Internal Communications 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 Internal Communications Lead to help transform the way we engage with our staff, building connection and belonging.

Find out more about the ways we are transforming how we engage with our internal and external audiences across our Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Engagement functions.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We're looking for an experienced and inspiring Internal Communications Lead to shape how we connect, engage and communicate with our staff and students across New Zealand's leading University. This is an opportunity to make a genuine impact on organisational culture, engagement and employee experience by helping our people understand where we're heading, why it matters, and the role they play in achieving our aspirations.

Reporting to the Director of Communications, you'll lead a team of internal Communications professionals, providing strategic direction and fresh approaches to how we communicate, engage and connect with our people.

This role offers exceptional breadth and visibility across one of New Zealand's largest and most complex organisations. You'll partner with the Executive Leadership, Deans, Directors, senior leaders and other stakeholders across faculties and service divisions to shape communication outcomes that impact thousands of staff and students.

Key areas of focus:

• Develop and deliver enterprise-wide internal communications strategies and plans, supporting organisational culture, engagement and employee experience

• Keep us ahead of the game by identifying and developing the channels and media that maximise reach and effectiveness

• Help us understand and segment our audiences, develop measurement frameworks and insights to evaluate communication effectiveness and engagement

• Provide trusted advice to senior leaders and support the continuing professional development of your team

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity. The full salary range for this role is $114,400 - $164,800 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 – $150,000 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

This is a role for someone who understands that great internal communication is about more than sharing information, it's about building trust, creating connection, strengthening culture and helping people feel proud of where they work.

We're particularly interested in people who bring:

• Significant experience in internal communications within a large and complex organisation

• Experience developing and implementing internal communications strategies for diverse audiences

• Strong stakeholder engagement, relationship-building skills and the credibility to influence at a senior level

• Proven cultural competency, and understanding of Te Ao Māori principles

• A modernising, audience-centred approach

• A passion for employee engagement, culture and people experience

• Proven experience leading and developing teams

• A finger on the pulse of digital technology advances and trends in internal communications

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. From staff networks and cultural communities to social clubs, volunteering opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and campus events, there are countless ways to connect, contribute and build meaningful relationships across the University.

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