Community Engagement Partner

About the company culture

Vector describes its workplace as a place where progress is powered by connection, collaboration, inclusion, innovation, and creativity. The organisation aims to shape Auckland’s energy future while making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.

Diversity and inclusion are central to how the company works. Team members are encouraged to show up as themselves and contribute ideas that challenge the norm and support positive change. Vector also places strong value on community connection, customer outcomes, and helping create a cleaner energy future.

The company highlights its staff-led networks and cultural celebrations, including Matariki, Lunar New Year, Diwali, and Eid.

Role overview

Internally, this position is referred to as a Community Engagement Partner (CEP). Externally, it sits within community operations as a trusted link between Vector, its customers, and the wider community. The role brings together community, customer, and operational work, with a focus on building trust, handling sensitive matters, and ensuring community perspectives are reflected in decision-making.

Every day can look different. You may help customers affected by planned maintenance or outages, facilitate community conversations, support a local event, respond to complex concerns, or work alongside internal teams to improve customer and community outcomes.

The role calls for sound judgement, empathy, and a practical approach to solving problems. Working with the Community Engagement Manager and other teams, you will support engagement initiatives, surface emerging risks and opportunities, share community insight, and help deliver better outcomes for both customers and the community.

You will also contribute during storms, outages, and other critical events, helping ensure responses remain timely, coordinated, and focused on customers when pressure is high.

Key responsibilities

• Act as a dependable point of connection between Vector, customers, and community groups.
• Support customers and communities affected by planned works, outages, storm events, and other operational disruptions.
• Help facilitate community discussions, events, and engagement activities.
• Handle complex, sensitive, or escalated issues with tact and care.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with customers, iwi, stakeholders, and community organisations.
• Work with internal teams to identify risks, opportunities, and actions that improve engagement and customer experience.
• Contribute community insight that helps shape operational and customer decisions.
• Maintain accurate records, commitments, and follow-up actions.
• Provide support during emergency or high-pressure situations, including storm response activities.

What you need

• Background in customer service, stakeholder engagement, community engagement, complaints handling, or another relationship-focused role.
• Proven ability to build trust with customers, community groups, iwi, and stakeholders.
• Strong mediation, conflict resolution, and negotiation capability.
• Comfort handling complaints, escalations, and delicate conversations.
• Clear communication skills with the flexibility to adapt for different audiences and situations.
• Resilience, good judgement, and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in changing environments.
• Strong administration and organisation skills, including record keeping and follow-through.
• Commercial and operational awareness, with the ability to weigh customer needs against business priorities.
• Genuine motivation to help people and improve customer outcomes.
• Experience in utilities, infrastructure, telecommunications, transport, local government, or similarly complex operational environments is an advantage.
• This role includes occasional evening and weekend work to support community engagement and storm response.

Why Vector

Vector says it offers a strong benefits package designed to support wellbeing, future security, and personal and professional growth. The company also supports career development through internal opportunities, tailored growth plans, and investment in learning.

It is also focused on innovation and collaboration, working with leading organisations around the world to develop and adopt new technologies.

Application notes

Applications close on Tuesday 4 August. Interviews may take place before the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.

Vector also notes that applicants do not need to meet every requirement to apply. People from all backgrounds, experiences, identities, and abilities are encouraged to consider the role.

Additional information

Vector reiterates that candidates should not be discouraged if they do not meet every single requirement. If the role is appealing, the company encourages an application because skills, enthusiasm, and a unique perspective may still be a strong match.

The company confirms its commitment to diversity in all its forms and welcomes people of all backgrounds, experiences, identities, and abilities.