Communications Advisor

About Waikato Waters

Waikato Waters is a newly established, publicly owned water utility that unites water and wastewater services across the Waikato region. It has been created from the ground up with a long-term focus on delivering value for communities now and in the future.

The opportunity

We are seeking a skilled Communications Advisor to help shape our story, support senior leaders and make our work easy for people to understand.

This role suits someone who writes well, enjoys juggling a diverse workload and performs strongly in a busy environment where priorities can shift quickly.

What the role involves

As six former councils come together under one organisation, strong communication is critical. Alongside building a new organisation, we are also developing a fresh brand and strengthening trust with communities, employees and stakeholders.

In this position, you will create compelling content, contribute to communication planning and offer practical guidance to leaders across the business.

Your work will span internal updates, change communications, community engagement, media support and digital content, with a focus on keeping messages clear, timely and aligned.

Key duties

• Produce engaging internal and external communications for a range of channels.
• Support leaders with communication plans, change messaging and engagement activity.
• Develop polished written, digital and visual content for different audiences.
• Help manage media enquiries, public-facing information and Official Information Act responses.
• Contribute to communication and engagement with Māori communities in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Safeguard and strengthen the Waikato Waters brand through consistent and well-crafted messaging.

What you will bring

You are an experienced communications professional who knows how to build relationships and translate complex information into plain language. You will be comfortable working with senior stakeholders, able to balance competing demands and motivated by communication that has real impact.

• Approximately 3 to 5 years of experience in communications, engagement, public affairs or a similar field.
• Excellent writing and editing capability, with the flexibility to tailor tone and style for different audiences and formats.
• Background supporting communication planning, campaigns or organisational change communications.
• Experience dealing with media and coordinating responses under the Official Information Act.
• Understanding of respectful engagement with Māori communities and culturally suitable communication approaches.
• Well-developed organisation skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred background

Experience in local government, infrastructure, utilities or the public sector would be an advantage.

Why join Waikato Waters

This is a chance to help define communications for a brand-new organisation that delivers essential services every day.

You will work on meaningful projects, collaborate with experienced leaders and help build trusted relationships with employees, communities and stakeholders as Waikato Waters grows.

Waikato Waters is being built only once, and you could be part of that journey. The work is important, the impact is visible and the team being formed is exceptional.

Benefits

• Competitive pay.
• Health insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Hybrid working options where the role permits.

How to apply

If this sounds like the right role for you, applications are being accepted until Monday, 27 July, unless the position is filled earlier. A full position description is available by contacting HR@waikatowaters.co.nz.