Media and Communications Partnering Lead

With more than 47,000 students and over 6,000 staff, Waipapa Taumata Rau is New Zealand's leading university and a globally connected organisation dedicated to advancing understanding, transforming lives and shaping futures.

As part of our newly established Communications function, we've created the role of Media and Communications Partnering Lead (Education and Faculty) to head up a new team of embedded Media and Communications Partners. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced and people-focused communications leader, to help shape the future direction of communications at New Zealand's leading University.

Find out more about how we’re reshaping how we engage with our internal and external audiences across our Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Engagement functions Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Engagement

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Communications, you’ll lead a team of five trusted Media and Communications Partners. Together you’ll create a new partnering model to deliver high-quality strategic advice and communications support for the University’s faculties (Law, Business & Economics, Arts & Education, Science, Engineering & Design and Medical and Health Sciences).

As a trusted advisor to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and the Education Office, you’ll support strategic communications planning and delivery, stakeholder engagement and reputation-sensitive activity relating to the University’s education portfolio.

With a strong media focus, your team will proactively tell the University’s most compelling stories, shaping reputation and contributing to our social licence. We want to talk about not only what the University is good at, but what it’s good for.

Key areas of focus:

• Lead, coach and develop a team of communications professionals, imbedding a future-focussed partnering model built on expertise and collaboration.

• Provide strategic communications counsel and reputation management expertise to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education, Education Office and other senior leaders.

• Oversee communications planning, messaging, and delivery, helping identify the audiences that matter most, the channels to reach them and the stories that will resonate.

• Support communications responses during emerging issues and crisis situations.

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity. The full salary range for this role is $114,400 - $169,800 per annum.

We have a structured salary framework with three zones for those developing into the role (developing), fully effective (target) and contributing beyond what is expected of the role (upper). Appointments are typically made within the target range of $122,501 – $155,000 per annum, depending on skills, experience, and internal equity. We welcome conversations about your expectations and what matters to you in your overall package. Any offer will be made within the advertised range and guided by fairness, consistency, and our commitment to pay equity.

For more detailed information about the role and requirements, please refer to the position description

He kōrero mōu | About you

We're particularly interested in people who bring:

• Significant experience in strategic communications, media relations, communications business partnering or public relations within a large and complex organisation.

• Proven people leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, performance development and leading teams through change.

• Experience managing reputationally sensitive communications issues and supporting organisational priorities in dynamic environments.

• Sound understanding of New Zealand’s changing media landscape and the impacts of AI on how audiences are engaging with content.

• Cultural competency and experience in shaping communications for diverse audiences, with a strong understanding of Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of an organisation.

• Excellent planning, prioritisation and problem-solving abilities.

• Confidence operating in ambiguity and balancing strategic oversight with hands-on support when required.

• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, inclusion and culturally responsive practice.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

Our scale creates opportunities that few organisations can offer. From research and innovation to education, reputation and community engagement, you'll work across a diverse range of communications challenges while contributing to initiatives that have real and lasting impact for staff, students, our communities and the world.

Beyond the work itself, you'll be joining a vibrant and inclusive community.

We also offer:

• A commitment to work/life balance with a 37.5 hour working week, flexible hours and hybrid/remote working patterns

• A competitive remuneration package with up to 6.75% super, annual salary increase with performance-based multiplier

• Time to recharge and disconnect with 5 weeks' annual leave and additional leave buy/sell scheme,

• Support for parents and carers with subsidised on-site childcare (including Kōhanga Reo), gender-neutral parental leave up to 9 weeks’ full pay, on-site parenting and feeding spaces

• A commitment to the wellbeing of our people with confidential access to a range of EAP services, including mental health counselling, financial guidance, neurodiversity coaching and rongoā services, a world-class on-site fitness centre, access to student specialists across our supervised training clinics, discounted health insurance.

• The opportunity to grow with access to an extensive programme of professional, leadership and cultural development, including digital capability coaching, specialised leadership development programmes, and Te Ao and Te Reo Māori learning programmes for staff

• The opportunity to build your career with one of New Zealand's most diverse and complex organisations

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit an application online by the closing date of 1 October 2026. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting your interest in the role, your capabilities and relevant experience.

Please reach out to Verity Collins verity.collins@auckland.ac.nz with any questions.

Reasonable accommodations - We are committed to building a more equitable and inclusive workforce and workplace, so we encourage applicants to reach out to discuss any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process, including alternative ways to submit applications.

Whānau and support people - Should you be invited to an interview for this role, your whānau members and/or support people will be welcome to join you. The recruiter or hiring manager will provide more information about this as part of the interview arrangements.

Additional Information

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpu* iMVPFAFF*+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go towww.equity.auckland.ac.nz