Communications Lead

JacksonStone & Partners; Wellington; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Invest NZ is seeking a Communications Lead to shape how the organisation tells its story and builds its reputation, working closely with the Chief Executive and leadership team. You’ll prepare ministerial briefings, manage media inquiries, and oversee content across digital channels while supporting internal communications.

The role offers autonomy in a growing organisation, with opportunities to influence strategy and drive high-impact communications across government and investment ecosystems.

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic communications, corporate communications or public sector communications.
• Strong writing skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging content.
• Experience working within government, including exposure to ministerial processes, OIAs and public sector accountability requirements.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of business, investment or economic development environments.
• Experience managing media relationships and organisational reputation.
• Strong digital communications capability, practical experience owning a website and developing customer facing collateral.
• The ability to build and maintain positive relationships, work autonomously, prioritise competing demands and deliver through influence.
• Sound judgement, political awareness and a calm approach under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver Invest NZ's communications approach and priorities.
• Provide strategic communications support to the Chief Executive and leadership team.
• Prepare ministerial briefings, speeches, talking points and official correspondence.
• Lead media engagement, reputation management and issues response.
• Manage website content, digital channels and key communication collateral.
• Support internal communication and organisational engagement.
• Build strong relationships across government, business, media and partner organisations.
• Help establish systems, processes and structure as the organisation continues to mature.

Skills

Strategic communications

Writing skills

Public sector experience

Media relations

Digital communications

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

JacksonStone & Partners – Wellington, North Island

• Help tell New Zealand's investment story to the world
• Build the communications function in a newly established autonomous Crown entity
• Broad standalone role spanning the strategic and hands-on delivery

• Help tell New Zealand's investment story to the world
• Build the communications function in a newly established autonomous Crown entity
• Broad standalone role spanning the strategic and hands-on delivery

Invest NZ was established to increase the flow of international investment into New Zealand and help accelerate economic growth, innovation and productivity. It is an organisation with a clear mandate, an exciting future and an important role in helping connect global capital with opportunities that will benefit New Zealand for generations to come.

About the Role

Based in Auckland or Wellington, this is an exciting opportunity to build something from the ground up.

As Invest NZ's first dedicated communications specialist, you'll shape how the organisation tells its story and builds its reputation. Working closely with the Chief Executive and the wider team, you'll be the trusted advisor on all things communications while also rolling up your sleeves to prepare high-quality ministerial briefings, deliver great content, manage key relationships and ensure important messages land with the right audiences.

The role is broad. One day you could be preparing a briefing for Ministers or supporting an OIA response. The next you might be managing media enquiries, building the new website or helping leaders communicate a new initiative. You'll enjoy variety, autonomy and the opportunity to have a genuine influence on a growing organisation.

You’ll be joining a small, high-performing team where everyone contributes, hierarchy is kept to a minimum and people work together to achieve outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

As Communications Lead you’ll:

• Develop and deliver Invest NZ's communications approach and priorities
• Provide strategic communications support to the Chief Executive and leadership team
• Prepare ministerial briefings, speeches, talking points and official correspondence
• Lead media engagement, reputation management and issues response
• Manage website content, digital channels and key communication collateral
• Support internal communication and organisational engagement
• Build strong relationships across government, business, media and partner organisations
• Help establish systems, processes and structure as the organisation continues to mature

What you’ll bring

We're looking for a communications professional who is equally comfortable operating in government and commercial environments.

You’ll bring strong judgement, excellent writing skills and the ability to move seamlessly between strategic advice and hands‑on delivery. You’ll enjoy being the person others turn to for guidance and won’t be afraid to jump in and make things happen when needed.

Ideally you’ll bring:

• Experience in strategic communications, corporate communications or public sector communications
• Strong writing skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging content
• Experience working within government, including exposure to ministerial processes, OIAs and public sector accountability requirements
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of business, investment or economic development environments
• Experience managing media relationships and organisational reputation
• Strong digital communications capability, practical experience owning a website and developing customer facing collateral
• The ability to build and maintain positive relationships, work autonomously, prioritise competing demands and deliver through influence
• Sound judgement, political awareness and a calm approach under pressure

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who enjoys working alongside and collaborating with others, thrives in a growing organisation and is genuinely excited about the role international investment can play in New Zealand's future.

Why join?

Invest NZ is still in the early stages of its journey, making this a unique opportunity to help shape both the organisation and its reputation. You’ll work alongside an experienced and approachable leadership team, have significant visibility across the organisation and be part of work that has a direct impact on New Zealand's economic future.

If you’re looking for a role where you can build, influence and contribute to something bigger than yourself, we’d love to hear from you.

Candidates must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: Sunday 13 September 2026

REFERENCE: BH-11781

FURTHER ENQUIRIES: Nikki Franklin on 027 287 9390