Apply now »

Senior Advisor Communications

Our purpose | To tatou Kaupapa 

 

We are the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), New Zealand’s independent environmental regulator.  Our role is important: to help protect our country’s unique way of life by looking out for the health of its environment, its economy and its people.  

 

Our kaupapa is about making the right decisions, based on evidence, mātauranga, and science. We are passionate people working as one EPA to encourage big ideas and bold goals.  

 

What we achieve today helps shape the future of New Zealand for generations to come. We welcome you to join us on our journey to a healthy environment that benefits us all. 

 

Jump in the waka – make history with us. 

 

 

About our group | Mō te roopu 

 

The Communications and Customer team is part of the Corporate Services Group and provides leadership and support in external communications and media management, corporate communications and publications, ministerial and government engagement, and shares information with the public through official correspondence and our customer contact centre. 

 

 

About the role | Mō te tūnga  

 

This is a full-time permanent position. 

 

This role is based in our Wellington office. While we're happy to consider work-from-home arrangements, this role is not designed for full-time remote working. 

 

You will have a range of strategic, planning, and delivery tools and experience to excel at internal and external communications. 

 

As the lead for our internal communications, you will partner with senior leaders to support our people and organisational programmes. You will be able to manage complex issues and ground your work in our EPA values.  The role is responsible for mentoring and supporting team members and kaimahi across the organisation to deliver best-practice internal communications. 

 

You will also partner with experts in various business areas to share content across multiple external channels about the significant work we do. 

  

The successful candidate will have been in a senior communications role with 5+ years’ experience. In this role you will: 

 

  • Lead effective and engaging internal communications.  

  • Partner with business groups to advise on reputational risks and seek communications opportunities. 

  • Develop and deliver communications for internal and external EPA projects and initiatives. 

  • Enhance awareness of EPA priorities and key projects through proactive storytelling. 

  • Manage media issues, including responding to media enquiries..  

  • Proactively seek media opportunities and create media releases. 

  • Contribute to and support the delivery of a range of EPA publications from e-newsletters to corporate documents.  

  • Simplify often complex and technical subject matter so that it is relevant, engaging and able to be understood by a range of audiences and suitable for use via various communications channels. 

  • Support the delivery of the EPA’s digital communications channels including our website, our intranet and social media. 

  • Provide communications support and advice for the EPA Board Chair, Chief Executive, and Executive Leadership Team. 

  • Advise on and support initiatives to enhance stakeholder engagement. 

  • Monitor, evaluate and report on communications delivery, and making continual improvements. 

 

 

About you | Mōhou ake  

 

We are looking for an individual with a range of skills and capabilities. If you have some or all of the below, we would love to hear from you. 

  

  • Ideally at least five years’ communication experience 

  • Experience at a senior level leading internal communications to support organisational priorities  

  • Ability to creatively use language to communicate technical and environmental topics 

  • Communications planning and delivery skills using a range of tools and channels 

  • Media management 

  • Radar for reputational risk 

  • Initiative and problem-solving skills  

  • Excellent interpersonal skills 

  • Good attention to detail 

  • Ability to manage a diverse workload 

 

 

What’s in it for you | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou 

 

There are a range of benefits that our people value: 

 

  • Flexible working culture 

  • Flexible sick leave provisions  

  • Three additional paid leave days between Christmas and New Years in addition to four weeks’ annual leave 

  • $400 non-taxable payment for home flexible working set up  

  • Paid annual EPA Environment Day supporting the community on environmental initiatives 

  • In-house Māori cultural capability building programme  

  • Learning opportunities including the annual EPA Symposium  

  • Active social club and a diverse range of groups and support networks  

  • Organisation wide awards recognising both individual and team effort. 

 

 

Salary range 

 

$103,473 – $155,209 (mid-point $129,341).  

 

This is the full salary range of the band, from 80% - 120%. Appointments will generally be made at or below the midpoint of this range, depending on skills and experience. 

 

 

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono  

 

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submitting your CV and cover letter.  

 

Please note: your cover letter will form a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your experience relates to the requirements for this role and tell us about you, your values and/or whakapapa and motivations for the role.  

 

View the Position Description for further information, please contact recuit@epa.govt.nz or check out the careers section of our website www.epa.govt.nz/careers. 

 

 

Applications close | Rā Katinga  

5pm, Wednesday 24 June 2026 

 

We will review applications as they are submitted and may begin our selection process prior to the end of the application stage 

Apply now »