Media & Communications Partnering Lead (Education, Faculty)

University of Auckland; Auckland; On-site; NZD 114,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/remote working patterns

Competitive remuneration package

5 weeks annual leave

Wellbeing and EAP services

Professional leadership development

Job summary

University of Auckland is seeking a Media & Communications Partnering Lead (Education, Faculty) to head a new embedded team. You will shape strategic advice and communications for the university’s education portfolio, reporting to the Director of Communications.

You’ll lead a small team, partner with senior leaders, and drive proactive storytelling to protect and enhance the university’s reputation across faculties and external audiences.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic communications, media relations or public relations within a large and complex organisation.
• Proven people leadership experience, including coaching and performance development.
• Experience managing reputationally sensitive communications issues and supporting organisational priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of five Media and Communications Partners and embed a partnering model.
• Provide strategic communications counsel and reputation management to senior leaders.
• Oversee planning, messaging and delivery to audiences and channels; support crisis responses.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Public relations

People leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Cultural competency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Media & Communications Partnering Lead (Education, Faculty)

University of Auckland – Auckland, North Island

With more than 47,000 students and over 6,000 staff,WaipapaTaumataRau is New Zealand's leading university and a globally connected organisation dedicated toadvancing understanding, transforminglivesand shaping futures.

As part of our newly established Communications function,we'vecreatedthe roleofMediaand Communications Partnering Lead (Education and Faculty)tohead upa new team ofembeddedMedia and Communications Partners.This is a rare opportunityforan experienced and people-focused communications leader,to helpshape thefuture directionof communications at New Zealand's leadingUniversity.

Find out more about howwe’rereshaping how we engage with our internal and external audiences across our Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Engagement functionsMarketing, Recruitment, Communications and Engagement

TeWhiwhingamahi | The opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Communications,you’lllead ateam of fivetrustedMedia and Communications Partners. Togetheryou’llcreate a newpartnering modeltodeliver high-quality strategic advice and communications support for the University’s faculties (Law, Business & Economics, Arts & Education, Science, Engineering & Design and Medical and Health Sciences).

As a trusted advisor to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and the Education Office,you’llsupport strategic communications planning and delivery, stakeholder engagement and reputation-sensitive activity relating to the University’s education portfolio.

With a strong media focus, your team will proactively tell the University’s most compelling stories,shapingreputation and contributing to our social licence. We want to talk about not only what the University is good at, but whatit’sgood for.

Key areas of focus

• Lead,coachand develop a team of communications professionals,imbedding a future-focussed partnering model built onexpertiseand collaboration.
• Provide strategic communications counsel and reputation managementexpertiseto the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education, EducationOfficeand other senior leaders.
• Oversee communications planning, messaging, and delivery, helpingidentifythe audiences that matter most, the channels to reach them and the stories that will resonate.
• Support communications responses during emerging issues and crisis situations.

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity. The full salary range for this role is $114,400 - $169,800 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 $122,501 – $155,000 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, andourcommitment to pay equity.

For more detailed information about the role and requirements, please refer to theposition description

He kōreromōu| About you

• Significant experiencein strategic communications, media relations, communications business partnering or public relations within a large and complex organisation.
• Proven people leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, performancedevelopmentand leading teams through change.
• Experience managing reputationally sensitive communications issues and supporting organisational priorities in dynamic environments.
• Sound understanding of New Zealand’s changing media landscape and the impacts of AI on how audiences are engaging with content.
• Cultural competency and experience in shaping communications for diverse audiences, with a strong understanding of Te Ao Māori and TeTiritio Waitangi.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of an organisation.
• Excellent planning,prioritisationand problem-solving abilities.
• Confidenceoperatingin ambiguity and balancing strategic oversight with hands-on support whenrequired.
• A commitment to TeTiritio Waitangi, equity,inclusionand culturally responsive practice.

Ngāāhuatangakeiamātou| What we offer

Our scale creates opportunities that few organisations can offer. From research and innovation to education,reputationand community engagement,you'llwork across a diverse range of communications challenges while contributing to initiatives that have real and lasting impact for staff, students, ourcommunitiesand the world.

Beyond the work itself,you'llbe joining a vibrant and inclusive community.

• A commitment to work/life balance with a 37.5 hour working week, flexiblehoursand hybrid/remote working patterns
• A competitiveremunerationpackage with up to 6.75% super, annual salary increase with performance-based multiplier
• Time to recharge and disconnect with 5 weeks' annual leave andadditionalleave buy/sell scheme,
• Support for parents and carers with subsidised on-site childcare (including Kōhanga Reo), gender-neutral parental leave up to 9 weeks’ full pay, on-siteparentingand feeding spaces
• A commitment to the wellbeing of our people with confidential access to a range of EAP services, including mental health counselling, financial guidance, neurodiversity coaching androngoāservices, a world-class on-site fitness centre, access to student specialists across our supervised training clinics, discounted health insurance.
• The opportunity to grow with access to an extensive programme of professional, leadership and cultural development, including digital capability coaching, specialised leadership development programmes, and Te Ao and Te Reo Māori learning programmes for staff
• The opportunity to build your career with one of New Zealand's most diverse and complex organisations

Additional Information

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go towww.equity.auckland.ac.nz