Senior Adviser Communications

Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections); Wellington; On-site; NZD 105,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Ara Poutama Aotearoa – Department of Corrections is seeking a Senior Adviser Communications for a fixed-term contract until 30 June 2027. Based in Wellington, this on-site role engages with journalists and media outlets, responds to queries, and manages filming and interview requests to support senior leaders and the organisation’s external communications.

You will provide strategic advice, handle high‑impact communications issues, mentor junior team members, and help shape the Department's

Qualifications

• Strong risk radar and ability to navigate sensitive or complex issues.
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills with strong attention to detail.
• Clear, confident oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to mentor junior team members and support senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Researching and responding to media queries.
• Identifying and managing potential media issues.
• Arranging interviews or filming opportunities.
• Mentoring junior team members and supporting leadership in communications.

Skills

Exceptional written communication

Oral communication

Attention to detail

Relationship building

Job description

Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) – Wellington, North Island

• Join a supportive and committed team where you can learn and grow
• Varied, interesting and fast-paced external communications work
• Fixed term role until 30 June 2027, based in Wellington

'Kotahi anō te kaupapa, ko te oranga o te iwi' –‘There is only one purpose to our work:the wellness and wellbeing of our people.'

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Corrections' Media Team is looking for a new Senior Adviser Communications for a fixed term contract until 30 June 2027. Our team is responsible for engaging with journalists and media outlets, responding to media queries, managing filming and interview requests, supporting senior leaders through events and issues, and managing Corrections' social media channels.

As a Senior Adviser Communications, you will play a significant role in our external communications efforts, focusing on media management and the daily operations of our Department's social media accounts. You must have a strong risk radar and exceptional written and oral communication skills. This role involves providing strategic advice, handling significant communications issues, and enhancing the Department's communications capabilities by mentoring junior members of the Media Team.

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Researching and responding to media queries
• Identifying and managing potential media issues
• Arranging interviews or filming opportunities

This role is based at National Office in Wellington, with the need to be based on site for the majority of the week. This is due to the reactive nature of the role and the level of stakeholder support often required at short notice. There is an on-call element to the role, which can be discussed at interview stage.

To be successful in this role, you will need the following, with additional skills and experience requirements detailed in the attached job description:

• Talent for recognising communications opportunities and good judgement in identifying and raising issues.
• Ability to independently navigate sensitive or complex issues and propose a way forward.
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills and attention to detail.
• Good oral communication and interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain internal and external relationships.

The midpoint of the salary range is $123,511 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $104,985 - $148,214 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Applications close on: Tuesday the 15th od September.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact *************@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.

We are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this role. Unsolicited CVs submitted by agencies will not be accepted and no agency fees will apply.