Media & Communications Partners

Role summary

Media & Communications Partners is a role at University of Auckland in Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (hybrid). Posted 2026-08-24. Experience level: 5-10.

Job title

Media & Communications Partners

Company

University of Auckland

Location

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Work arrangement

hybrid

Category

Software Engineering

Experience level

5-10

Date posted

2026-08-24

Job description

Job Description

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 Ze