Chief Communications Officer Greater Wellington, New Zealand Area

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

Wellington CentralPermanent Role

We are seeking an experienced executive leader to join the Strategy and Assurance Leadership Team as

Chief Communications OfficerAbout the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

This is a critical enterprise leadership role, responsible for strengthening stakeholder confidence and ensuring communications and engagement perspectives are embedded in strategic decision-making across the organisation.Reporting to the Deputy Secretary, Strategy and Assurance, you will lead communications, public affairs and stakeholder engagement functions while contributing to the broader leadership, performance and stewardship of a large and complex organisation.

As a communications leader, you will be a trusted executive responsible for supporting the organisation navigate change, manage risk, identify opportunities, and respond to emerging issues in a rapidly evolving environment.

You will bring the judgement, influence and leadership capability required to operate at the highest levels of government and the public sector. You will provide leadership to a significant communications function, leading managers and developing organisational capability while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.

You will be an accomplished executive leader with significant experience leading communications, corporate affairs, public affairs or stakeholder-facing functions within a large and complex environment.

As Chief Communications Officer, you will:

Lead MBIE's enterprise-wide communications, engagement and public affairs strategy.

Partner with the Chief Executive, Chief of Staff, Ministers and Senior Leadership Team to provide trusted advice on complex, high-profile and strategically significant matters.

Shape MBIE's approach to reputation management, stakeholder engagement and public confidence.

Identify and manage enterprise risks and opportunities, ensuring the organisation is well positioned to respond to change and emerging challenges.

Lead communications responses during major organisational events, issues and periods of heightened public scrutiny.

Drive consistency, quality and strategic alignment across the communications function and wider organisation.

Influence outcomes across organisational boundaries, building strong partnerships and alignment around shared goals.

Lead, coach and develop a team of leaders and communications professionals, building capability for the future.

Maintain strong relationships with government agencies, industry leaders, iwi, media and key stakeholders.

Shape and influence organisational direction and success through strong collective leadership, taking accountability for organisational performance, culture, strategic outcomes, governance, and risk and issue management.

About MBIE - Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

Mahi Tahi – Better Together

Māia – Bold and brave

Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future

Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahunga roa o ngā iwi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapa kua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.How to Apply - Me pēhea te tono:

Click here to view a position description.

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

Applications will be reviewed actively as they present.

Email jane.ransfield@mbie.govt.nz if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 25 November 2026