Senior Advisor, Stakeholder Engagement

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 116,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Sick leave from day 1

KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%

Vision assistance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand seeks a Senior Advisor, Stakeholder Engagement to shape how the aviation sector connects with the regulator. You’ll develop and deliver engagement strategies, coordinate stakeholder interactions, and provide trusted advice to strengthen relationships with industry, government partners and other stakeholders, supporting a safe and secure aviation system.

Working across the organisation with senior leaders, you’ll influence listening, communication and

Qualifications

• Experience developing and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies and communication plans.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong communication and influencing skills for advising senior leaders.
• Strategic mindset with ability to identify opportunities, risks and solutions.
• Strong organisation and multitasking capabilities.
• Understanding of government or regulatory environments; aviation sector knowledge is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of CAA’s stakeholder engagement approach and annual engagement programme.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation to ensure coordinated and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Provide strategic advice and insights to support stakeholder relationship management and engagement planning.
• Develop and deliver engagement and communications plans for key initiatives, consultations, and projects.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen industry relationships and ensure consistent organisational messaging.
• Coordinate stakeholder activities and maintain engagement planning tools and resources.
• Plan and deliver conference, events and forums attendance, and other stakeholder engagement activities.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Relationship building

Communication and influencing

Strategic thinking

Organisational skills

Regulatory environment knowledge

Job description

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• Shape stakeholder engagement across New Zealand aviation
• Lead high-impact events, consultations and industry initiatives
• Partner with senior leaders to strengthen trusted relationships

About the Role

As our Senior Advisor, Stakeholder Engagement, you'll play a key role in shaping how CAA connects with the aviation sector and wider stakeholder community. Working across the organisation and alongside senior leaders, you'll develop and deliver engagement strategies, coordinate meaningful stakeholder interactions, and provide trusted advice that helps strengthen relationships with industry, government partners, and other key stakeholders. This is an opportunity to influence how CAA listens, communicates and engages while supporting our vision of a safe and secure aviation system.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of CAA’s stakeholder engagement approach and annual engagement programme.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation to ensure coordinated and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Provide strategic advice and insights to support stakeholder relationship management and engagement planning.
• Develop and deliver engagement and communications plans for key initiatives, consultations, and projects.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen industry relationships and ensure consistent organisational messaging.
• Coordinate stakeholder activities and maintain engagement planning tools and resources.
• Plan and deliver conference, events and forums attendance, and other stakeholder engagement activities.

The salary band for this role is$115,536 - $141,751. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

You’ll be a strategic and relationship-focused engagement professional who thrives on building connections, influencing outcomes, and delivering meaningful engagement experiences. Confident working across complex stakeholder environments, you’ll bring a proactive approach, sound judgement, and the ability to turn engagement opportunities into positive outcomes.

To succeed in this role you'll demonstrate:

• Experience developing and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies and communication plans.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with confidence advising senior leaders.
• A strategic mindset and the ability to identify opportunities, risks, and innovative solutions.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• An understanding of government or regulatory environments, with aviation sector knowledge an advantage.

About Us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand’s international reputation.

Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system – so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.

Our values — Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration — guide everything we do. We’re committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and valued. Our people are central to our success.

Why Join Us?

• 5 weeks annual leave, with an additional 2 days after five years of continuous service
• Sick leave entitlements from day 1 and ten days domestic leave annually
• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance
• Employee Assistance Programme

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Please let us know if there is any support we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.

Please be aware that we may start shortlisting as applications come in. We encourage early applications, as the advertisement may close sooner than stated.