Community Investment Lead

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 packaging options on novated leases, superannuation, smartphones and devices.

How to apply

Your written application should include:

• A 1-2 page cover letter demonstrating your ability to fulfil the mandatory and desirable requirements on the Position Profile. Keep the key responsibilities in mind when addressing these criteria; and
• A current resume or curriculum vitae.

Once you have these two documents ready, click ‘Apply Now’ and follow the prompts to complete your application.

Further Information

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

To learn more about Council’s vision and projects, you can view the Corporate Plan 2025-2030.

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 [email protected].

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.