Head of Communications & Engagement

Senior strategic communications and engagement leadership role with broad organisational influence

Shape WEL's brand, reputation, stakeholder confidence and future energy narrative

Hamilton-based role supporting an essential infrastructure business across the Waikato

WEL Networks delivers safe, reliable electricity services across the Waikato and is helping shape the region's energy future. As the sector evolves, clear communication, trusted relationships, strong reputation management and credible storytelling are essential.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Communications & Engagement to lead WEL's strategic corporate communications and engagement capability. This influential role will strengthen WEL's brand, protect its reputation, and help tell the WEL story with a focus on innovation, collaboration, community and our role in the future energy landscape.

About the role

Reporting to the GM People & Performance, you will lead WEL's strategic communications and engagement approach to support WEL's business strategy, network priorities, customer outcomes, safety culture, community relationships, regulatory obligations and future energy ambitions.

You will provide trusted, timely and practical advice to the Chief Executive and senior leaders, while supporting proactive issues management, media engagement, internal communications, stakeholder relationships, outage and emergency communications, and commercially sensitive or reputationally significant matters.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading WEL's strategic corporate communications and engagement approach.

Developing and promoting WEL's brand in line with "Leading Waikato's Energy Future".

Creating and telling the WEL story, with a focus on innovation, collaboration, community and the future energy landscape.

Protecting and strengthening WEL's reputation through proactive issues, media and stakeholder management.

Advising the Chief Executive and senior leaders on clear, consistent and credible messaging.

Supporting communications for operational, safety, emergency response, regulatory, customer, community and commercially sensitive matters.

Building trusted relationships across WEL and with customers, communities, iwi, regulators, media, local authorities and industry partners.

Leading a capable, service-focused communications function.

About you

You will be a credible strategic communications leader with strong judgement, relationship management skills and confidence, experienced in a safety-critical, customer-focused and publicly visible environment. You can translate complex, technical or sensitive information into clear, accessible messages and provide practical advice that supports reputation, trust and business outcomes.

We are looking for someone with:

Significant senior communications, engagement, media and reputation management experience.

Experience developing strategic communication frameworks, engagement plans, internal communications, media responses and executive messaging.

Proven ability to advise chief executives, executive teams, Boards, or senior operational leaders.

Strong judgement in issues, crisis, emergency response or reputation-sensitive communications.

Highly developed stakeholder relationship skills across senior leaders, employees, customers, communities, media, iwi, regulators, local authorities and partners.

A relevant tertiary qualification, or comparable experience.

Experience in electricity distribution, utilities, infrastructure, energy or another regulated, safety-critical environment would be advantageous.

Why join WEL?

At WEL, you will help keep the Waikato connected by leading communications that support the delivery of a trusted essential service alongside delivering innovation, community confidence, sector transformation and the future of energy.

Further information about the role and key requirements is available in the position description.

If you are a strategic communications leader with sound judgement, calm influence and a commitment to clear, credible engagement, we would love to hear from you.