Senior Communications Advisor

Closing date:19 Jul 2026 21:00 | WorkType:Permanent full-time | Salary range: $89,868 - $121,330

We are seeking experienced, passionate people who will help take our team to the next level.

In this rewarding and challenging role, you will lead and deliver high-quality, timely communications across a range of internal and external initiatives, translating complex and technical information into clear accessible and engaging content.

The role sits within our Communications team, which leads Pharmac’s internal and external communications, media engagement, and plays a key role in helping New Zealanders understand Pharmac’s work.

You would have responsibility for providing strategic communications advice, developing key messages, and supporting effective stakeholder and media engagement. It also proactively manages communications risks and ensures messaging aligns with Pharmac’s priorities and supports public understanding, trust, and confidence.

The role would see you engaging and seeking advice from a wide range of stakeholders, including Pharmac’s Equity and Engagement Directorate, Subject Matter Experts, Pharmac’s Senior Leaders, along with Ministerial offices, media, and other stakeholders.

Your communications and media experience will be critical to delivering effective communications in complex and fast-paced environments. Your ability to communicate complex information clearly and accurately, combined with strong written, verbal and visual communication skills, will be essential to your success in this role.

You will have proven experience supporting projects through the development and implementation of communication plans, along with providing trusted advice to senior leaders, including in sensitive or high-risk situations.

Your sound judgement, media experience, and ability to identify and manage communications risks, combined with strong stakeholder and project management skills, will enable you to build trusted relationships, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality communications outcomes in a complex and fast-paced environment.

Our ideal candidate would have:

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• Demonstrated experience in a senior level communications role.
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• Excellent written, verbal and visual communications skills. This includes the ability to communicate complex technical information accurately and clearly.
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• Demonstrated experience supporting projects, including developing and implementing communication plans.
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• Proven experience providing sound communications advice to senior leaders, including in sensitive or high-risk environments.
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• Proven ability to tailor communications approaches to a range of audiences to achieve objectives.
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• Experience working with media, including developing lines and key messages and supporting responses to enquiries
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• Sound judgement and demonstrated experience in effectively identifying and managing communications risks and issues
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• Excellent understanding of the machinery of Government.
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• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, priorities, and deliverables effectively.
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• Proven ability to work in a busy environment, demonstrating resilience and confidence engaging with stakeholders at all levels.
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• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse groups
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• An understanding of equitable access to health and health outcomes for high health needs populations
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• Five weeks annual leave
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• Additional paid leave for our end of year close-down period
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• An annual $500 hauora payment for eligible kaimahi
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• Health Insurance corporate discount with Southern Cross
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• Paid Parental Leave support in addition to minimum legislative requirements.
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• Flexible working - work from home up to two days per week.
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The salary range for this position is $89,868 - $121,330. Most new starters are typically appointed up to the midpoint of the range, depending on the knowledge, skills and experience they bring to the role.