Salary: £30,509 - £38,220 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Eastbourne Borough
Contract: 12 month Fixed Term Contract
DBS Check: Basic
Closing Date: 28/08/2026 at 12:00
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Community Grants Officer to join our Communities and Strategic Partnerships team.
This is an exciting new role that will help voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across Eastbourne access funding, build capacity and deliver projects that make a real difference to local people. The successful candidate will also play a key role in ensuring the social value commitments secured through council contracts are translated into tangible benefits for residents and communities.
Working closely with community groups, partners, contractors and colleagues across the Council, you will identify funding opportunities, support organisations to develop successful grant applications, and help unlock additional investment into the borough. You will also act as a connector and broker, helping community organisations access opportunities such as funding, volunteering support, training, employment initiatives and community improvements delivered through contractors' social value commitments.
The role will include:
- Researching and promoting external funding opportunities from lottery, charitable, statutory and corporate funders.
- Supporting community organisations to develop strong funding applications, project plans and budgets.
- Delivering workshops, training sessions and advice surgeries to build local fundraising capacity.
- Working with contractors and community organisations to maximise social value opportunities.
- Supporting the development of funding bids for council priorities and projects.
- Building strong relationships with VCSE organisations, residents and partner agencies.
- Monitoring outcomes and demonstrating the impact of funding and social value activities.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting communities and has experience of working with community organisations, partnerships and funding opportunities.
You will have:
- Experience supporting organisations to access funding or grants.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
- An understanding of the VCSE sector and the challenges facing community organisations.
- The ability to manage a varied workload and work independently.
- Experience of delivering workshops, training or advisory support.
- Good organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of social value, community development, grant funding or experience working within local government would be advantageous.
This is an opportunity to shape a new role and make a lasting impact on communities across Eastbourne.
You will help secure new investment, strengthen local organisations and support initiatives that improve lives, reduce inequalities and build stronger, more resilient communities. The role offers hybrid working, opportunities for professional development and the chance to work with a wide range of community partners and stakeholders.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact:
Sarah Tye, Head of Communities and Strategic Partnerships
Mobile: 07814 913608 Email: [email protected]
Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils are committed to equality of opportunity, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk.
Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.
