Engagement Advisor

Rotorua Lakes Council; Rotorua; Hybrid; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Rotorua Lakes Council is seeking an Engagement Advisor to support authentic, inclusive community engagement across diverse projects in Rotorua. You will work within the Communications and Engagement Team to plan, deliver and evaluate engagement and consultation activities, ensuring opportunities are meaningful and accessible and align with the Engagement Framework.

This permanent full-time role (40 hours/week) is based at the Civic Centre in central Rotorua.

Qualifications

• Experience in community engagement, stakeholder engagement, or communications.
• Understanding of IAP2 principles and public participation methodologies.
• Ability to build positive relationships with iwi, mana whenua and stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication and facilitation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engagement plans aligned with Council priorities.
• Collaborate with Communications Partners for integrated engagement approaches.
• Provide engagement advice to project teams across Council.
• Build relationships with community groups, iwi and mana whenua.
• Coordinate workshops, public meetings, drop-ins, surveys and online engagement.
• Support statutory consultation processes and ensure compliance with requirements.
• Analyse feedback and prepare reports for decision-makers.
• Explain how feedback informs Council decisions and outcomes.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Communications

IAP2 principles

Public participation

Facilitation

Relationship building

Job description

At Rotorua Lakes Council, the work we do has a direct impact on the people, places and communities that make the Rotorua district unique. We're looking for an Engagement Advisor to help build trust and confidence in Council through authentic, inclusive and meaningful community engagement.

As part of our Communications and Engagement Team, you'll support the planning, delivery and evaluation of engagement and consultation activities across a diverse range of Council projects and initiatives. You'll help ensure participation opportunities are meaningful, accessible and aligned with Council's Engagement Framework, helping communities have a genuine voice in Council decision-making.

This is a unique opportunity to join our new dedicated engagement function and help shape what great engagement looks like at Rotorua Lakes Council. You'll work alongside experienced communications and engagement professionals while building your own skills and expertise in a supportive, collaborative and high-performing team environment.

What you'll be doing

• Developing and delivering engagement plans that support Council priorities, projects and community outcomes.
• Working collaboratively with our Communications Partners to deliver integrated engagement and communications approaches.
• Providing engagement advice and support to project teams and business units across Council.
• Building positive relationships with stakeholders, community groups, iwi and mana whenua.
• Coordinating and delivering engagement activities, including workshops, public meetings, drop-in sessions, surveys and online engagement opportunities.
• Supporting statutory consultation processes and helping ensure engagement activities meet legislative and policy requirements.
• Analysing feedback, identifying key themes and preparing reports that help decisionmakers understand community perspectives.
• Helping communities understand how their feedback contributes to Council decisions and outcomes.

This is a permanent full-time position (40 hours per week) based at the Civic Centre in the heart of Rotorua.

What you'll bring

• A demonstrated respect for tikanga Māori, te reo Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Proven experience in community engagement, stakeholder engagement, or communications.
• An understanding of IAP2 engagement principles, public participation methodologies and consultation best practice.
• The ability to build positive relationships with subject matter experts, project teams, stakeholders, community groups, iwi and mana whenua.
• Strong written, verbal and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work.
• An understanding of the local government and relevant legislation, policies and frameworks, would be an advantage.

Why join us?

At Rotorua Lakes Council, our purpose is centred on our customers, our communities, and our people. We are committed to working in partnership with Te Arawa, our local iwi, and aspire to being a bicultural organisation that reflects the unique identity of our district.

You’ll be joining a supportive, high-performing Communications and Engagement team that enjoys working together, sharing ideas and celebrating success. We support each other through challenges and take pride in helping our community stay informed and connected.

Rotorua is a fantastic place to live, work, and play. From world-class mountain biking, walking and running trails in the Redwoods Forest, to our beautiful lakes and cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone. Our offices are located alongside the beautiful Government Gardens, providing the perfect spot for a lunchtime walk and a daily reminder of what makes Rotorua such a special place.

If you’re looking for a role where you can grow your engagement career while making a positive impact in the Rotorua District, we’d love to hear from you.