Senior Change Communications Advisor (12-month fixed term or secondment)

Role overview

New Zealand Customs Service is seeking a Senior Change Communications Advisor for a 12-month fixed term or secondment position in Wellington. This role is focused on making organisational change easy to understand, relevant, and actionable for employees, so they can move through change with clarity and confidence.

Reporting to the Principal Advisor Change and Transformation within Enterprise Services, you will play a key part in shaping how change is communicated across Customs. The position calls for someone who can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, turning complex programme information into messages and materials that support readiness, adoption, and engagement.

What you will do

You will work closely with programme teams, leaders, and subject matter experts to build communication approaches that align with implementation plans, programme objectives, and adoption milestones. The role is hands-on and advisory, with a strong emphasis on audience needs and quality execution.

• Plan and deliver communication activities that support people to understand, prepare for, and embrace change.
• Convert detailed and technical programme content into plain, usable messages tailored to different audiences.
• Advise project sponsors, managers, and senior stakeholders on communication methods that increase awareness, confidence, and readiness.
• Produce polished communication assets such as announcements, leader briefing packs, FAQs, presentations, speaking notes, intranet updates, and rollout communications.
• Develop effective working relationships across programmes and business groups to strengthen engagement throughout the change process.

What you will bring

The ideal candidate will be calm, trusted, and confident when working in complex or fast-moving environments. You should be able to simplify complexity, build strong relationships, and maintain a practical, service-oriented approach.

• A strategic, audience-led style with the ability to turn complexity into clear and useful communication.
• A composed and credible manner, including the ability to stay steady under pressure.
• A collaborative approach and a strong focus on practical delivery and customer service.
• Proven ability to earn trust and influence a wide range of stakeholders through strong relationships.
• Comfort working through uncertainty, shifting priorities, and ongoing change.
• A commitment to clear communication, continuous improvement, and high professional standards.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, journalism, change management, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• The ability to obtain and maintain Restricted security clearance.

Working at Customs

At Customs, your work contributes directly to something important for New Zealand. You will have access to learning and development opportunities through on-the-job training, formal learning, leadership programmes, and career pathways across a varied organisation.

The workplace is inclusive and supportive, with social and cultural groups, flexible working options where possible, discounted health insurance, access to free on-site gyms in some locations, and three additional service holidays on top of four weeks of annual leave.

Application and security requirements

To work at Customs, applicants must be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident and able to obtain and maintain security clearance at Restricted level. Because of the nature of the work, a clean police record is required and successful candidates must also pass a drug test.

Eligibility includes New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who have lived continuously in New Zealand for the past five years and are living in New Zealand at the time of application. It also includes New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who have lived in New Zealand for the last five years and are currently living in New Zealand, but may have been away for periods of six months or less during the last five years, preferably in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, or the United States. In these cases, overseas police certificates will be required for time spent outside New Zealand.

Applicants should submit a current CV and cover letter explaining their suitability and motivation for the role. A position description is available for further information. Applications are being reviewed as they are received, so the role may close before the advertised deadline of 11pm, Friday 3 July 2026. Customs is running this recruitment internally and is not working with recruitment agencies for this vacancy.

Organisation commitment

New Zealand Customs Service is committed to a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. The organisation values equal employment opportunity and welcomes applications from people who can meet the requirements of the role.