Director of Communications

• Lead and embed the Universitys communications strategy ensuring a cohesive institutional voice and alignment across all channels and functions. 

• Amplify a cohesive institutional voice in partnership with our Executive and senior leaders.  

• Lead internal and external communications for New Zealands largest and most comprehensive research university serving 47000 students 10000 staff generating $1.5bn.  

At Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland we invite you to light a path forward and together illuminate possibilities for others. We are seeking an experienced strategically minded Director of Communications to lead our enterprise-wide communications function through a period of significant organisational change and renewed institutional ambition. This is where your journey enriches our collective progress. Where the scale of our ambition matches the breadth of your potential. 

Waipapa Taumata Rau is Aotearoa New Zealands pre-eminent higher education institution and one of the countrys most significant and complex entities. Our work across four main campuses contributes broadly to the New Zealand and international context positively impacting society through our commitment to the advancement and exploration of knowledge. 

TeWhiwhingamahi The opportunity 

More than a role this is your chance to shape transformative work that influences futures at scale. 

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Engagement) the Director of Communications will be the Universitys most senior leader on reputation issues and crisis management executive communications and media strategy. They will illuminate our institutional voice ensuring it is confident coherent proactive and aligned with our purpose and values. The Director will build capability consistency and clarity across our diverse organisation guiding a team to deliver best practice communications services and fostering an audience and partner-centric culture. 

In this role you will: 

• Lead and embed the Universitys communications strategy ensuring a cohesive institutional voice and alignment across all channels and functions. 

• Provide authoritative strategic counsel to the Vice-Chancellor and senior leaders on communications implications reputational risk and the Universitys external profile. 

• Chart a proactive communications approach amplifying research impact elevating the Universitys public profile and breaking through national and global noise. 

• Lead crisis communications with composure clarity and sound judgement. 

• Build trusted relationships with executive and faculty leaders maintaining visibility and credibility across the University. 

• Champion culturally responsive inclusive communication ensuring alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and in strong partnership with Māori and Pacific leaders. 

• Lead the implementation of outcomes from the current operating model review supporting staff through change and establishing new systems standards and expectations. 

• Build and empower high-performing teams driving clarity excellence resilience and evidence informed decision making. 

• Hold overall accountability for the communications budget governance quality standards and resource alignment. 

• Develop and maintain a network of productive relationships with the media and the Universitys other major external stakeholders. 

Youll find the support to grow and the freedom to lead. Chart your course with institutional backing. For more detailed information please refer to the attached position description. 

Please note this is a full-time (37.5 hours/week) position with a target salary range of $216800 to $255000 depending on skills and experience. 

He kōrero mōu  About you

You have the gravitas maturity and presence to advise senior executives influence outcomes and lead meaningfully through ambiguity scrutiny and change. 

You will bring: 

• 10 years senior leadership experience in enterpriselevel strategic communications within large complex or highprofile organisations. 

• Experience leading within complex organisations ideally with exposure to embedding new operating models. 

• Experience advising and influencing senior executives and governance groups with the ability to operate confidently and calmly under pressure. 

• A track record of building and sustaining highperforming teams setting clear expectations building capability and leading with empathy transparency and resilience through transformation. 

• Exceptional relationship and stakeholder management skills with highly developed influencing skills political acumen and sound judgement in ambiguous or sensitive environments. 

• Experience in media relations public affairs government interface and external engagement particularly in publicfacing or scrutinised environments. 

• Strong financial resource and vendor management capability. 

• Commitment to equity inclusion Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive communication. 

• Experience in research-intensive public sector higher education or government related environments is advantageous but not essential. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono  How to apply 

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of Sunday 12 April to be considered. Please include your cover letter and CV highlighting how you meet the skills and experience detailed above. 

Light your path. Light our future. Light a way.

Additional Information :

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe inclusive and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori Pacific women LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF people with disabilities parenting support flexible work and other personal circumstances go to 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time