Senior Communications Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Two permanent full-time senior communications advisors
• Two six-month fixed-term senior communications advisors
• Based in our central Wellington offices
• Salary range: $101,911 - $121,196 + KiwiSaver

Tēnei tūranga - About the Roles:

We are looking for two permanent senior communications advisor and two-month fixed-term senior communications advisors to support a range of portfolios and functions at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). We are looking for experienced and adaptable communications practitioners who are keen to get stuck in and add value. We need people who are adept at turning technical information into something beautiful, and for the external communications roles, experience working with ministers’ offices is an asset. As they say, no day is ever the same! If this sounds like you, let us know in your cover letter if you have a preference for a particular area. It’s also okay to be up for any challenge!

Permanent roles

Labour, Science and Enterprise (LSE) Group – 1x senior communications advisor

In this role you will predominantly support our external communications mahi in tourism and economic growth, supporting ministerial announcements and other communications needs in those areas, but also helping across the rest of our Labour, Science and Enterprise communications team as required. Our team of talented and top-notch communications professionals is very collaborative and supportive, fleet-footed and expert at working in a fast-paced environment. We deliver communications support for a wide range of high profile and cutting-edge ministerial portfolios which are key to New Zealand’s economic growth - from Immigration policy, Workplace Relations and Safety policy to Space and Science, Innovation and Technology. The work is never dull and our people are great to work with.

Internal and Corporate Communications – 1x senior communications advisor

This role will support the delivery of internal and corporate communications across the whole organisation.  The work you will be doing is key to the successful operation of MBIE, and to ensuring our people are supported and well-informed.  In this role you will be part of pool of Senior Advisors and Advisor across the whole enterprise no day will be the same and you will get to understand the whole and work with all parts of MBIE.

In this role you will be people-centred, innovative, and have a proactive approach wanting to deliver best practice communication solutions.  The work is interesting, meaningful and rewarding.  You will work with smart and dedicated professionals in a people-focused environment, making a real difference to the lives of New Zealanders and to the future of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Fixed-term roles

Building, Resources and Markets (BRM) Group – 1x senior advisor (six-months fixed-term)

This role will mainly partner with the Commerce and Consumer Affairs policy teams, who provide policy and regulatory advice to support consumers and businesses to interact with confidence, to ensure our markets are working well, and to support businesses to succeed and contribute to the wellbeing of New Zealand. Some of the key work programmes this role will support include promoting competition in markets such as grocery and banking, reforms to New Zealand’s company law, and work to help protect Kiwis from online financial scams.  

While this role will primarily support Commerce and Consumer Affairs policy, we are a nimble and adaptable little team, who readily lend our skills and talents to lead other work, wherever the communications need is greatest. In this role you will have the opportunity to support other areas of the BRM Group, including New Zealand’s building system, Energy Markets, as well as Small Business and Manufacturing portfolios.

Surge – 1x senior advisor (six-months fixed-term)

This role will support across the six communications teams in MBIE and will be assigned into individual teams for significant periods (e.g. two weeks or longer) to support during peak times. The first three months of this fixed-term contract will be spent in the Regional Development & Commercial Services (RDCS) group, to backfill an internal secondment. RDCS brings together the management of significant regional investments and commercial activity, in the government procurement and government property space, as a centre of commercial expertise for MBIE. Our communications work programme includes supporting significant announcements regarding regional development funding and milestones, government procurement and the management of government office accommodation, all of which contribute to strong regional and national economies and thriving communities.

The successful candidate will be an adaptable, experienced communications professional who thrives on variety and getting up to speed in new areas quickly. You’ll be supported in this role with clearly defined tasks and great colleagues.

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

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

• think on your feet, work under pressure and multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• write well, develop, design and deliver comprehensive communications strategies
• help manage our media relationships and have a sound understanding of the media landscape
• build strong working relationships with senior managers, ministers’ offices and subject matter experts
• use your knowledge about central Government decision-making and operating procedures
• demonstrate a proactive, positive approach, bringing great ideas to the table, with sound judgement and discretion
• use your deep experience in issues and risk management, proactive engagement and communications planning.

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 Roxani Rahn at roxani.rahn2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/16888 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Sunday, 23 March.