Stakeholder Engagement Advisor

Hamilton City Council; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

IAWAI – Flowing Waters is seeking experienced Stakeholder Engagement Advisors to shape engagement for a major water infrastructure programme across Hamilton and Waikato district. You will turn technical information into clear messages, connect with residents, iwi and mana whenua, and help ensure insights inform planning and decision-making.

You’ll work with the Aronui Māori team to ensure culturally informed engagement, adapting across multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and supporting

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years' experience in stakeholder engagement, community relations or communications.
• Experience delivering engagement programmes for complex infrastructure or public sector projects.
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication, able to simplify technical information.
• Experience planning community engagement activities and events.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Sound judgement managing sensitive stakeholder issues.
• Collaborative, team-focused approach across functions.
• Experience in water, infrastructure, local government, or regulated environments.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and iwi/mana whenua relationships.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver stakeholder and community engagement across major water infrastructure projects.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with community groups, residents, elected members and partners.
• Support community events, drop-ins, stakeholder meetings, letter drops and digital engagement.
• Translate complex technical information for diverse audiences.
• Gather, analyse and report stakeholder feedback to support decision-making.
• Contribute to engagement plans, briefings, reports and updates.
• Identify and escalate sensitive or politically complex stakeholder issues.
• Collaborate with Communications, Engagement and Māori Partnership teams to deliver coordinated outcomes.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Community relations

Public communications

Infrastructure project experience

Relationship building

Clear written/verbal communication

Event planning

Organisational skills

Te Tiriti o Waitangi knowledge

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in communications/public relations/stakeholder engagement

Job description

Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils have formed a publicly owned, Council-controlled Organisation (CCO) to deliver water services across Hamilton city and Waikato district. The company is called IAWAI - Flowing Waters and will take over the provision of water services from 1 July 2026. This transition will occur in stages such as the current Watercare contract for Waikato District Council transferring to the CCO on 1 July 2026.

Job Description

Help shape meaningful engagement for IAWAI’s major water infrastructure programme.

At IAWAI, we know water is essential to the wellbeing of our communities and our environment. As we invest in the future of water, wastewater and stormwater services, we are looking for experienced Stakeholder Engagement Advisors who can build trusted relationships, connect people with complex infrastructure projects, and help ensure communities and stakeholders are informed, heard and involved.

This is an opportunity to contribute to work that matters - supporting engagement across a diverse programme of infrastructure projects that will help provide safe, reliable and resilient services for the people and places we serve.

About the Role

Reporting to the Project Communications and Engagement Manager and working alongside a talented team of communications and engagement professionals, you’ll support the planning and delivery of stakeholder and community engagement across IAWAI’s infrastructure programme.

You’ll be a key connection point between project teams and the communities we serve - turning technical information into clear, accessible messages and ensuring community and stakeholder insights are considered in project planning and decision-making.

To be successful, you’ll be adaptable, collaborative and comfortable working across multiple projects in a fast-moving environment. You’ll engage with a wide range of people, including residents, community groups, businesses, elected members, council partners, mana whenua representatives and delivery teams.

Working closely with our Aronui Māori team, you’ll help ensure engagement is well coordinated, culturally informed and aligned with IAWAI’s commitment to partnership, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and caring for wai as taonga.

What You'll Be Doing

• Planning and delivering stakeholder and community engagement activities across major water infrastructure projects.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with community groups, residents, elected members, council partners, and project teams.
• Supporting community events, drop-in sessions, stakeholder meetings, letter drops, and digital engagement activities.
• Working alongside project teams to understand complex technical information and communicate it effectively to diverse audiences.
• Gathering, analysing, and reporting stakeholder feedback and community insights to support project decision-making.
• Contributing to stakeholder engagement plans, briefings, reports, and project updates.
• Identifying and escalating sensitive, reputational, or politically complex stakeholder issues as required.
• Collaborating across IAWAI's Communications, Engagement and Māori Partnership teams to deliver consistent, coordinated outcomes.

Qualifications

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience

• 3-5+ years' experience in stakeholder engagement, community relations, communications, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience delivering engagement programmes for complex infrastructure, public sector, local government, utilities, or capital works projects.
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify technical information for non-technical audiences.
• Experience planning and delivering community engagement activities and events.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple projects.
• Sound judgement and confidence managing sensitive stakeholder issues.
• A collaborative, team-focused approach and willingness to contribute wherever needed.
• Experience within water, infrastructure, local government, or regulated environments.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and the importance of iwi and mana whenua relationships.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, stakeholder engagement, or a related field.

Why Join IAWAI?

At IAWAI, we are committed to taking our people, stakeholders, mana whenua partners, customers and communities with us as we build, renew and maintain essential water infrastructure.

We are building an organisation grounded in partnership, focused on community outcomes and guided by our purpose of caring for wai as taonga. You’ll join a supportive, values-led team and contribute to projects that make a genuine difference for the communities we serve.

He wai, he ora. Water is life.

If you're passionate about meaningful engagement, thrive in complex environments, and enjoy building trusted relationships that create positive outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Additional Information

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary?

Circa$105k dependent on skills and experience.

Applications close on the: 14 September 2026

Note: We will be shortlisting and interviewing as we receive applications. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants.