Manager - Community Engagement & Insights

Stats NZ; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37.5 hours work week

15 days sick leave

3 extra days off

Job summary

Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa is seeking an experienced Manager of Community Engagement & Insights as a fixed-term backfill until 30 June 2028. You will lead engagement with communities, iwi Māori, data customers and networks, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and turning insights into evidence for decisions.

You will set direction for the team using the Strategic Engagement Model, oversee engagement insights, and ensure safe, effective delivery of community-facing activity across

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of geographically dispersed or remotely based teams, with clear expectations and autonomy.
• Strong operational management translating strategy into priorities, programmes and measurable delivery.
• Experience leading engagement, partnerships, customer or insights functions in public sector or complex environments.
• Experience and confidence managing health and safety risks in public-facing engagement or events.

Skills

Leadership

Operational mgmt

Engagement insights

Te Tiriti knowledge

Job description

The role | Te tūnga

The Manager - Community Engagement & Insights position is a fixed term role in the Strategic Engagement, Māori Partnerships and Outcomes branch and we require a backfill through until 30 June 2028.

You will ensure engagement with communities, iwi Māori, data customers and networks is purposeful, coordinated and connected to organisational priorities. You will also oversee the operational systems, processes and disciplines that enable a community presence as well as engagement insights to be safely captured, analysed, shared and applied.

In this context, the manager sets direction for the team utilising the Strategic Engagement Model and leading the ongoing delivery and development of the Engagement Insights pipeline.

The Strategic Engagement Model supports a relationship based, joined up approach to engagement. It helps Stats NZ plan and prioritise engagement, strengthen enduring relationships, deliver in the spirit of reciprocity, and turn what we hear into evidence that informs decisions, actions and future planning.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou

About

We are looking for an experienced manager who can lead people well, deliver reliably and think beyond the immediate task. In your CV and cover letter, tell us about your experience in the following areas:

• Proven leadership of geographically dispersed or remotely based teams, including setting clear expectations, building connection and capability, and supporting experienced people to operate with appropriate autonomy.
• Strong operational management, with the ability to translate strategy into clear priorities, coordinated work programmes, systems and measurable delivery.
• Strategic judgement and systems thinking, including the ability to connect regional activity to national priorities and balance community perspectives with Stats NZ’s strategic direction.
• Experience leading complex engagement, partnership, customer, community or insights functions in a public sector or similarly complex environment.
• Experience and confidence managing health and safety risks and practical considerations associated with public-facing engagement, events or community-based activity.
• Experience using qualitative information and engagement insights to support analysis, advice, planning and decision-making.
• Credibility with senior leaders and external partners, and the ability to present complex information clearly.
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the public service context and experience supporting Tiriti-centred, culturally grounded and inclusive approaches. To support this work, proficiency in te reo Māori, or a strong commitment to developing te reo Māori capability is welcomed.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and applying cultural capability in their practice.

We recognise that valuable skills can come from both paid and unpaid work. You might have gained experience in education, hospitality, technology, public service, the marae, or the arts. You might have experience from community involvement, volunteering, or whānau responsibilities. We welcome and value all forms of transferable skills. Please bring your full unique self to your application.

For all our roles, we’re looking for people who:

• Act with integrity, take responsibility, and do what’s right even when it’s hard.
• Understand the ‘why’ behind their work and focus on delivering real value.
• Stay curious and open to learning, seeing challenges as chances to grow.
• Build respectful and inclusive relationships, grounded in care for others.
• Work collaboratively across boundaries and contribute to collective outcomes.

We don’t expect you to know everything. What matters is your genuine interest, commitment, and readiness to grow with us. Tell us about yourself in your cover letter, what attracted you to this role, and what you would bring to Stats NZ.

About Us | Ko mātou

Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa is the National Statistics Office, leading the way in data and insights. While this is our focus, it’s our people who are central to everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and experiences, recognising that our work is strengthened by the people behind it.

The data and insights we produce help shape decisions across government, communities, and businesses, and plays an important role in telling the story of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our mahi supports informed decision making at both national and local levels, helping improve outcomes for people, the economy, and the environment.

We’re proud of the role we play in guiding and strengthening the data system, with a goal of delivering high quality data with equitable access for all.

What’s in it for you? | Ngā hua ka riro ki a koe

Take a look at our Stats NZ careers site to learn more about our organisational values: He pēwhea ā tātou tikanga mahi | The way we work.

Some Key Benefits Include

• 37.5 hours work week.
• 15 days sick leave allowance (to be used for yourself or people under your care).
• 3 extra days off (taken during end-of-year office closure).

Starting salary for this position: $119,795.00 - $140,935.00 + kiwisaver