Public Affairs Manager

New Zealand Defence Force; Wellington; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life cover (fully funded)?

Critical illness protection

Discounted insurances

Free will services

Job summary

New Zealand Defence Force is seeking a Public Affairs Manager in Wellington to influence conversations and provide strategic advice to senior leaders. You will shape engagement with people, stakeholders and the public, drawing on a team of communications and media specialists across the function.

This role focuses on strategy, influence and advice while handling reputation and issues in a complex, high-visibility environment. Based in Wellington with rostered after-hours support.

Qualifications

• Experience in public affairs, communications or stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders on complex issues.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic public affairs advice to senior leaders.
• Develop and deliver public affairs strategies and engagement plans.
• Identify and manage reputation risks and emerging issues.
• Support key organisational priorities, projects and initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate public affairs activity across multiple workstreams.
• Help leaders effectively communicate through change and uncertainty.
• Contribute to long-term reputation and stakeholder outcomes.

Skills

Public affairs

Strategic advisory

Stakeholder engagement

Media liaison

Change communication

Job description

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New Zealand Defence Force - Wellington Central, North Island

As a Public Affairs Manager, you will be at the centre of some of New Zealand Defence Force's most important conversations, providing strategic advice to senior leaders and helping shape how the organisation engages with its people, stakeholders and the public.

This is a unique opportunity to influence organisational outcomes, protect and enhance reputation, and support leaders operating in a complex and highly visible environment. Working as part of a professional and collaborative Public Affairs team, you'll focus on strategy, influence and advice while drawing on the expertise of communications and media specialists across the wider function.

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic public affairs advice to senior leaders.
• Develop and deliver public affairs strategies and engagement plans.
• Identify and manage reputation risks and emerging issues.
• Support key organisational priorities, projects and initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate public affairs activity across multiple workstreams.
• Help leaders effectively communicate through change and uncertainty.
• Contribute to long-term reputation and stakeholder outcomes.

This role is based in Wellington.

You will also participate in a rostered after-hours duty system to support media enquiries and emerging issues, for which compensation is provided.

We're looking for a strategic thinker who can provide trusted advice, build strong relationships, and confidently navigate complex and dynamic environments.

You may currently be working in public affairs, communications, media, stakeholder engagement, corporate affairs, or a related advisory role and be looking for an opportunity to broaden your influence and operate at a more strategic level.

You will bring:

• Experience in public affairs, communications or stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders on complex issues.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing communication or engagement strategies.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Strong influencing skills and the ability to build trusted partnerships.
• Sound judgement and the ability to identify risks and opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. But that's just the beginning - safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all - irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics - NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.