Senior Government Relations and Communications Specialist Government Relations and Strategic Communications Role
• Key position for IrrigationNZ to grow relationships across government agencies and industry groups.
• A strategic communications leadership role within the primary and infrastructure sectors in an exciting and growing space.
An opportunity to influence and support new and existing irrigation development across the country. Join a small but influential team based in Wellington, working for irrigators, supply organisations, and supporters who underpin New Zealand's future success and prosperity. You'll be part of an organisation passionate about the primary industries, freshwater management for efficiency and quality, environmental sustainability, and the people growing food and fibre.
The Organisation
IrrigationNZ is a membership organisation representing farmers, growers, irrigation companies, and organisations that develop, design, and build water capture, storage, and on-farm irrigation systems. We set industry standards and provide training in efficient and effective irrigation management and design, supporting farmers to improve practices. We also work with irrigation schemes and water storage infrastructure to build resilience to climate and land-use changes.
We collaborate with central and local government to advocate for practical regulations and improved practices. Acting as a unified voice for our members, we promote solutions-focused advocacy backed by sound science.
The Role
This is a full-time, Wellington-based role.
We are looking for a dynamic Government Relations & Strategic Communications Manager to support our efforts. In this pivotal position, you will drive communication strategies across multiple platforms, including our quarterly magazine, monthly newsletters, and external media channels. This role is both hands-on and strategic , requiring adaptability and flexibility.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) , you will be responsible for raising IrrigationNZ's profile and showcasing the importance of irrigation to the New Zealand economy and community. Your role will involve engaging with a broad spectrum of stakeholders and strategic partners.
You will need to demonstrate experience delivering effective communications and government engagement strategies and a strong understanding of the primary sectors and how they operate. Your ability to execute those strategies, provide direct communications to members and the public, and support the CEO and technical lead with submissions and policy advice is essential.
Key Attributes and Skills
We are looking for the right person to join our small but highly effective team. You will need to demonstrate:
A passion for the food and fibre sector.
Ability to provide effective, empathetic, and strategic communications underpinned by integrity, evidence, high-quality information, and honesty.
Proven experience in proactive and reactive communications, media management, and public relations , ideally within an agricultural or similarly dynamic environment.
Collaborative working skills to engage with industry players, the CEO, and other team members in delivering sector-wide communication solutions.
A proven ability to engage with stakeholders across central and local government.
Strong interpersonal skills and a team mindset to liaise with internal and external parties and build enduring strategic relationships.
Ability to work across party lines and depoliticise the need for secure water accessibility in New Zealand.
Skills & Experience
The successful candidate will have:
A bachelor's degree in business, policy, communications, or a related field.
At least five years' experience in strategic government relations.
Aptitude with the Adobe Suite, especially InDesign, to create impactful communications.
Proven experience developing and implementing successful communication strategies.
Strong knowledge of government relations, processes, legislative frameworks, advocacy, and public policy issues.
Excellent written and presentation skills.
Agility to shift between tactical and strategic thinking in a reactive environment.
A team player attitude.
The Organisation's Culture
We are a small, impactful, and trusted organisation , where team fit and collaboration with technical experts are key to success. You'll need to take complex information and present it in an engaging and accessible way for a diverse audience. Working across sectors and collaborating with other senior communications and government relations experts will also be important.
This is a unique opportunity to make an impact on New Zealand's primary industries and the future of irrigation. If you have the experience and passion to make a difference, apply now.
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