Senior Adviser Communications

JobSpace; Wellington; On-site; NZD 105,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections in Wellington is seeking a Senior Adviser Communications for a fixed term until 30 June 2027. The role focuses on media management, stakeholder engagement, and day-to-day operations of the Department's social media channels.

You will support senior leaders and mentor junior team members. Based at the National Office in Wellington, it requires on-site presence most of the week, with an on-call element to discuss at interview.

Qualifications

• Strong writing and proofreading skills and exceptional written and oral communication.
• Ability to manage media relations and respond to media queries.
• Ability to provide strategic communications advice and mentor junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Research and respond to media queries.
• Identify and manage potential media issues.
• Arrange interviews or filming opportunities.

Skills

Media management

Written communication

Oral communication

Risk awareness

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

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.'

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 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.

Skills and experience: 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 benefits: 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.

About us: 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.

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

Applications close on: Tuesday the 15th of September.