Team Lead Media

Tiaki Wai; Lower Hutt; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working up to 2 days fromHome

Wellbeing programme

Professional development opportunities

5 weeks annual leave after 2 years

Job summary

Tiaki Wai is seeking a senior communications leader to head a team responding to a high-volume media inbox, oversee issues and crisis management, and drive proactive storytelling for the region's water services provider.

Reporting to the Head of Communications and Engagement, you will lead media engagement, manage reputational risk, and collaborate with council media teams across Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington.

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification and substantial experience in communications, media, journalism or a related field.
• First-hand journalism experience and understanding of news production or public affairs.
• Experience leading media engagement, reputation management and crisis communications.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication with ability to translate complex information.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver Tiaki Wai's media strategy and effective media engagement across the region.
• Identify and manage emerging issues and reputational risks, providing strategic advice and leading responses during critical events.
• Build positive relationships with media teams at councils across the region.

Skills

Journalism experience

Media engagement

Crisis communications

Leadership

Strategic communications

Education

Relevant qualification in communications/media

Job description

• Join us in a new leadership role
• Lead high profile media engagement
• Petone based

This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week

The opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Communications and Engagement, you will lead a team working on-call to respond to a busy media inbox, oversee issues management, crisis communications, and drive proactive storytelling to help build the reputation of Tiaki Wai as the region’s professional water services provider, delivering safe and dependable water services for customers and communities.

Your key responsibilities will also include:

• Lead and deliver Tiaki Wai's media strategy and effective media engagement across the region
• Identify and manage emerging issues and reputational risks, providing strategic advice and leading communications responses during critical events
• Build positive, collaborative relationships with media teams at councils across the region

About you

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• A relevant qualification and substantial experience in communications, media, journalism or a related field
• First-hand journalism experience, and a deep understanding of news production or public affairs through previous media industry experience
• Experience leading media engagement, reputation management and crisis communications, with confidence managing complex and sensitive issuesExceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical, operational and strategic information into clear, compelling messaging
• A strong collaborative leadership style, with a proven ability to coach, mentor and develop high-performing teams

Benefits

At Tiaki Wai, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

Our benefits include:

• Flexible working arrangements including up to 2 days working from home
• Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually
• Formal and informal professional development opportunities
• 5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service

For a full list of our employee benefits click here.

About us

Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation responsible for managing the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington.

We manage public-owned extensive water infrastructure and oversee the delivery of safe and reliable services for our communities. We focus on long-term investment, asset management, maintenance, and delivering major infrastructure projects that support public health, environmental protection, and regional growth.

Water is a precious taonga. At Tiaki Wai, we put care into every drop and are guided by our values of Integrity, Care, and Leadership. We work directly with water consumers and in partnership with councils and mana whenua to deliver better water outcomes for current and future generations.

Applications close: Wednesday 14 October 2026.

Applicants for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand or eligible to obtain a working visa.