Communications Lead – Industry

Jobtailor; Mount Maunganui; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Zespri is seeking a senior leader to oversee industry communications from its Mount Maunganui base. You will guide strategy, content, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring messages reach growers and industry partners effectively.

You will lead a team, apply analytics and AI tools to improve engagement, and collaborate with senior leaders to advance strategic communications across the primary sector.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, or corporate affairs.
• Proven experience developing and delivering strategic communication plans and programmes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; translate complex information into clear, engaging content.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders to provide trusted communications advice.
• Ability to influence across a diverse stakeholder group.
• Experience leading projects and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative leadership with coaching or mentoring experience.
• Digital communications capability across modern platforms; familiarity with AI tools.
• Experience in New Zealand’s primary sector advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of Zespri's industry communications strategy and annual communications programme.
• Develop engaging content across publications, presentations, grower updates, and digital communications.
• Provide strategic communications advice and support to projects and initiatives impacting growers and industry stakeholders.
• Build relationships with internal teams and industry stakeholders to ensure communications are relevant, effective, and audience-focused.
• Manage and continuously improve key industry communication channels and platforms.
• Lead and develop the Industry Communications team.
• Use insights, analytics, and emerging technologies, including AI tools, to enhance communication effectiveness and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Strategic Communication Planning

Stakeholder Engagement

Digital Communications

Content Development

Project Management

Collaborative Leadership

Coaching and Mentoring

Strong Written Communication

Strong Verbal Communication

Relationship Building

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Tools

Digital Communication Platforms

AI Tools

Microsoft Copilot

Job description

• Lead the planning and delivery of Zespri's industry communications strategy and annual communications programme
• Develop engaging content across publications, presentations, grower updates, and digital communications
• Provide strategic communications advice and support to projects and initiatives impacting growers and industry stakeholders
• Build relationships with internal teams and industry stakeholders to ensure communications are relevant, effective, and audience-focused
• Manage and continuously improve key industry communication channels and platforms
• Lead and develop the Industry Communications team
• Use insights, analytics, and emerging technologies, including AI tools, to enhance communication effectiveness and stakeholder engagement

Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualification
• Significant experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, or corporate affairs
• Proven experience developing and delivering strategic communication plans and programmes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging content
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and stakeholders to provide trusted communications advice
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and influence across a diverse stakeholder group
• Experience leading projects and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative leadership style with experience coaching, mentoring, or leading others
• Strong digital communications capability, including experience with modern communication platforms and channels
• Continuous improvement mindset and confidence using emerging technologies, including AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot
• Experience in New Zealand's primary sector, horticulture, agriculture, or a comparable industry would be an advantage

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in developing and delivering strategic communication plans, leveraging digital communication platforms, and utilizing emerging technologies like AI tools to enhance stakeholder engagement. Proven ability to build relationships and provide trusted communications advice to diverse stakeholders in the primary sector.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Strategic Communication Planning
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Digital Communications
• Collaborative Leadership
• Content Development

Hard Skills

• Strategic Communication
• Content Development
• Project Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Communication Planning

Soft Skills

• Strong Written Communication
• Strong Verbal Communication
• Relationship Building
• Influencing Skills
• Coaching and Mentoring

Certifications & Qualifications

• Relevant Tertiary Qualification

Industry Keywords

• Horticulture
• Agriculture
• Primary Sector
• Corporate Affairs

Tools & Technologies

• Digital Communication Platforms
• AI Tools
• Microsoft Copilot