Strategic Communications Lead

Location: Auckland City Campus, Auckland, New Zealand; flexible hours and hybrid/remote working patterns are offered.

Salary: NZ$114,400–NZ$169,800 per annum; typical target range NZ$122,501–NZ$155,000 per annum.

Company

A leading New Zealand university with more than 47,000 students and over 6,000 staff, focused on education, research, innovation, and community impact.

What you will do

• Lead the Strategic Communications function and guide institutional narrative, strategic positioning, and messaging.
• Use audience data and insights to develop communications strategies that strengthen reputation, trust, and stakeholder engagement.
• Support the University's global standing and long-term strategic priorities through audience-led communications.
• Provide strategic leadership during issues, incidents, and reputationally sensitive situations.
• Partner with the Vice-Chancellor's Office and senior leadership on complex communications matters.
• Support major institutional announcements, initiatives, and change programmes.

Requirements

• Significant experience in strategic communications, corporate affairs, or reputation management.
• Experience advising senior executives and organisational leaders in complex, high-profile environments.
• Strong knowledge of audience insight, segmentation, messaging strategy, organisational narratives, and positioning frameworks.
• Proven experience managing issues, risk, and crisis communications.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, communication, and stakeholder relationship-building skills.
• Strong leadership experience, cultural competency, and understanding of Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Culture & Benefits

• 37.5-hour working week, flexible hours, and hybrid/remote working patterns.
• Remuneration package with up to 6.75% superannuation and annual salary increases with a performance-based multiplier.
• Five weeks of annual leave and an additional leave buy/sell scheme.
• Parental and carer support, including subsidised on-site childcare and gender-neutral parental leave of up to nine weeks at full pay.
• Wellbeing support including confidential EAP services, discounted health insurance, fitness facilities, and specialist health services.
• Professional, leadership, cultural, digital capability, Te Ao, and Te Reo Māori development programmes.

Hiring process

• Submit a cover letter and CV online by 1 October 2026.
• Interview invitees may include whānau members and/or support people in the interview arrangements.
• Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process.