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 new part-time role (0.5 FTE) that turns ambition into funded action. Primarily supporting our Forest Transition and Hill Country Reserves Programme, you’ll find and secure the external funding, grants and sponsorship that help the programme succeed. You’ll also administer Council’s climate change grants and be the central coordination point for the programme’s steering groups, reference groups, workshops and stakeholder events. You’ll be part of our grants and funding centre of excellence, working alongside our Senior Advisor Funding and Grants.

You will:

Research and identify external funding opportunities, keeping a forward-looking view of grant and funding calendars
Prepare and submit compelling, accurate and timely funding applications and bids
Administer climate change grants, managing compliance, reporting and Council processes
Coordinate sponsorship and revenue development initiatives, from identifying partners through to agreement
Provide secretariat support to internal steering groups, including agendas, minutes and action tracking
Coordinate external reference group meetings, logistics, communications and documentation
Plan and coordinate programme workshops and stakeholder engagement events
Maintain programme governance documentation and registers, including funding pipelines, decision logs and action trackers
Act as a central coordination point for programme communications and logistics, supporting the Programme Manager

About you | Ko ngā pūmanawa ō

You’re highly organised, pragmatic and self-managing, with strong attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple workstreams and deadlines in a programme where priorities can shift. You’re a strong writer who can turn complex technical content into clear, persuasive funding narratives. You build trust with a wide range of people, from community groups and landowners to elected members and central government agencies, and you have a genuine interest in environmental outcomes and sustainable land management.

You will bring:

Experience in grant writing or funding applications, with a track record of successful bids, ideally in a public sector, environmental or land management context
Experience providing secretariat or governance administration support for formal committees or reference groups
Familiarity with the New Zealand external funding landscape, including central government contestable funds, MfE, MPI and philanthropic sources active in forestry, land use or environmental programmes
Confidence coordinating logistics and communications across diverse internal and external groups
A tertiary qualification in business, community development or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

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 on [email protected]