Senior Advisor, Communications and Engagement

Make a difference to our region and to New Zealanders
- Have a role in transport infrastructure and safety projects in the South Island
- Flexible working options
- Location: Christchurch

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity An exciting opportunity for two people to join the team delivering best-practice strategic engagement and communications for transport projects in the South Island. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment on complex, inter-linked projects or programmes of work that can be technical and ambiguous; you have experience in government, as well as developing and managing communications across a range of channels to tell one transport story; and are quick to identify risks and manage engagement across Waka Kotahi and our external partners/stakeholders, then we need you. You'll offer advice and provide communications and engagement planning and delivery to ensure Waka Kotahi is well supported to achieve its goals. You will help connect people with Waka Kotahi and champion our reputation through best practice engagement and communications. Dealing with external and internal parties across the business, you will have strong stakeholder engagement and relationship development skills. You will be innovative and creative, a self-starter and be able to manage ambiguity. Ko koe tēnei | About you We are looking for great storytellers with a strong understanding of communications channels and a love of building relationships. You will be quick to identify opportunities and risks, have the ability to produce high quality targeted collateral, develop plans to make the most of opportunities and deliver best practice communications and engagement programmes. Our approach supports strong partnerships to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. You will also have:

- Previous experience in strategic communications and engagement planning and delivery
- Experience in or exposure to an account/relationship management environment
- Excellent writing and editing skills and experience presenting complex information clearly and simply
- Sound knowledge of communications and engagement tools, techniques and channels
- Other specialist communications and engagement skills i.e. internal communications, event management, marketing communications, stakeholder engagement, change communications
- Proven ability to build relationships with people at all levels
- Previous exposure to successfully working in a collaborative/matrix environment
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning in the field of engagement and communications
- A tertiary qualification in communications or a related discipline
- Previous knowledge of infrastructure projects is desirable
- Training or qualification in IAP2 is desirable

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector. Ko wai mātou | About us At Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, it all starts with our people. The organisation's performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for Aotearoa. Waka Kotahi has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time. Te Waka Kōtuia our Engagement and Partnerships group supports the success of Waka Kotahi by strengthening relationships with our central and local government partners, communities and industry. We do this by telling great stories about the work Waka Kotahi does. Our diverse work spans a range of partners and stakeholders - we support Ministers, coordinate collaboration across central government, lead relationships with our local government partners, and engage directly with the New Zealand public. Along with our other benefits we also have new Waka Kotahi Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance scheme available for permanent employees. View position description

**Rā Katinga | Applications close**: Midnight Sunday 2nd April

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.