio.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key funders.

Skills

Grants coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in public policy or related discipline

Job description

Shaping our future | Kōmiria te anamata

Nelson City Council is undertaking one of the most significant local government transformations in New Zealand. Through Shaping Our Future, we're organising ourselves around the people and communities we serve, getting clearer about who does what, and investing in the capability we need for the years ahead. We're also working more closely with iwi, neighbouring councils and other partners to deliver better outcomes for Whakatū Nelson. Our new structure is in place, and we're now recruiting for the roles that will bring it to life.

You'll be part of a new function strengthening evidence-based decisions, strategic partnerships and economic outcomes for the region.

About the role | Kō tēnei tūranga mahi

This is a chance to build something new for Council. You'll lead the establishment of a grants and funding centre of excellence, bringing together grant and funding activity from across many teams into one clear, organisation-wide view. You'll set consistent grants governance, processes and reporting, and link funding opportunities to Council’s strategic priorities so we go after the right funding for the right reasons. You'll do this while drawing on the expertise and community relationships within our teams across Council.

• Maintain a consolidated view of Council’s grant and funding activities across all teams
• Develop and maintain consistent grants governance frameworks, processes and templates
• Identify and monitor external funding opportunities and share them with the right teams
• Support to align funding opportunities with the Long Term Plan, Annual Plan and strategic priorities
• Coordinate funding activity across Council to reduce duplication and improve collaboration
• Provide guidance and advice to operational teams on applications, reporting and funder relationships
• Report on Council’s funding and grants portfolio
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key funders

About you | Ko ngā pūmanawa ō

You're highly organised and can manage competing priorities while keeping oversight across a complex environment. You're a clear and confident communicator who works well across teams and with a range of internal and external stakeholders. You bring strong analytical skills and know how to build consistent processes without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

You will bring:

• Experience in a grants, funding or similar coordination role, ideally in local government, the community sector or a public-facing organisation
• A track record of managing or coordinating funding processes across multiple workstreams or teams
• Experience working with a range of funders, including central government agencies, trusts and foundations
• The ability to assess funding opportunities, monitor portfolio performance and produce credible reporting
• A tertiary qualification in public policy, business, community development or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• Knowledge of the New Zealand funding and grants landscape, including central government and philanthropic sources, is desirable

What we offer | Ko ngā painga mōu

• Supportive, empowering leadership that backs you to do your best work
• Wellbeing leave, platforms and initiatives
• Fully subsidised health insurance
• Generous leave provisions
• Learning and professional development opportunities
• A range of employee benefits and discounts
• Meaningful work that shapes our community’s future
• Mountains, beaches and national parks on your doorstep

At Nelson City Council, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and has a true sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from diverse ethnicities and cultures, LGBTQ+ communities, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disabilities. If you require any assistance with your application, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Applications close | Rā whakakapi

11pm Monday 16 November 2026

For further enquiries | Ina he pātai anō, whakapā mai

Please reach out to our People & Capability team by email at [e-mail].