Director of Brand & Marketing, New Zealand Story

About the organisation

New Zealand Story works to strengthen Brand New Zealand overseas by protecting, promoting and lifting its reputation internationally. It does this through research, narrative development, the FernMark Licence Programme, and collaboration with partners across NZ Inc, industry sectors and exporters. The goal is to build familiarity, trust and preference for Aotearoa New Zealand in global markets.

You will be part of an organisation that helps shape how New Zealand is viewed around the world.

About the role

This position is a 12-month fixed-term leadership role based in Auckland. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will guide brand and marketing direction, influence stakeholders across NZ Inc, and oversee a high-performing marketing and communications function.

This is a major leadership opportunity for someone who understands the influence of storytelling, the discipline of brand management, and how to deliver impact through others.

What you will do

• Contribute to shaping how New Zealand presents itself internationally.
• Set and lead a focused marketing and communications strategy grounded in insight.
• Deliver coordinated storytelling that lifts Brand New Zealand on the global stage.
• Create and maintain strong partnerships across agencies and the private sector to expand influence.
• Lead improvements in digital channels and marketing technology to support future growth.
• Integrate Te Ao Māori and tikanga in a genuine and respectful way across storytelling and practice.

What success looks like

This role offers a rare chance to help steward Brand New Zealand and influence how the country is represented internationally. Success will mean stronger, more consistent storytelling, effective cross-agency alignment, and a marketing function that is modern and ready for the future.

• Brand New Zealand is strengthened and responsibly stewarded in global markets.
• Te Ātea Brand Hub operates as an effective cross-agency forum that improves alignment and collective impact internationally.
• Flagship storytelling toolkits are widely used by NZ Inc and exporters, supporting more consistent international storytelling and improving perceptions of New Zealand.
• NZ Story demonstrates its value to NZ Inc through clear evidence of strategy, collective impact and performance.
• The FernMark Licence Programme and New Zealand Story are supported by digital platforms and marketing technology that enable growth, effectiveness and long-term ambition.
• The MarComms team is led thoughtfully and maturely, producing high-quality work that advances New Zealand Story’s purpose and priorities.

About you

You are a commercially minded marketing leader who is comfortable operating at executive level and ready to take brand storytelling to the next stage.

• You have led brand, marketing or communications strategy at scale.
• You can influence stakeholders across complex systems and partnerships.
• You have a history of developing engaged, high-performing teams.
• You bring deep knowledge of brand, storytelling and positioning in international markets.
• You use data and insight confidently to inform decisions.
• You have experience leading change in digital, channel or marketing technology environments.
• You are comfortable engaging with Te Ao Māori and embedding cultural authenticity into your work.
• Experience in or close to NZ Inc would be an advantage.

Additional information

This role is based in Auckland and is a 12-month fixed-term contract. Applicants are asked to submit a CV and cover letter. Applications close at midday on 19 June 2026.

Equal opportunity statement

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is an equal opportunity employer. The organisation welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and values diversity of thought, including ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity and disability. If you need adjustments for any stage of the interview process, you can note this in your application or discuss it with the Talent Acquisition Partner.