Head of Communication and Engagement

Shape the conversation. Build trust. Create meaningful connections.

At Waikato District Council, we're looking for an exceptional communications and engagement leader to help shape how we connect with our communities, partners, elected members and stakeholders. This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-performing function at the heart of local government, influencing decisions that impact one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts.

The opportunity

As our Head of Communication and Engagement, you'll provide strategic leadership across communications, media, stakeholder engagement and community participation. You'll be a trusted adviser to senior leaders, elected members and the Mayor's Office, ensuring Council communicates with clarity, credibility and transparency while building enduring trust with the communities we serve.

Reporting to the General Manager Partnerships, Engagement and Maaori, you'll lead and empower a talented communications and engagement team, driving an integrated approach to strategic communications, community engagement and reputation management.

This influential leadership role combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You'll help shape key organisational priorities, guide responses to complex and high-profile issues, oversee media strategy, and ensure community voices are meaningfully reflected in Council decision-making.

What you'll be responsible for

• Leading Council's strategic communications and engagement programmes across internal and external audiences.
• Providing expert advice to the Executive Leadership Team, elected members and senior leaders on complex, sensitive, and high-profile matters.
• Driving proactive communication planning, messaging, and storytelling that enhances public trust and understanding.
• Overseeing media strategy, media relationships, and reputation management.
• Ensuring community and stakeholder engagement is meaningful, inclusive, accessible and aligned with best practice.
• Strengthening partnerships across iwi, hapū, community organisations, government agencies, residents and key stakeholders.
• Leading engagement approaches that ensure community insights inform advice, decision-making and outcomes.
• Building organisational capability through robust frameworks, standards, coaching, and quality assurance.
• Supporting emergency and incident response communications when required.

What will I bring?

We're seeking a strategic and experienced leader who can confidently operate in a complex and highly visible environment.

• Significant senior leadership experience in communications, engagement, public relations, journalism, marketing or related field.
• A proven track record of providing trusted advice to executives, governance groups or elected representatives.
• Strong expertise in strategic communications, media management, stakeholder engagement and reputation management.
• Experience designing and delivering complex engagement programmes that influence public sector decision-making.
• Highly developed political awareness, sound judgement, and the ability to navigate sensitive issues with confidence and professionalism.
• Outstanding communication, writing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to simplify complex information for diverse audiences.
• Strong people leadership experience, with a passion for developing capability and creating high-performing teams.
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga Maaori and culturally responsive communication and engagement practices.

Why join our team?

There's never been a more exciting time to join us.

We're progressing through a significant organisational transformation that is creating new opportunities, strengthening how we work, and positioning us for the future. As part of this journey, you'll be encouraged to bring new perspectives, challenge thinking, and help shape a workplace culture built on collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.

We are committed to building strong relationships with iwi, hapū, marae and Maaori communities, fostering an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are valued and community voices are heard.

If you're a strategic communications and engagement leader who thrives in complex environments, enjoys building trusted relationships, and is passionate about strengthening connections between communities and local government, we'd love to hear from you.

Additional Information

Salary circa $170K dependent on skills and experience.

Waikato District Council offers a range of benefits to employees:

• Enjoy free parking.
• Make work, work for you with flexible working options.
• Benefit from annual performance and remuneration reviews.
• Access subsidised health insurance.
• Celebrate with a day of birthday leave.
• Receive a work-life balance day every six months after your first year.
• Access confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Take advantage of our employee wellbeing programme.
• Receive free health checks, training and education at our annual Work Safe Home Safe event.
• Save with Boost discounts and special offers from New Zealand retailers and service providers.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received and encourage early applications.

We have a strong safety culture and as part of this our preferred candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment medical assessment which includes alcohol and drug testing.

To apply for this job, please go online to www.joinourteam.co.nz and enter the job code 40115LGC.