Principal Advisor, Media

CGR Services; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working environment

Job summary

Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake in Wellington seeks an experienced Principal Advisor, Media to lead proactive and reactive media engagement and advise on risk and reputation. You will develop strategic and tactical communication plans and mentor colleagues.

The role focuses on shaping clear messaging across media and digital channels, supporting crisis communications, and building strong stakeholder relationships in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Strategic campaigns across multiple channels.
• Media engagement and issues management expertise.
• Excellent writing and storytelling to translate complex information.
• Trusted advisor to senior stakeholders and executives.
• Strong planning and delivery under tight deadlines.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in communications or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead proactive and reactive media engagement, including media releases and responses.
• Provide expert advice on priorities, emerging issues and reputation.
• Develop strategic and tactical communications plans informed by insights.
• Shape messaging across media, digital and other channels.
• Support crisis communications planning and issues management.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic comms

Media engagement

Storytelling/writing

Stakeholder advisory

Project planning

Qualifications

Education

Tertiary qualification in communications

Job description

About the role

We are looking for an experienced media and communications professional to join us as Principal Advisor, Media. Reporting to the Head of Communications and Engagement, you will lead NHC’s approach to proactive and reactive media engagement, providing expert advice on emerging issues, risk and reputation. You will develop and deliver strategic and tactical communication plans and activities that meet audience needs, strengthen stakeholder relationships and build trust and confidence in NHC. As a senior member of the team, you will be a trusted advisor and mentor to colleagues.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead proactive and reactive media engagement, including media releases, responses and risk management.
• Provide expert communications advice on organisational priorities, emerging issues and reputation.
• Develop strategic and tactical communications plans informed by audience insights and the wider operating environment.
• Shape clear, accessible messaging and storytelling across media, digital and other organisational channels.
• Support crisis communications planning and provide issues management advice.
• Build strong relationships across NHC and with external stakeholders to support coordinated engagement and communications.

Skills & Experience| Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• Significant experience delivering strategic communications campaigns across a range of channels.
• Strong media engagement and issues management expertise, supported by sound knowledge of strategic communications practice.
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to turn complex information and insights into clear, compelling content.
• Experience providing trusted advice to senior stakeholders and executives and building credible working relationships.
• Strong planning and delivery skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines in changing environments.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, journalism or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

What’s in it for you? | Nōu te rourou

• Competitive salary (including 3.5% superannuation)
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Commitment to your professional development (Professional Development fund)
• Wellbeing fund | Access to inhouse Wellness Coach
• Hybrid working environment
• IT home bundle

Why NHC Toka Tū Ake is a great place to work

Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake is an Aotearoa (NZ) Crown entity that invests in natural hazard research and education as well as providing natural hazard insurance to residential property owners. NHC Toka Tū Ake mission is to reduce the impact on people and property when a natural hazard occurs while administering the natural hazard fund. Our values define who we are; they influence the way we work with each other and the way we engage with homeowners, stakeholders and with communities, every day.

• Connection – hononga
• Curiosity – māhirahira
• Confidence – māia

We make a difference for all New Zealanders and strive to increasingly reflect the diversity of communities we serve by including and valuing perspectives from all backgrounds including ethnicity, religion, gender, age, accessibility needs, sexual orientation, and national origin.

Our commitment is a diverse and inclusive workforce because we know our culture thrives when we get this right.

Applications close Friday, 18 September 2026 at 5:00pm.