Senior Communications Adviser

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 105,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections is seeking a Senior Communications Adviser to lead strategic internal and external communications. You will develop plans, create engaging content, and provide trusted advice to leaders across the organisation.

Working with leaders and teams, you'll deliver communications that inform, connect, and inspire our people while supporting key projects, change initiatives, and events.

Qualifications

• Proven communications experience, with the ability to develop clear, engaging, audience-focused content across channels.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with the confidence to provide trusted advice to leaders and teams.
• Experience partnering with leaders as a trusted adviser, providing strategic guidance and practical solutions.
• Proficiency using digital communications channels, CMS, intranets and emerging technologies to deliver outcomes.
• Understanding of the New Zealand public sector environment and ability to operate in a politically aware setting.

Responsibilities

• Develop clear, engaging communications to inform and influence audiences across multiple channels.
• Provide trusted advice to senior leaders, managers, and project teams.
• Partner with leaders to deliver strategic communications guidance and practical solutions.
• Manage digital channels and intranet platforms to deliver effective communications.
• Support key projects, change initiatives, and events with strong stakeholder engagement.
• Promote best practice and maintain consistent messaging aligned with organisational goals.

Skills

Content development

Relationship building

Strategic advisory

Digital comms tools

Public sector context

Job description

Join a collaborative team where your ideas and expertise will make a real impact.

• Use your creativity and communications expertise to influence outcomes that matter.
• Fixed Term / Secondment opportunity until June 2027.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As a Senior Communications Adviser in our Internal and Strategic Communications Team, you'll help bring priorities, initiatives, and strategic direction to life through clear, engaging, and effective communications. Working closely with leaders and teams across the organisation, you'll provide trusted advice, develop communication plans, create compelling content, and deliver communications that inform, connect, and inspire our people. This is a varied role that combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You'll support key projects, change initiatives, and events, manage digital communication channels, develop engaging resources, and identify opportunities to strengthen organisational communication and engagement. As a communications champion, you'll promote best practice, build strong stakeholder relationships, and help ensure our messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with our Department's goals.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Proven communications experience, with the ability to develop clear, engaging, and audience-focused content across a range of channels and formats.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with the confidence to provide trusted advice to leaders, managers, and project teams.
• Experience partnering with leaders as a trusted adviser, providing strategic guidance and practical solutions.
• Confidence using digital communications channels, content management systems, intranet platforms, and emerging technologies to deliver effective communication outcomes.
• An understanding of the New Zealand public sector environment and the ability to operate effectively in a complex and politically aware setting.

Ngā painga | 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.

Mō mātou | 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.