Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity 

This is a rare opportunity to help build and shape a newly established Communications function at New Zealand's largest and most comprehensive university. Working alongside senior academic and professional leaders, you'll partner with some of the country's most influential educators, researchers and innovators to tell stories that inform, inspire and create impact well beyond our campuses. From breakthrough medical research and scientific discovery to innovation, entrepreneurship and education, you'll help tell stories that have the power to inform public debate, influence policy and improve lives. 

Find out more about the ways we are transforming how we engage with our internal and external audiences across our Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Engagement functions.

Embedded across the university and working closely with faculty Deans and research centre Directors, you’ll translate organisational priorities into proactive communication plans, engaging audiences, enhancing reputation and supporting strategic objectives.  

You’ll have a strong risk radar and be able to advise senior leaders, academics and researchers how to navigate sensitive issues and build trust with audiences and stakeholders.  

There’s no shortage of good stories to tell and you’ll be supported by a central hub of communications expertise spanning external communications, strategic communications, internal communications, digital storytelling and publishing to help get messages out across a range of channels.  

Our available portfolios span some of the University's most strategically important and intellectually exciting areas, including our world-leading Faculty of Medical and Health Services, Faculty of Science, Large Scale Research Institutes (The Liggins Institute and Auckland Biomedical Engineering Institute), Research & Innovation, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.  

These are portfolios rich with stories of breakthrough research, societal impact, educational excellence and global collaboration. 

In these roles, you’ll be: 

• Building trusted relationships with senior leaders, researchers and stakeholders across your portfolio 

• Providing strategic communications advice and identifying opportunities to enhance reputation and visibility 

• Developing strategies and plans to strengthen employee engagement, recognition and belonging 

• Identifying, developing and delivering proactive media opportunities, managing media enquiries, and training and supporting media spokespeople 

• Translating complex topics into engaging and compelling content for internal and external audiences 

• Identifying and managing emerging issues, reputational risks and opportunities 

• Supporting continuous improvement through planning, evaluation and stakeholder feedback 

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity. The full salary range for this role is 98,700 - $133,500 per annum (Band H). 

We have a structured salary framework with three zones for those developing into the role (developing), fully effective (target) and contributing beyond what is expected of the role (upper). Appointments are typically made within the target range of $105,701 – $121,900 per annum, depending on skills, experience, and internal equity. We welcome conversations about your expectations and what matters to you in your overall package. Any offer will be made within the advertised range and guided by fairness, consistency, and our commitment to pay equity. 

He kōrero mōu | About you 

We're looking for experienced communications professionals who can connect people, priorities and stories — helping ensure the University's communications activity delivers meaningful impact for our students, staff, researchers, partners and communities. 

You may come from a communications, media relations, journalism, public relations, corporate affairs or strategic communications background. What matters most is your ability to build trusted relationships, identify opportunities and translate complex information into compelling communications. 

We're particularly interested in people who bring: 

• Experience providing strategic communications advice at a senior level within large, complex organisations 

• Strong media relations, external communications or public affairs experience 

• Exceptional writing, storytelling and digital content development capability 

• Demonstrated stakeholder management skills with strong judgement and the credibility to influence decision making 

• Curiosity, adaptability and comfort working within evolving, ambiguous environments 

• A collaborative and service-oriented mindset 

• Cultural competency, knowledge and understanding of te ao Māori and experience communicating with diverse audiences  

• Experience in STEM, research, medical and health communications environments an advantage 

Find out more about the ways we are transforming how we engage with our internal and external audiences and see the position description for each of the portfolios for more detailed information on each of the roles: 

Media and Communications Partner – Large Scale Research Institutes 

Supporting two world-leading research centres, you’ll be communicating about the real-life impact of groundbreaking research improving health outcomes for communities around the world. 

Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) aims to improve medical diagnosis and treatment of injury and disease through the application of engineering sciences and technical innovation to medicine and human physiology. 

See the position description

The Liggins Institute studies how early life events, nutrition, and environment, from before conception through childhood, shape lifelong health, aiming to give every child a healthy start. 

Media and Communications Partner – Faculty of Science 

The largest and most highly ranked science faculty in New Zealand, brings together more than 7,000 students across 10 diverse schools and departments. From climate change and sustainability to biodiversity, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, Faculty of Science students, academic and researchers are tackling some of the world's most significant challenges.  

See the position description

Media and Communications Partner – Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences

A large and diverse faculty with more than 4,000 students studying across six schools, FMHS is committed to improving the health of local, national and global communities through excellence in teaching, research, service and engagement. We’re developing the next generation of health care practitioners and researchers to answer the big questions around human health and wellbeing. 

See the position description

Media and Communications Partner – Research & Innovation 

This portfolio sits at the heart of the University's research strategy, supporting world-class researchers, flagship research initiatives and innovation programmes that create impact beyond academia. The biggest advances rarely come from one field, one discipline, or one way of seeing the world. They happen when different areas of expertise come together. We bring together world-class research with iwi, communities, industry, government and global partners, to turn our greatest strengths into the world’s next breakthroughs. 

See the position description

Media and Communications Partner – Innovation & Entrepreneurship 

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is a community that provides opportunities for students and staff across all faculties to develop entrepreneurial mindsets and innovative capability. By developing our people for innovative careers or start-up creation, we’re also building a future of prosperity for Aotearoa New Zealand and creating a world of opportunity, so far igniting 293 ventures, creating 4,427 jobs and raising $8.2 billion in capital.  

See position description

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer 

As a comprehensive university and Aotearoa’s largest research organisation, our scale creates opportunities that few organisations can offer. Beyond the work itself, you'll be joining a vibrant and inclusive community. From staff networks and cultural communities to social clubs, volunteering opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and campus events, there are countless ways to connect, contribute and build meaningful relationships across the University. 

We also offer: 

• A commitment to work/life balance with a 37.5 hour working week, flexible hours and hybrid/remote working patterns 

• A competitive remuneration package with up to 6.75% super, annual salary increase with performance-based multiplier 

• Time to recharge and disconnect with 5 weeks' annual leave and additional leave buy/sell scheme,  

• Support for parents and carers with subsidised on-site childcare (including Kōhanga Reo), gender-neutral parental leave up to 9 weeks’ full pay, on-site parenting and feeding spaces 

• A commitment to the wellbeing of our people with confidential access to a range of EAP services, including mental health counselling, financial guidance, neurodiversity coaching and rongoā services, a world-class on-site fitness centre, access to student specialists across our supervised training clinics, discounted health insurance.  

• The opportunity to grow with access to an extensive programme of professional, leadership and cultural development, including digital capability coaching, specialised leadership development programmes, and Te Ao and Te Reo Māori learning programmes for staff 

• The opportunity to build your career with one of New Zealand's most diverse and complex organisations 

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply 

Please submit an application online by the closing date of 25 September 2026. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting your interest in the role, your capabilities and relevant experience. 

Please reach out to Verity Collins [email protected] with any questions. 

Reasonable accommodations - We are committed to building a more equitable and inclusive workforce and workplace, so we encourage applicants to reach out to discuss any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process, including alternative ways to submit applications. 

Whānau and support people - Should you be invited to an interview for this role, your whānau members and/or support people will be welcome to join you. The recruiter or hiring manager will provide more information about this as part of the interview arrangements.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz