Senior Communication Advisor

Join Our Team, Waikato; Te Awamutu; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Life insurance

Medical insurance

EAP

Wellbeing initiatives

Free parking

Staff discounts

Career development

Job summary

Waipā District Council is seeking an experienced Senior Communication Advisor to join our collaborative Communication & Engagement Team on a permanent, full-time basis, delivering strategic communications across key council projects and priorities. Te Awamutu-based with flexibility to work from Cambridge and home.

You will lead strategic communications and engagement plans, deliver clear messaging across channels, and build trusted relationships with stakeholders, elected members, partners, and

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to strategic communications and engagement plans.
• Deliver clear, timely communications across multiple channels.
• Build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, elected members, partners, and the community.
• Support consultation, engagement, and reputation management activities.
• Contribute to capability, consistency, and best practice across the organisation.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Senior communications

Relationship building

Writing skills

Stakeholder engagement

Calm under pressure

Job description

Waipā 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 Waipā 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 Waipā 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 close:

Wednesday 23 September at 10:00pm.