Head of Strategic Consultations

At Auckland Transport, we are passionate about putting our customers at the heart of everything we do in our vision to deliver "easy journeys" with safe, innovative and sustainable transport options for a vibrant, growing city.

We are looking for a dynamic Head of Strategic Consultations to join us in a fixed term capacity (4 months with a potential for extension), who will be an inspirational leader focusing on leading with empathy to create a safe space that aligns and cultivates a culture that celebrates and empowers growth.

**Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity**

The role of AT has matured beyond a delivery agency for transportation. Expectations of AT in the broader stakeholder environment have changed considerably due in part to the level and pace of development, infrastructure and housing growth. The need to work with new partners, the demand and expectations for day to day engagement has increased dramatically as customers and stakeholders seek greater involvement in decisions and understanding of the impact of transport changes.

As Head of Strategic Consultations you are responsible for the AT's consultation and engagement strategy and leading the development of policy, frameworks and tools for use across the business. Other accountabilities are, training, strategic insights and analytics of consultations and engagement activity, delivery of national and regional (note not sub-regional) and non-capital project
- consultations. Leading a team during transformational change.

A typical day might include:

- Coach and mentor the team and key internal stakeholders to ensure business objectives are met
- Guide and support the regional hubs on their engagement and partnership development needs
- Working in partnership with Community Hub team members to facilitate stakeholder engagement planning
- Works closely with the Heads of Local Community Engagement Leaders to ensure the Stakeholder Engagement Strategy is tailored for sub-regional needs and delivered effectively
- Record, track, analyse, and report on stakeholder interactions and engagement
- Provide technical and specialist advice and input into working groups, AT strategies, policies and plans, as required
- Facilitates and coordinates consultations resourcing for capital projects
- Develop and update roadmap of all consultations and engagement activity

Key to success in this role will be your ability to work well under pressure, to be resilient to the challenge and empowering your people to do. The work is challenging, varied and meaningful, and you'll be supported by a great team who are constantly learning and sharing ideas and methods. You will be engaging with key stakeholders to build momentum and gain buy in. No two days will ever be the same

**Ko koe tēnei | About you**

As a superior communicator and effective leader, you will have a growth mindset and stakeholders and peers alike respect you - and listen to you. A collaborator through and through, you are dedicated to continually improve processes and add value to achieve high quality outcomes efficiently. You will be bold, ambitious and looking for innovative ways to deliver. You will often correspond on behalf of AT, so you must be able to assess situations appropriately and communicate using a balance of facts and intuition. Your ability to use stakeholder feedback, trends and data to develop insights and driving future communications strategies is key.

Role specific experience:

- Significant experience designing, managing and evaluating public consultation, working with latest digital techniques.
- Significant experience in developing and delivering engagement and consultations strategies.
- Experience in developing and rolling out an organisation wide training programme for non-communications employees.
- Experience managing and negotiating with a range of (senior) internal and external stakeholders and working with technical teams across different work streams and disciplines.
- Ability to respond to change rapidly in time-critical situations
- Proven ability to influence for positive outcomes
- Experience of using data and insights to inform strategy and insights.
- Previous experience leading a team during transformational change
- A proven track record leading a high performing team, 'inspiring and developing' the people you manage
- Ability to make complex language accessible and understandable to a broad range of people
- Understanding of the political environment
- Is aware of requirements of Treaty of Waitangi and applies as required

**Ko wai mātou | About us**

In addition, we also offer:

- A chance to work on diverse projects
- Investment in your professional development and training
- Opportunity for greater leadership and accountability
- Paid parental and partner leave
- Study assistance
- Health and Wellbeing benefits
- Professional memberships
- Flexible working

**Check out the benefits of working at AT