- Trusted media and communications role
- Lead communications on high-profile issues and projects
- Wellington-based role with national impact
The New Zealand School Property Agency (NZSPA) has been established to manage one of New Zealand's largest and most important public assets. As a standalone Crown Entity, NZSPA is responsible for planning, building, maintaining and administering school property infrastructure that supports students, teachers, and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
This is an opportunity to join a newly established agency and help shape how we communicate with schools, suppliers, our stakeholders, and the wider public.
About the role
As Senior Advisor, Communications, you will provide strategic and operational communications and media support across a broad range of organisational priorities. You'll work closely with leaders and subject matter experts to deliver clear, timely, and audience-focused communications while helping NZSPA navigate emerging issues and opportunities.
This role combines strategic advice with hands-on delivery and is well suited to someone who enjoys variety, working at pace, and building strong relationships across an organisation.
In this role you’ll
- Provide communications and media advice on organisational priorities, emerging issues, and reputational risks.
- Manage media enquiries (including after hours and at weekends as part of a team roster), and develop responses, key messages, and proactive media opportunities.
- Develop and deliver communications plans to support projects, initiatives, and key business activities.
- Create engaging content across a range of internal and external communication channels.
- Monitor media coverage and identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Support communications responses during incidents, issues, and emergency events.
- Partner with colleagues across NZSPA to ensure communications are aligned, customer-focused, and delivered to a high standard.
- Contribute to communications projects that strengthen engagement with stakeholders, schools, and communities.
What you'll bring
We're looking for an experienced communications professional who combines sound judgement with strong relationship management and communication skills.
- Experience in customer-focused communications, media, journalism, public affairs, or stakeholder engagement.
- Experience dealing with media queries and a strong understanding of media processes and priorities
- Political awareness, strategic thinking, and a well-developed risk radar.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex information for different audiences.
- The ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders, media, and stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and tight timeframes.
- An understanding of government processes and the machinery of government would be advantageous.
Why join us?
At NZSPA, you'll join a collaborative and supportive team where your expertise will be valued, and your contribution will help support better outcomes for schools and communities across New Zealand.
You'll have the opportunity to work on meaningful issues while helping shape a newly established public sector organisation.
Apply now
If you're a skilled communications professional who enjoys providing trusted advice, navigating complexity, and delivering high-quality communications, we'd love to hear from you.
For a copy of the Position Description, please contact Human.Resources@schoolproperty.govt.nz
Applications close: 30 October 2026
