Senior Engagement Advisor - 2x fixed term; 1x permanent positions

Wellington City Libraries; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working options

Health and wellbeing support

Staff discounts

Learning and development programmes

Job summary

Wellington City Council is seeking a Senior Engagement Advisor to deliver engagement across major city projects. Three roles exist: two fixed term and one permanent, all full-time, based in Wellington.

Selected candidates will work with project teams, leaders, communities, and elected members to ensure communities have a voice in decisions that affect the city. Responsibilities include developing engagement strategies, delivering engagement activities, and building strong relationships with

Qualifications

• Experience leading engagement for complex projects at senior level.
• Proven ability to engage diverse stakeholders and communities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engagement strategies for projects.
• Deliver digital and face-to-face engagement activities and gather feedback.
• Design inclusive, accessible engagement activities.
• Build trusted relationships with advisory groups, stakeholders and communities.
• Monitor engagement outcomes and identify improvements.

Skills

Senior engagement

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Community engagement

Job description

Senior Engagement Advisor - 2x fixed term; 1x permanent positions!

Are you an experienced engagement professional who thrives on connecting communities with complex projects? Do you know how to build trust, navigate diverse stakeholder environments, and help decision makers understand what matters most to communities?

We're looking for three Senior Engagement Advisors to join our team and play a key role in delivering engagement across some of Pōneke’s most significant projects. Two of the positions are fixed term; one to 25 th February 2028 to cover parental leave and the other to 12 th May 2028 to cover an internal secondment. The third position is a permanent vacancy. Please highlight in your cover letter which role(s) you are interested in.

If you’re a current kaimahi in central government, we are supportive of you applying for the fixed term opportunities as a secondment from your current agency.

Reporting into Mandy Bohte, Manager Community Engagement, you will be well supported to come in and take charge of the key work, while also being well supported as needed. Mandy describes her leadership style as one that will offer clear, transparent communication and is all about collaboration. You will be respected for the expertise you bring and encouraged to share your knowledge with the wider team to uplift capability.

Āu ake mahi | What you'll do

As a Senior Engagement Advisor, you will work alongside project teams, senior leaders, ngā mātāwaka , community groups, elected members, and stakeholders to ensure Wellingtonians have a genuine voice in the decisions that impact their city.

While each day will look different for you, key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering engagement strategies for projects
• Delivering digital and face-to-face engagement activities, gathering community feedback, and bringing community and stakeholder perspectives into Council decision-making.
• Designing engagement activities that are inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive
• Building trusted relationships with advisory groups, stakeholders, communities and partners.
• Monitoring engagement outcomes and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement

Ngā tohu me ngā wheako | Qualifications and experience

We're looking for a confident, relationship-focused professional who can influence at all levels and bring people together around complex issues – if you’re someone who is passionate about working with the Pōneke community for greater outcomes, we want to hear from you!

You'll ideally have:

• Experience leading engagement for complex, projects, plans and strategic priorities at a senior level
• Experience engaging with community groups both face-to-face and digitally
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to navigate competing perspectives
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Working for the Council offers you a range of benefits including 5 weeks annual leave, flexible working options, health and wellbeing support, Council staff discounts and a range of learning and development programmes and opportunities.

We want your application to enable you to portray the real you. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the advert through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We welcome applications from all people and like our workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve.

Accessibility Support:

We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: [e-mail]

Applications close Tuesday 3 November. All applications must be submitted online and must have the right to work in New Zealand – we will not accept emailed applications.

All employees must undergo a Criminal Conviction Check, the results of which will be held on your employee file if employed

Location(s): Wellington CBD, Wellington suburbs, All of Wellington

Expertise: Marketing and communications

Job level(s): Experienced

Work type(s): Permanent full-time, Fixed term full-time