Principal Advisor - Communications

Tribe Group; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Tribe Group is seeking a Principal Advisor, Communications to shape messages that resonate with Māori communities, media, and public sector audiences. Based in Wellington, you will work with senior leaders to deliver priority communications and manage complex kaupapa with calm under pressure.

The role focuses on high impact messaging, executive content such as speeches, and input on issues, risk and reputation.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualifications with strong editorial writing experience.
• Experience in strategic communications and media engagement.
• Knowledge of government context and public sector communications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to deliver communications for priority work.
• Advise on issues, risk, reputation and messaging.
• Draft executive content including speeches and key messages.
• Support media engagement and prepare responses.
• Keep content consistent across channels and collateral.
• Coach the team and quality assure high profile work.
• Lift communications capability with practical tools and guidance.

Skills

Editorial writing

Communications planning

Media engagement

Stakeholder management

Te ao Māori capability

Education

Relevant degree

Job description

Principal Advisor, Communications

• Shape meaningful communications that support positive outcomes for Māori
• Lead high impact messaging across internal and external communications
• Permanent role based in Te Whanganui-a-tara | Wellington

Join a small, high-performing Strategy and Communications team as Principal Advisor, Communications. This role is ideal for someone who can work confidently with complex kaupapa, maintain momentum under pressure, and shape messages that resonate across Māori communities, media, and public sector audiences.

Ko te āhua o te tūranga | About the Role

Working alongside senior leaders and teams across the organisation, you will:

• Partner with leaders to deliver communications for priority work
• Advise on issues, risk, reputation and messaging
• Draft executive content including speeches and key messages
• Support media engagement and prepare responses
• Keep content consistent across channels and collateral
• Coach the team and quality assure high profile work
• Lift communications capability with practical tools and guidance

Mōu | About You

The Successful Candidate Will Bring

• Demonstrated Principal Advisor experience, bringing a strong strategic lens
• Relevant degree and strong editorial writing, including speeches
• Communications planning and media engagement expertise
• Public sector experience and understanding of government context
• Strong relationship management across senior stakeholders, including iwi and Māori organisations
• Confidence working within te ao Māori, with te reo Māori capability, Te Tiriti grounding, and awareness of OIA and privacy obligations.

We are the landing place where our people can come to rest upon, a safe space.

Aplace where excellence and culture are encouraged and ultimately recognised.

Kia tau ai te mauri tū, te mauri ora ki te katoa.

Nau mai, tau mai! Vitality and well-being for all. Welcome, settle here.