Senior Communication Advisor

Waipa District Council; Cambridge; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid options

Meaningful work

Career growth

Life insurance and medical insurance

EAP and wellbeing initiatives

Free parking and staff discounts

Job summary

Waipū District Council is seeking an experienced Senior Communication Advisor to join our collaborative and professional Communication & Engagement Team. This is a permanent, full-time role, providing strategic communications and engagement advice across some of Council’s most visible projects and priorities.

Location primarily Te Awamutu, with flexibility to work from Cambridge office and from home by arrangement.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior communications or engagement role.
• Strong strategic thinking and sound judgement.
• Ability to lead integrated communications and engagement initiatives.
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, with a sharp eye for detail.
• Confidence building relationships in complex or high-profile environments.
• A calm, pragmatic approach, even when working at pace.

Responsibilities

• Leading and contributing to strategic communications and engagement plans.
• Delivering clear, timely, and engaging communications across multiple channels.
• Building trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, elected members, partners, and the community.
• Supporting consultation, engagement, and reputation management activities.
• Contributing to capability, consistency, and best practice across the organisation.

Skills

Senior communications role

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Writing and storytelling

Relationship building

Calm under pressure

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.

Waipū District Council is seeking an experienced, thoughtful Senior Communication Advisor to join our collaborative and professional Communication & Engagement Team. This is a permanent, full-time role, providing strategic communications and engagement advice across some of Council’s most visible projects and priorities.

About the role

You’ll play a key role in keeping Waipū informed, involved, and connected. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and contributing to strategic communications and engagement plans
• Delivering clear, timely, and engaging communications across multiple channels
• Building trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, elected members, partners, and the community
• Supporting consultation, engagement, and reputation management activities
• Contributing to capability, consistency, and best practice across the organisation

Who we’re looking for

You are an experienced communications professional, confident providing strategic advice and leading complex communications activity. You’ll bring:

• Significant experience in a senior communications or engagement role
• Strong strategic thinking and sound judgement
• Ability to lead integrated communications and engagement initiatives
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, with a sharp eye for detail
• Confidence building relationships in complex or high-profile environments
• A calm, pragmatic approach, even when working at pace

Experience in local government, the public sector, or project-based environments is desirable but not essential.

At Waipū District Council, community is at the heart of what we do. Our Communication Team is professional, collaborative, and forward-thinking. We work hard but also value balance, wellbeing, and flexibility.

We offer:

• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options
• Meaningful work that makes a visible difference
• Opportunities to grow your skills and career
• Life insurance and medical insurance scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and wellbeing initiatives
• Free parking and staff discounts

Location: Primarily Te Awamutu, with flexibility to work from Cambridge office and from home by arrangement.

Applications will be assessed as received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date.

Applications close: Wednesday 23 September at 10:00pm.