Executive Communications Adviser

Aitomic Jobs; Auckland; Remote; NZD 90,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Auckland is seeking an Executive Communications Adviser to join the Communications team. You will develop and deliver executive communications for the Vice-Chancellor and senior leaders, draft speeches and messages, and partner closely with leadership to shape tone and approach for diverse audiences.

The role requires exceptional writing and editing, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to navigate sensitive issues with discretion in a large organisation.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering executive, corporate, strategic, or senior leadership communications within a large and complex organisation.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, adaptable to different stakeholders and situations.
• Drafting speeches, leadership messages and other executive communications.
• Strong judgement and political awareness; handle sensitive and high-risk issues with discretion.
• Understanding Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi to shape inclusive communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver executive communications for the Vice-Chancellor and senior leadership.
• Draft speeches, messages, briefings, statements, talking points and presentations.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to shape messaging, tone, and approaches.
• Support executive communications during issues, incidents, and crises.
• Ensure messaging aligns with strategic priorities and reputation objectives.

Skills

Executive communications

Writing

Editing

Storytelling

Speech drafting

Stakeholder management

Cultural competency

Job description

Short Summary

Executive Communications Adviser with University of Auckland. With more than 47,000 students and over 6,000 staff, Waipapa Taumata Rau is New Zealand's leading university and a globally connected organisation dedicated to advancing understanding, transforming lives and shaping futures. As part of our newly established Communications function, we're boosting our strategic communications capabilities to help shape and…

Key Details

• Position / opportunity: Executive Communications Adviser
• Organization: University of Auckland
• Country / coverage: New Zealand
• Location: Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
• Work arrangement: On-site
• Opportunity type: Jobs
• Sector: Education
• Compensation: Not specified
• Duration: Not specified
• Start date: 2026-09-01
• Application deadline: Not specified

Description

With more than 47,000 students and over 6,000 staff, Waipapa Taumata Rau is New Zealand's leading university and a globally connected organisation dedicated to advancing understanding, transforming lives and shaping futures. As part of our newly established Communications function, we're boosting our strategic communications capabilities to help shape and enhance the reputation of the University in the eyes of its most important audiences. Find out more about the ways we are transforming how we engage with our internal and external audiences across our Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Engagement functions. Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity We're looking for an exceptional writer and communicator to join the University of Auckland's Communications team as Executive Communications Adviser. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the University's leadership environment, partnering closely with the Vice-Chancellor and other senior leaders to deliver high-quality communications that support strategic priorities, elevate reputation, and engage audiences across Aotearoa and beyond. This is a position perfect for an outstanding writer who thrives in complex, high-profile environments and is skilled at crafting messages that make an impact. Key areas of focus: Development and delivery of executive communications for the Vice-Chancellor and senior leadership team. Drafting speeches, messages, briefings, statements, talking points, presentations, and other high-profile communications. Working directly with senior leaders to shape messaging, tone, and communication approaches. Supporting executive communications during issues, incidents, and crisis situations. Helping ensure executive messaging is aligned with the University's strategic priorities, institutional narrative, and reputation objectives. Building trusted relationships with senior leaders and subject matter experts across the University. Managing a dynamic workload that balances planned communications with emerging priorities and time-sensitive requests. This is a full-time, permanent opportunity. The full salary range for this role is $87,000 – $118,000 per annum We have a structured salary framework with three zones for those developing into the role (developing), fully effective (target) and contributing beyond what is expected of the role (upper). Appointments are typically made within the target range of $93,201 – $107,500 per annum, depending on skills, experience, and internal equity. We welcome conversations about your expectations and what matters to you in your overall package. Any offer will be made within the advertised range and guided by fairness, consistency, and our commitment to pay equity . For more detailed information about the role and requirements, please refer to the position description kōrero mōu | About you You'll be a highly capable communications professional with the confidence, judgement, and credibility to work alongside senior leaders in a complex environment. You'll be an exceptional writer who can quickly understand context, distil complexity, and develop compelling communications that resonate with diverse audiences. We're particularly interested in people who bring: Proven experience delivering executive, corporate, strategic, or senior leadership communications within a large and complex organisation. Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt style, tone, and messaging for different stakeholders, audiences and situations. Demonstrated experience drafting speeches, leadership messages and other executive communications. Strong judgement and political awareness, with the ability to navigate sensitive, confidential, and high-risk issues with professionalism and discretion. Cultural competency and experience in shaping communications for diverse audiences, with a strong understanding of Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders, subject matter experts, and key partners. Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer Our scale creates opportunities that few organisations can…

Responsibilities

• With more than 47,000 students and over 6,000 staff, Waipapa Taumata Rau is New Zealand's leading university and a globally connected organisation dedicated to advancing understanding, transforming lives and shaping futures.
• As part of our newly established Communications function, we're boosting our strategic communications capabilities to help shape and enhance the reputation of the University in the eyes of its most important audiences.
• Find out more about the ways we are transforming how we engage with our internal and external audiences across our Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Engagement functions.
• Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity We're looking for an exceptional writer and communicator to join the University of Auckland's Communications team as Executive Communications Adviser.
• This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the University's leadership environment, partnering closely with the Vice-Chancellor and other senior leaders to deliver high-quality communications that support strategic priorities, elevate reputation…
• This is a position perfect for an outstanding writer who thrives in complex, high-profile environments and is skilled at crafting messages that make an impact.

Requirements / Eligibility

• environments and is skilled at crafting messages that make an impact.
• Key areas of focus: Development and delivery of executive communications for the Vice-Chancellor and senior leadership team.
• Drafting speeches, messages, briefings, statements, talking points, presentations, and other high-profile communications.
• Working directly with senior leaders to shape messaging, tone, and communication approaches.
• Supporting executive communications during issues, incidents, and crisis situations.