Principal Communications Advisor

Principal Communications Advisor – 12‑month fixed term role (Central Wellington)

Reporting to the Regional Development & Commercial Services Group at MBIE. Salary: $118,390 – $143,639, plus KiwiSaver and Wellness Benefit.

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• Support the communications work programme, including significant announcements regarding regional development funding and milestones, government procurement, and the management of government office accommodation.
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• Provide strategic communication advice and support to senior leaders, subject matter experts, and project teams in a complex and high‑profile environment.
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• Develop clear strategies, messaging, and communications materials for high‑interest projects.
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• Manage reactive media, advise on risk and communications planning, and lead media and issues management.
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• Collaborate with the broader MBIE communications function and leverage expertise from a larger group of professionals.
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• Build credibility with ministers' offices, external stakeholders, and senior leaders.
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• Contribute flexibly across priorities, support colleagues, and deliver high‑quality communications advice and outputs.
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• Experience operating at principal advisor level, providing communications advice, sound judgement, and leadership in complex environments.
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• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to develop clear strategies, messaging, and communications materials.
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• Strong media and issues management experience, including managing reactive media, advising on risk, and communications planning.
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• Experience working with Ministers’ offices and a sound understanding of central government decision‑making and operating procedures.
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• Experience working as part of project teams on significant, high‑profile or complex work.
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• The ability to build strong relationships with senior leaders, subject matter experts, project teams and external stakeholders.
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• The ability to work effectively as part of a small, collaborative team, contributing flexibly across priorities and supporting colleagues to deliver high‑quality communications advice and outputs.
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• A proactive, positive approach, bringing sound judgement and discretion.
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• Salary range: $118,390 – $143,639.
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• KiwiSaver and Wellness Benefit.
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• Opportunity to work within a high‑performance team and access the larger MBIE communications network.
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