Principal Communications Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Lead proactive, high quality communications and engagement across a diverse portfolio
• Provide trusted advice to senior leaders and influence outcomes that matter for Aotearoa
• Permanent full-time position based in our central Wellington offices
• Salary range: $118,390 - $143,639 + KiwiSaver + Wellbeing Benefits

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

As a Principal Communications Advisor, you will provide high level strategic communications advice and services to a designated MBIE Business Group. You’ll work closely with the Deputy Chief Executive, senior leaders and subject matter experts to ensure communications and engagement activity is aligned, effective and well executed.

This is a senior role requiring strong leadership, sound judgement and the ability to quickly build credibility across your client group. You will act as a practice leader for other Communications staff working within the same portfolio, helping build capability and ensuring consistency across our mahi.

You’ll bring a deep understanding of your client’s priorities, while maintaining strong linkages back into the Communications Branch to support seamless, coordinated service delivery. The role is varied, strategic and influential—an opportunity to shape how MBIE engages internally and externally and to support impactful outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

To be successful in these roles, you need to be able to:

• Extensive experience in strategic communications, including developing strategies, providing senior level advice, and delivering high quality written, media, internal and external communications. 
• A proven track record managing significant and complex issues, with confidence providing trusted advice to senior leaders, Ministers, officials and stakeholders. 
• Strong capability in engagement, digital and marketing tools, and the ability to recommend and implement effective engagement solutions. 
• Experience monitoring and evaluating communications products to ensure quality, consistency and accessibility of messages. 
• Deep understanding of government decision making and operating environments, with awareness of the political landscape and whole of government communications expectations. 
• Ability to work closely with policy and operational teams, ensuring customer and stakeholder perspectives are reflected in communications and engagement activity. 
• Well developed leadership and mentoring skills, including coaching and supporting other Communications staff. 
• Highly effective relationship management skills, able to build trust and influence across all levels of the organisation and with external stakeholders. 
• Excellent judgement and the ability to think on your feet, including navigating sensitive or high profile matters. 
• A tertiary qualification in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field, and/or extensive relevant experience.

Ideally you would also have more than five years’ experience in creating and delivering internal and/or external communications strategies and supporting material.

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view a position description.

All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Email Marie Manley at marie.manley3@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19136 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 1st April 2026, at 11:59pm