Lead, Communications & Engagement Strategy

New Zealand Government Joba; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks annual leave

Life, Income Protection & Critical Ill

Development opportunities

Job summary

NZTA | Waka Kotahi is seeking a Team Lead, Communications & Engagement in Auckland/Northland. You will lead a high-performing team, mentor staff, and stay hands-on in delivering strategic communications and engagement across regional programmes and projects.

You will work closely with stakeholders, communities, councils, government agencies and iwi partners to strengthen relationships and support project delivery. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading communications and/or stakeholder engagement strategy and delivery.
• Proven people leadership capability including coaching, mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience managing competing priorities and complex workloads in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience across large-scale infrastructure, government, public sector or complex programme environments.
• A tertiary qualification in communications, journalism or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• IAP2/Engagement Institute certification would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of Te Ao Māori, Te Reo Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its public sector application.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to a team of Communications & Engagement professionals.
• Remain hands-on delivering strategic communications and engagement advice across key regional programmes and projects.
• Lead workload planning and build team capability while ensuring high-quality outputs.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and project teams across the region.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, communities, councils, government agencies and iwi partners to strengthen relationships and reputation.
• Support engagement activities to enable successful project delivery.

Skills

People leadership

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Relationship management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Project management

Infrastructure/government sector

Education

Bachelor or tertiary qualification in communications or journalism

Job description

NZTA | Waka Kotahi is seeking a Team Lead, Communications & Engagement in Auckland/Northland. You will lead a high-performing team, mentor staff, and stay hands-on in delivering strategic communications and engagement across regional programmes and projects.

You will work closely with stakeholders, communities, councils, government agencies and iwi partners to strengthen relationships and support project delivery. Travel may be required.