Principal Communications and Engagement

• Lead communications and engagement on a major Auckland infrastructure programme

• Build trusted relationships with communities, stakeholders, partners and mana whenua

• Fixed-term opportunity for up to 12 months with flexible hybrid working

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council has an opportunity for an experienced Principal Communications and Engagement professional to join our Community Engagement team within the Transport and Infrastructure directorate.

In this role you will lead communications and engagement to support the delivery of the Takaanini Level Crossing Programme, which is essential to grow rail services while keeping traffic moving and improving safety. You will bring your expertise to shape and deliver strategic engagement for the next phase of bridge design and future construction activity, ensuring community and stakeholder perspectives are understood and inform programme planning and decision-making.

A key priority will be maintaining and strengthening trusted relationships with elected members, mana whenua, key stakeholders and affected communities. As a trusted advisor, you will provide strategic advice to programme leaders and consultants on complex and sensitive issues, proactively identify, assess and manage communications and engagement risks, including reputational and stakeholder risks, and deliver consistent, high-quality communications and engagement.

You could expect to:

• Lead proactive communications and engagement strategies, plans and activities for complex transport and infrastructure projects

• Provide trusted strategic advice to programme teams, senior leaders and the wider Community Engagement team

• Build and maintain strong relationships with communities, mana whenua, elected members, partners and external stakeholders

• Identify partnership opportunities and collaborate across the council group to deliver place based community engagement approaches.

• Navigate competing stakeholder priorities and politically sensitive issues with sound judgement and strong political acumen

• Identify and manage emerging issues, reputational risks and opportunities

• Champion the voice of customers, communities and stakeholders in programme planning and decision-making

• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of communications and engagement activity

He kōrero mōu: About you

You will be an established communications and engagement professional with credibility and judgement to lead complex, public-facing work. You will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced political environment, working through ambiguity and advising stakeholders with differing priorities.

We will be looking for:

• 8-10 years experienceExperience leading communications and engagement for complex infrastructure, transport or city-shaping projects.

• Experience in leading and supporting consultants

• Experience providing strategic advice and managing multiple stakeholders with competing priorities

• Strong political acumen, sound judgement and the ability to identify and manage risk

• Highly developed relationship-management skills and the ability to build trust with diverse communities and stakeholders

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to make complex information clear and accessible

• Resilience, adaptability and confidence working in complex and sensitive environments

Previous experience in the public sector, local government, transport or infrastructure would be advantageous. IAP2 accreditation is preferred.

We still encourage you to apply if you have some but not all these requirements.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving more than 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world-class city.