Senior Communications Adviser

• Have you worked in a large, complex organisation where clear internal comms is essential?
• Do you have experience as a communications expert and looking for a fixed-term, full-time opportunity?
• Are you skilled at translating technical information into easily understood content for a diverse audience on a number of different channels?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting a Senior Communications Adviser to join its central Communications content team on a fixed-term, full-time role. The content team ensures our content is presented in a cohesive and coordinated manner that safeguards the University’s brand, image, and expression, and enhances the reputation of the University.

This role will work closely with all areas in our Toi Ōhanga - Chief Operating Officer (COO) group and will be allocated work from this portfolio by the Communications and Marketing Manager, COO Group.

Key responsibilities:

• Produce content, including media releases, stories, and articles for all University channels, and covering all parts of the University, for internal and external use.
• Contribute content for University News , the weekly internal newsletter, internal newsletters from across the University, and other publications as required.
• Act as media liaison for the University when required, providing media advice to university staff, support for media enquiries, and alerting Communications group leaders to potential media issues.
• Draft speeches for Te Hiwa, our senior leadership team.
• Storytelling including profiles, research stories, media releases, and web articles.
• Contribute to maintaining and enhancing the content of the University’s public website so that content is accurate, current, and readable. This includes sourcing and creating news and information to update the University’s public website.
• Provide communications planning, delivery, advice, and guidance for both the central team and the COO group unit, which includes Digital Solutions (IT), Property Services, Campus Operations (University Accommodation, University Recreation, Health and Safety, Security and University Kids),
• Develop corporate content, including video, for a variety of channels, including social media.
• Be part of the communications response in emergency situations.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

The ideal candidate will:

• have a few years’ experience as a communications professional and be looking for their next step in the career.
• be a motivated individual with a passion for communicating and a close eye for detail.
• have excellent writing and editing skills.
• Have the ability to adapt content and tone to suit channel and audience.
• Have experience in media liaison, communications planning, and audio-visual content creation.
• Have exceptional organisational skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Be a self-starter, you will both enjoy working autonomously and contributing positively to a high performing team.

Key requirements:

• At least three years’ experience in communications roles.
• Experience in producing high-quality written and oral communications and a demonstrated ability to write to a corporate, professional standard.
• Experience in internal communications planning and writing for a diverse audience.
• Experience of speech-writing for events.
• Knowledge of news media processes, social media, and audio-visual production.
• Proven ability to build strong working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to work at significant pace and under pressure.
• An understanding of universities and the tertiary sector and its policy and operating environment would be an advantage.

Close Date for Vacancy: 31 January 2025.

Contact Details for Vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Sarah Forster ( sarah.forster@vuw.ac.nz ).