Senior Communications Specialist

Toyota; Palmerston North, Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Southern Cross health insurance

Discretionary staff bonuses

Staff discounts across products

Subsidised onsite café

Free parking

Job summary

Toyota NZ is seeking a communications professional to join the PR & Communications and Marketing teams at our Palmerston North head office. You’ll develop and deliver integrated communications that support Toyota’s business, brand and reputation objectives, from proactive media work to stakeholder advisory.

You’ll bring 5+ years in communications, excellent writing and editing skills, and the ability to translate insights into clear messages while collaborating with journalists, agencies and

Qualifications

• A qualification in communications, public relations or a related field.
• Excellent writing and editing abilities.
• Strong verbal communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Developing & delivering strategic communications plans aligned with business and brand objectives.
• Creating engaging media releases, speeches, articles, interviews, briefings and other corporate communications.
• Building proactive media relationships and identifying opportunities to strengthen Toyota’s reputation.
• Monitoring media trends and stakeholder sentiment to provide actionable recommendations.

Skills

Writing skills

Editing skills

Verbal communication

Education

Communications/public relations qualification

Job description

Based at Toyota NZ's Head Office in Palmerston North this is a great opportunity to use your communications expertise to join the team at Toyota NZ! Working closely with the PR & Communications and Marketing teams, you’ll help develop and deliver integrated communications that support Toyota’s business, brand and reputation objectives.

This role offers genuine variety. One day you might be developing a proactive media story or preparing a spokesperson for an interview; the next, you could be monitoring an emerging issue, advising stakeholders or turning insights into a compelling communications plan.

You’ll have the freedom to think strategically while staying close to the action, creating communications that engage audiences, strengthen relationships and help enhance and protect Toyota NZ’s reputation. If you enjoy discovering stories, building connections and making complex information clear and meaningful, this could be the opportunity for you.

What you will be doing:

• Developing & delivering strategic communications plans aligned with Toyota’s business and brand objectives
• Creating engaging media releases, speech notes, articles, speeches, interviews, media briefings & corporate communications
• Building proactive media relationships & uncovering opportunities that strengthen Toyota’s reputation
• Monitoring media, stakeholder sentiment & industry trends to identify emerging risks, insights and opportunities & turning results into actionable recommendations for stakeholders
• Providing trusted communications advice & preparing spokespeople with clear messaging & media briefings

About You:

You’re a confident and curious communications professional who knows how to find the story, understand the audience and bring ideas to life.

A natural relationship-builder, you’re comfortable working with journalists, agencies, internal teams and senior leaders. You bring sound judgement, credibility and a collaborative approach, and you know when to listen, when to advise and when to act.

You’ll be equally at home shaping a strategic communications plan, writing compelling content or responding calmly when an issue emerges. You thrive on variety, take pride in producing high-quality work and can manage multiple priorities without losing sight of the bigger picture.

Most importantly, you’re proactive, positive and excited by the opportunity to use your communications expertise to support a trusted NZ brand.

You will also have:

• A qualification in communications, public relations or a related field
• 5+ years communications experience, ideally including public relations & social media
• Proven experience developing strategic communications plans & supporting reputation or issues management
• Excellent writing, editing & verbal communication skills, with a talent for making complex information clear
• Experience with media monitoring, analytics & reporting platforms, plus the ability to manage competing deadlines

We value our team and are proud to offer:

• Excellent growth and development opportunities
• Fantastic job security
• Southern Cross health insurance
• Discretionary staff bonuses
• Staff discounts across our range of products
• A subsidised onsite café and free parking
• The opportunity to work in a global organisation

So who are we?

Toyota NZ is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan & in 2025 celebrated 38 years of vehicle market leadership in NZ. As the leading automotive brand in NZ, Toyota is focused on winning the hearts of NZ through exceptional customer experience & mobility for all.

We want to make mobility available to everyone through accessible, affordable and safe innovation and technology that enhances New Zealanders’ lives. We are a brand for all Kiwis, and we back positive progress in NZ society through our behaviours, community involvement, sponsorships and inclusion.

At Toyota NZ we celebrate diversity. We are proud to be an employer committed to equal opportunity and supporting individuals from all walks of life. Toyota NZ is also committed to providing access, equal opportunity & reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. If you have any special requirements that would help you put your best foot forward during the recruitment process, please let us know in your application message.

Only applicants with NZ Citizenship or NZ Permanent Residency should apply.