Manager, Communications

Published: 28 May 2026

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Te whakapakari tahi i tō tātau Taiao – Enhancing our environment together.

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

We are looking for a Manager, Communications to join our Tū Hono Rau – Community and Partnerships Group.

Tū Hono Rau – Community and Partnerships is the Council’s integrated function for communications, engagement, kaupapa Māori and Te Tiriti leadership. Its purpose is to strengthen Council’s relationships with tāngata whenua and the wider community, ensuring participation and partnership are embedded in all decisions, and uphold a visible and trusted presence.

The Manager, Communications is responsible for the operational delivery of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s communications function, ensuring activity across the organisation is coordinated, professional, and aligned with Council priorities. Reporting to Te Pou Whakarae, the role provides leadership and oversight of the communications team, setting clear priorities and professional standards to deliver accurate, timely, and consistent communications. It also leads communications strategy, planning, and delivery across Council, working closely with senior leaders, elected members, and teams, and carries accountability for managing communications‑related reputation risk through effective public communication.

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

You will be an experienced leader with at least three years management experience leading communications teams, overseeing strategy, delivery, workflow coordination, and professional standards. Your ability to confidently manage media relations, issues management, and public communications in environments where reputational risk must be carefully navigated is a core part of your skill set. You will also bring a strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a communications context to ensure messaging, language, and channels are culturally informed, appropriate, and effective for tangata whenua and Māori communities.

You will also have:

• A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent tertiary qualification
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in communications, public relations, or a related field, including experience in a complex organisation or public sector environment
• Demonstrated experience using Te Reo Māori in a communications context, including incorporating simple,
• appropriate Te Reo Māori into everyday written and verbal communication
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to initiate and engage effectively at all levels, internally and externally
• A valid driver's license

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu:

The salary range for this role is between $113,305 to $133,300 and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Other benefits of working for our team include:

• Flexible working options to support work/life balance
• 5 weeks annual leave after 3 years
• 4% superannuation after 3 years
• Life insurance and income protection
• Subsidised eye tests and lenses, flu vaccinations, and other well-being initiatives
• Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a supportive working environment.

See a full list of our staff benefits here 

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

Applications close on Friday, 12 June 2026. If you’re interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as suitable candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed as applications are received.

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.

To view the job description please visit our website here

Please apply through Seek. If you would like any further information regarding the role, please email hr@hbrc.govt.nz

About us | E pā ki a mātou:

At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region’s precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

We focus on prioritising:

Te kounga o te wai, te haumarutanga me te mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi o te whakamarutanga | Water quality, safety and climate-resilient security.  

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua | Climate-smart and sustainable land use. 

Kia ora, kia āhei, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki te rerenga rauropi | Healthy, functioning and climate-resilient biodiversity. 

Kia toitū, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki ngā ratonga me ngā hanganga ā-whare | Sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure. 

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