Senior Communications Advisor
The role
Do you have a critical eye for detail, a flair for storytelling, and the ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery?
Horizons Regional Council is looking for an experienced Senior Communications Advisor to join our small but mighty Communications Team based in Palmerston North. This permanent, full-time role offers the opportunity to work across a broad range of communications disciplines while helping to tell the stories behind the work we do to support our communities, environment and region.
As a senior member of the team, you'll work closely with the Media and Communications Manager, providing strategic advice, leading key projects and acting as second-in-charge when required.
One day you may be developing a communications plan for a major environmental initiative, the next managing media enquiries, supporting community engagement activities, coordinating a campaign, or contributing to emergency management communications during a civil defence response.
As Senior Communications Advisor, you'll help shape how Horizons communicates with the people and communities we serve – especially through the upcoming period of change for local government, which will bring both challenges and opportunities in the communications space.
You'll provide strategic communications advice across the organisation and work alongside project teams, managers and senior leaders to develop and deliver effective communications, engagement and marketing initiatives.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing communications and marketing plans for key organisational projects and initiatives.
- Providing trusted communications advice to senior leaders, managers and project teams.
- Leading proactive media relations, media enquiries and reputation management activities.
- Planning and delivering communication campaigns, community engagement initiatives and promotional activities.
- Producing and overseeing a wide range of communications materials including media releases, web content, social media content, publications, advertising and signage.
- Managing communications projects, events and consultation activities from planning through to delivery and evaluation.
- Supporting Horizons' emergency management and public information responsibilities, including participation in training, exercises and emergency responses.
- Acting as 2IC to the Media and Communications Manager and providing mentoring and support to other team members when required.
Why join us?
When you join us, you can look forward to a rewarding career full of opportunities to develop a positive and supportive work environment. We do this through:
- Positive focus on employee health, wellness and wellbeing initiatives across the organisation including your birthday off, wellness day, life insurance for all permanent staff and 5 weeks leave after 2 years of service.
- Flexible family friendly work environment.
- Ongoing development and opportunities across the organisation to grow, specialise or diversify your skills.
- Working together for a better environment across our region.
- A supportive and social work environment across the organisation.
About you
You bring a strategic mindset and excellent judgement while being equally comfortable rolling up your sleeves and delivering high-quality work across multiple projects and channels.
You'll have:
- At least five years' experience in communications, public relations, marketing or a related field.
- A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent industry experience.
- Demonstrated experience developing and delivering communications plans, campaigns and projects.
- Strong media relations and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
- Experience managing multiple priorities, deadlines and budgets.
- Proven ability to influence and work effectively with people at all levels of an organisation.
- Experience leading projects and mentoring others; formal people leadership experience would be an advantage.
- Creativity, initiative and a solutions-focused approach.
- The ability to remain calm, adaptable and effective in changing environments.
Experience in local government, the public sector, emergency management or community engagement would be beneficial but is not essential.
Applications close 5pm Sunday 5 July 2026.
About us
The Horizons region extends over 22,200km2 – from Ruapehu in the north and Horowhenua in the south, to Whanganui in the west and Tararua in the east. We work with and for our community in the use and protection of our environment, managing our precious resources of land, air and water; as well as public transport and a key role in emergency management. At Horizons Regional Council we work to make our region a healthy environment where people are thriving, including our staff.
Horizons are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to ensuring we have a diverse and inclusive workplace so our people reflect the diversity of our region.
