Executive Communications Adviser

Company Description

Job Description

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're boosting our strategic communications capabilities to help shape and enhance the reputation of the University in the eyes of its most important audiences.   

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 exceptional writer and communicator to join the University of Auckland's Communications team as Executive Communications Adviser. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the University's leadership environment, partnering closely with the Vice-Chancellor and other senior leaders to deliver high-quality communications that support strategic priorities, elevate reputation, and engage audiences across Aotearoa and beyond. 

This is a position perfect for an outstanding writer who thrives in complex, high-profile environments and is skilled at crafting messages that make an impact. 

Key areas of focus:  

• Development and delivery of executive communications for the Vice-Chancellor and senior leadership team.  

• Drafting speeches, messages, briefings, statements, talking points, presentations, and other high-profile communications.  

• Working directly with senior leaders to shape messaging, tone, and communication approaches.  

• Supporting executive communications during issues, incidents, and crisis situations.  

• Helping ensure executive messaging is aligned with the University's strategic priorities, institutional narrative, and reputation objectives.  

• Building trusted relationships with senior leaders and subject matter experts across the University.  

• Managing a dynamic workload that balances planned communications with emerging priorities and time-sensitive requests. 

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity. The full salary range for this role is $87,000 - $118,000 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 $93,201 – $107,500 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 

kōrero mōu | About you  

You'll be a highly capable communications professional with the confidence, judgement, and credibility to work alongside senior leaders in a complex environment. You'll be an exceptional writer who can quickly understand context, distil complexity, and develop compelling communications that resonate with diverse audiences. 

We're particularly interested in people who bring:  

• Proven experience delivering executive, corporate, strategic, or senior leadership communications within a large and complex organisation.  

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt style, tone, and messaging for different stakeholders, audiences and situations.  

• Demonstrated experience drafting speeches, leadership messages and other executive communications.  

• Strong judgement and political awareness, with the ability to navigate sensitive, confidential, and high-risk issues with professionalism and discretion.  

• 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 management skills, including the ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders, subject matter experts, and key partners.  

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.    

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.  

Qualifications

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, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz