Grants Lead
•

Location:
Australia-wide
• Term: Two year contract
• Full-time: 37.5 hours per week
• Remuneration: SCHADS Level 6: $120,295 + 12% super + 17.5% Annual Leave Loading
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are particularly encouraged to apply Job title: Grants Lead Reporting to: Head of Development Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific, dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by providing access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy. Since time immemorial, First Nations and Indigenous peoples have been taking care of their Countries in Australia and the Pacific. These deep understandings, knowledges and experiences are critical to maintaining the health and vitality of Australia and the Pacific’s unique wildlife and ecosystems. EDO respects these great knowledges and strongly believes that EDO cannot achieve a world where nature thrives without working for First Nations and Indigenous peoples. The opportunity: Apply your grants and philanthropic fundraising expertise within a values-led organisation at the forefront of protecting the environment, advancing climate justice and supporting communities through the law. Reporting to the Head of Development, you will play a key role in strengthening EDO's philanthropic funding and long-term sustainability. You will lead the identification and development of grant opportunities, prepare compelling funding proposals and reports, and manage relationships with philanthropic funders and donors. Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will help secure vital funding, demonstrate the impact of EDO's work and build meaningful partnerships that advance our mission. Candidate Profile: Are you an experienced grants and philanthropy professional looking to use your skills to drive meaningful change? This is an exciting chance for someone who thrives on building relationships, securing funding and connecting supporters with causes that create lasting impact. You will bring exceptional written communication skills, a proven track record in grants management and fundraising and the ability to develop persuasive proposals that inspire philanthropic investment. Working closely with experts in law, science, policy and philanthropy, you will translate complex work into compelling funding opportunities, cultivate strong donor relationships and contribute to initiatives that strengthen EDO's financial sustainability. If you are looking for a role where your grants and fundraising expertise can contribute to genuine environmental and social impact, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities
The

key responsibilities
of the Grants Lead include but are not limited to:
• Identifying, researching and assessing grant opportunities that align with EDO's strategic priorities, funding needs and long-term sustainability.
• Developing high-quality, persuasive grant applications, funding proposals and supporting materials tailored to the priorities and interests of prospective funders.
• Working collaboratively with EDO's legal, scientific and policy experts to develop funding concepts, articulate project outcomes and translate complex work into compelling cases for support.
• Coordinating the end-to-end grants management process, including application timelines, grant agreements, deliverables, reporting requirements and acquittals.
• Preparing accurate, engaging and timely grant reports that demonstrate EDO's achievements, impact and responsible stewardship of philanthropic funding.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with grantmakers and philanthropic funders, including regular communications, updates and engagement opportunities.
• Managing and cultivating a portfolio of donors, developing tailored stewardship and engagement approaches to support donor retention, increased giving and long-term relationships.
• Identifying opportunities to deepen donor engagement and grow philanthropic support through personalised communications, funding proposals and meaningful connections with EDO's work.
• Supporting the planning and delivery of donor engagement activities, including briefings, webinars, site visits, private events and other experiences that showcase EDO's impact.




• Preparing donor communications, briefing materials, presentations and other fundraising collateral to support philanthropic engagement and giving.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date donor and grant records, including funding pipelines, relationship management activities, reporting and relevant information within EDO's fundraising systems.
• Monitoring and evaluating grant and donor engagement activities, identifying opportunities to improve fundraising effectiveness, donor experiences and internal processes.
• Contributing to broader philanthropy team priorities, fundraising campaigns and cross-organisational initiatives that advance EDO's mission and long-term financial sustainability. Key selection criteria: Essential:
• 3+ years demonstrated experience in grants management, philanthropic fundraising and/or donor relationship management, with a proven track record of securing funding.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing compelling grant applications, funding proposals, impact reports and other philanthropic communications.
• Demonstrated experience managing the end-to-end grants lifecycle, including prospect research, application development, grant agreements, reporting and acquittals.
• Proven ability to identify and pursue new funding opportunities, develop persuasive cases for support and align funding proposals with the priorities of prospective grantmakers.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining solid relationships with philanthropic trusts, foundations, grantmakers and/or individual donors.
• Proven ability to translate complex technical or specialist information into accessible, engaging and persuasive narratives that inspire philanthropic investment.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities, meet deadlines and deliver high-quality work with exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, subject matter experts and internal stakeholders to develop funding proposals and communicate organisational impact.
• Strong initiative, creativity and strategic thinking, with the ability to identify opportunities to grow philanthropic income, strengthen donor engagement and improve fundraising outcomes.
• Experience using fundraising databases, CRM system/s and other tools to manage funding pipelines, donor relationships and grant reporting requirements. Desirable:
• Experience working in the not-for-profit, environmental, advocacy, legal or public policy sectors.
• Demonstrated success securing and managing significant grants from philanthropic trusts, foundations or institutional funders.
• Experience managing a portfolio of donors, including developing and implementing cultivation, stewardship and retention strategies.
• Knowledge of the Australian philanthropic landscape and relevant tertiary qualifications in Fundraising, Communications, Business, Marketing or a related discipline. Personal qualities and cultural competency
• A champion of the EDO values.
• Strong initiative and self-motivation.
• Commitment to the protection of human rights and the environment.
• A strong sense of ethics and understanding of professional obligations.
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of First Nations and peoples from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations in both the delivery of our work and our internal culture.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative and team-based workplace. Our Culture and

Benefits:
We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or life stage.




• The chance to be part of the largest environmental legal practice in the Australia-Pacific.
• A very adaptable and family-friendly workplace.
• Option to work from home.
• 8 weeks paid parental leave, regardless of gender or carer status.
• 15 days personal/carers leave.
• 20 days annual leave.
• 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave per year.
• 3 days paid cultural leave per year.
• Extra paid leave over the Christmas period.
• Opportunities and encouragement to attend NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week events including paid leave.
• ICIP and Colonial Loading protection within employment contract.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• EDO proudly has a JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) Committee and a Mental Health Ambassador Committee, and has developed a First Nations Program with the aid of indigenous-led consultancies.
• Three Affinity groups for the following: Disability, Global Majority
* and LGBTQIA+ *Global Majority is a collective term that first and foremost speaks to and encourages those so-called, to think of themselves as belonging to the majority on planet earth. It refers to people who are Black, African, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or, have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’. Commitment to EDO’s Cultural Pillars: All employees are expected to contribute to a workplace culture that reflects EDO's values and cultural pillars through their actions, behaviours and decision-making.
• Thriving People & Professional Excellence: Demonstrating professionalism, accountability, continuous learning and a commitment to a safe, supportive and high-performing workplace.
• Shared Direction & Courageous Action: Working collaboratively toward shared goals, embracing change and demonstrating initiative, adaptability and courage.
• Grounded in Clarity, Strengthened by Trust, Driven by Ownership: Acting with integrity and transparency, building trust and taking ownership of responsibilities and decisions.
• Inclusive Impact: Valuing diverse perspectives, promoting cultural safety and inclusion, and supporting justice, equity and meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and communities.
• Purposeful Joy: Contributing to a positive, connected and respectful workplace, supporting wellbeing and bringing enthusiasm, curiosity and optimism to work.

How to Apply
• Apply via our website or by clicking ‘Apply here’: https://www.edo.org.au/jobs/
• To review the position description, please see this link: https://www.edo.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/EDO-Position-Description-Grants-Lead-Oct-2026.pdf If you have queries regarding this advertisement, please contact us at [email protected] Applications will close at 9:00PM AEDT on Wednesday, 18 November 2026. Applications will be assessed as they are received so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of the key selection criteria above. The Key Selection Criteria show the minimum essential requirements of the position. The desirable criteria outline additional attributes which would enable the successful candidate to perform the role more effectively; they are not essential but may be used to distinguish between applicants during the shortlisting process. EDO particularly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Pacific Island people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, workers of all ages, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+. Please note: Your application may be considered for future roles at the EDO within the next 12 months without additional advertising. Please notify us in your application if you would not like to be considered for similar roles beyond this recruitment. If you have any accessibility needs for the recruitment or interviewing process, please let us know in your application or by emailing [email protected]. Other Information All offers of employment may be subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.

📌 Grants Lead (Sydney)
🏢 Environmental Defenders Office
📍 Sydney