Regional Communications & Engagement Lead

Populous People Limited; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Populous People Limited in Hawke’s Bay seeks an Engagement and Communications Manager to steer Water Hawke’s Bay’s communications and engagement strategy as the region prepares to deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services from 1 July 2027.

You will lead across communications, engagement, customer experience and reputation management, building trusted relationships with mana whenua, communities, regulators and governance bodies, guiding brand development through a period of

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in managing strategic communications in politically complex environments.
• Ability to engage with and present to key regional leaders and stakeholders, including mana whenua, will be essential.
• Relatability to utilities and infrastructure, and experience operating in multi-shareholder environments highly regarded.
• Brand and organisational identity development expertise and messaging across audiences and channels.

Responsibilities

• Steer Water Hawke’s Bay’s communications and engagement strategy for the region.
• Provide structured, consistent communications to governance bodies and shareholder councils.
• Lead across communications, engagement, customer experience and reputation management.
• Support refinement of the organisation’s purpose, vision, values and identity.
• Ensure narrative and stakeholder relationships are coherent and aligned with Hawke’s Bay communities.

Skills

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Leadership

Change management

Job description

Populous People Limited in Hawke’s Bay seeks an Engagement and Communications Manager to steer Water Hawke’s Bay’s communications and engagement strategy as the region prepares to deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services from 1 July 2027.

You will lead across communications, engagement, customer experience and reputation management, building trusted relationships with mana whenua, communities, regulators and governance bodies, guiding brand development through a period of