Communications Manager

Northland Waters | Contract/Hybrid Role | August 2026 Start Northland Waters is building something new for Te Tai Tokerau - a future-focused organisation designed to deliver better water outcomes for our communities, our environment and our region. As we move through the establishment phase, we’re bringing together talented people who thrive in complexity, pace and purpose. We are now seeking a Communications Manager to join our Customer and Stakeholder Engagement workstream and help shape the programme’s communications backbone. This is a hybrid role with anchor days in Whangārei. Why this role matters Our establishment programme spans eight interconnected workstreams, each carrying critical deliverables, dependencies and decisions. Clear, consistent and timely communication is essential to keeping the programme aligned, confident and moving. This role ensures that alignment holds. Reporting to the Customer and Stakeholder Engagement Workstream Lead, you will be the person who connects messaging across the programme, supports change and stakeholder engagement activity, and ensures communications are accurate, coordinated and fit for purpose across internal and external audiences. What you’ll be responsible for: Planning, coordinating and delivering communications and engagement activity across the programme. Preparing clear, high-quality content for staff, stakeholders, media and governance audiences. Supporting change communications, stakeholder updates and media response management. Identifying communications risks, issues and dependencies and supporting coordinated responses. Ensuring messaging is accurate, aligned and consistent across workstreams and the three councils. Providing inputs for governance reporting and programme updates. Working closely with workstream leads, Transition Managers, contracted agencies and council communications teams. What you’ll bring Senior communications, engagement or change experience, ideally in a local government environment. Strong writing, editing and messaging capability. Experience supporting media management and stakeholder communications. Ability to work across multiple teams, agencies and governance groups. Confidence managing sensitive, high-volume or ambiguous information. Good judgement, attention to detail and a collaborative approach. Comfort working at pace in a dynamic establishment environment. Contract term August 2026 - June 2027 (6-month initial term, reviewed at 6 months; extension possible). Applications for this role close at midday on Monday 3 August. #J-18808-Ljbffr