Senior Communications Advisor

• Storytelling and internal communications with real purpose
• Full time, based in Wellington central, with some national travel
• Fifth week of leave, paid wellbeing days, increased KiwiSaver contribution

Pathways and Real Internal communications and engagement – join us and help connect our people, strengthen engagement and bring our purpose to life.

Tell the stories that change what people believe is possible.
Pathways and Real walk alongside people through some of the most challenging times of their lives. We are looking for a senior communications advisor who can help our 1100 kaimahi see the difference they make every day, and who understands that a story told well can shift how someone sees their own future.

Mō mātou | About us
Pathways and Real are part of the Wise Group and we are the largest NGO provider of specialist community mental health and addiction services in Aotearoa. We were founded 36 years ago, as psychiatric hospitals closed and tāngata whai ora moved back into their communities. Real provides our youth services.

Our spirit is ahakoa te aha | whatever it takes. It guides us as we support people to live full lives, hopeful and connected to what matters to them. Achieving the best outcomes for Māori, equity, and celebrating diversity and inclusion are essential to our work.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role
Engaging our kaimahi is one of the most powerful levers we have. When kaimahi feel connected to our purpose and to each other, the people we support feel the difference. That is the heart of this role.

You will lead our internal communications and engagement, working alongside other communications professionals at Pathways and Real, with executive leaders and kaimahi across the country, and with the design and digital team at Wise Management Services.

Day to day, that looks like:

• shaping and delivering our internal communications strategy and campaigns
• finding and telling stories of growth, aspiration and recovery, always with care and consent
• building the plans, calendars and detail that keep a national organisation genuinely informed
• developing and managing our communications collateral, thought leadership and publications
• growing brand awareness and developing our social media approach helping safeguard and strengthen the reputation of Pathways and Real

Design capability and flair is a real plus, as is confidence across a wide range of technical tools.

This role is Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm, based at Salmond House, Vivian Street, Wellington, with occasional nationwide travel.

Ko wai koe | About you
We care as much about how you work as what is on your CV. You will do well here if you:

• believe in the power of storytelling, and can hold someone's story with care
• see the growth and aspiration in people who have come through trauma, mental distress or addiction
• roll your sleeves up, have a go, and finish what you start
• bring a positive, can do attitude that lifts the people around you
• plan properly and enjoy getting on top of the detail
• work easily with people at every level, from support workers to the executive team

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• at least three years in a senior communications role
• a tertiary qualification in communications or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• sound knowledge of communications and marketing principles and channels, including internal communication, brand management, digital and advertising confident with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, WordPress content management, media monitoring tools, and print, digital and social media production

Experience working with Māori, Pasifika, young people, disabled people, or people who have experienced mental health and addiction challenges matters to us, as does a good understanding of the health sector in Aotearoa.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

• increased KiwiSaver contribution
• a fifth week of annual leave after 12 months
• two paid wellbeing days a year
• a $250 annual health benefit payment card for you and your whānau
• income continuance plan
• discounts on house, contents and car insurance, Southern Cross premiums, Specsavers and more through our Perk app

The full list of benefits, including holiday programme assistance and financial planning support, is on our website.

Position description: https://www.wisegroup.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PW-Senior-Communications-Advisor-1.pdf

Questions: Anna James, Strategy and Communications Lead, anna.james@pathways.co.nz

Applications close: 18 September 2026. We may close the advert earlier if we find the right person.

For more about us, visit www.pathways.co.nz or www.real.org.nz