Principal Advisor

_Lead communication and engagement activities with key stakeholders and communities_
- _Play a key role in the successful delive_ry o_f high profile, strategic infrastructure projects_
- _Based in Auckland_

**Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity'**'

An exciting opportunity to be part of delivering best-practice strategic engagement and communications for transport infrastructure programmes, projects and operations across the Auckland and Northland regions.

You will join a highly experienced, award-winning regional engagement team working to develop and deliver our transport work with local government, stakeholders, iwi and communities, ensuring people in your region can engage in the development, construction and operations of our projects, and our customers are well-informed about impacts to any travel plans.

Key priorities for the team include leading on the delivery of engagement for the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme and large public transport and operational improvements projects, and customer journey communications.

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment on complex, inter-linked projects or programmes of work that require you to develop great, lasting relationships with a wide range of groups; if you have experience in the machinery of government; developing great narratives across a range of modern media and digital channels; and identifying and managing risks, then we would love to hear from you

This is a high influence role where you will be required to front up and work in at senior levels with regional managers, project managers, transport planners and other key technical and legal roles to drive the development of best practice project comms, engagement and consultation strategies, and take a seat at the project leadership table. Within our group, you'll be comfortable leading and mentoring others working in your wider communications and engagement team and supplier teams, pulling multiple workstreams together and juggling priorities.

As a senior member of the team, you'll also support your Regional Manager to link your project into wider regional initiatives, relationships and opportunities, managing risks and fostering cross-team and cross agency/council story-telling about the future of transport.

We are looking for a technically strong and experienced communications and engagement practitioner, who is excited about making a real difference in the lives of people living in our region. We offer training and development including technical upskilling and tailored engagement courses.

You will find out more about the role here Position Description

**Ko koe tenei | About you'**'
- Experience at Senior Advisor or Principal level, preferably in the transport, utility or wider infrastructure, local government and safety sectors
- A flexible, can-do attitude with the drive to deliver
- Demonstrable experience in complex project communications and engagement planning and delivery, working as part of a team and across a large organisation
- Proven relationship building experience e.g. leading, influencing and building credibility across a range of stakeholders, senior managers and their teams
- Excellent writing and editing skills and experience presenting complex information
- Sound knowledge of a wide range of communication and engagement tools, techniques and channels
- Knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Ao Maori, te reo Maori and te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector
- A tertiary qualification in communications, IAP2, CIMS or a related discipline
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning in the field of engagement and communications

**Mo matou | About Us**

The purpose of our group is to navigate the journey of NZTA Waka Kotahi to uphold trust and confidence by:

- Building strong relationships.
- Telling great stories to achieve change.
- Managing our reputation.

**Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return**
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Along with our other'benefits'we also have 5 weeks annual leave and an Income Protection and Critical illness Insurance scheme available for all permanent employees.'

'**Me pehea te tuku tono**|** How to apply**:'

**Ra** Katinga**| Applications close:' Tuesday 27 May 2025.**

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

NZTA| 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.