Communications Manager

About the Organisation

In partnership with Water New Zealand, this role offers the chance to join a respected membership organisation that supports leadership, learning, and sector-wide collaboration across the water industry in Aotearoa New Zealand. The organisation is focused on strengthening professional capability and promoting the sustainable management and development of the water environment.

Water New Zealand is a growing national body representing water management professionals and organisations. Its guiding purpose is captured in the whakataukī: “Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ngā tāngata” — when water is healthy, land and people are healthy too.

About the Role

The Communications Manager will lead and shape the organisation’s communications function. Sitting on the senior leadership team, this person will contribute to strategic planning while also overseeing the delivery of day-to-day communications activity. The role includes ownership of the annual communication plan, leadership of media strategy and monitoring, and oversight of key publications such as Water Journal.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute to strategic discussions at leadership level and help influence the annual operating plan.
• Design and implement the communications strategy.
• Manage media activity, including both proactive and reactive engagement, along with ongoing monitoring.
• Coordinate communication outputs across the organisation, spanning items such as the Annual Review through to podcasts.
• Partner with the CEO to strengthen and represent Water New Zealand’s voice across the wider sector.

About You

You will be a seasoned communications professional who is comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels. You should be capable of advising senior stakeholders on complex, technical, or uncertain matters while also delivering practical communications and media work yourself.

The organisation is looking for someone with at least seven years’ experience in journalism or in corporate/public sector communications, together with a tertiary qualification. Experience in water or infrastructure would be an added advantage.

Ideal Experience and Strengths

• Proven ability to operate across strategic and tactical communications work, including different publication formats and channels.
• Experience handling both proactive and reactive media relations.
• Confidence in offering clear, practical advice to senior leaders on challenging issues.
• Strong multitasking skills and the ability to manage several priorities at once.
• Excellent idea development and writing capability.
• Ability to build constructive relationships with people at all levels across the sector.

What’s on Offer

• Four weeks of annual leave, plus an additional four days over the festive season.
• Opportunities to attend industry events and conferences to expand your network and knowledge.
• A people-focused leadership style within a values-led environment where your contribution is genuinely appreciated.
• A collaborative and positive team culture, with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the water sector across Aotearoa.

Work Location

This position is based in the central Wellington office.

Application Information

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and CV by Sunday 5 July. If you have questions or would like a copy of the job description, you may contact John Keith or Katie Kemp at the details provided in the source listing.