Senior Communications Lead

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Senior Communications Lead at the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand is a one-year fixed-term, onsite role in Wellington leading communications for the Business Transformation Programme. You’ll partner with the Executive Leadership Team to shape the programme narrative, translate complex change into clear messages, and drive stakeholder engagement with internal teams, government, industry and media while managing risks and media responses and mentoring the team. What matters most is a proven record in large scale transformation communications, change management, and building trusted relationships with senior leaders. For a strong application, tailor your CV and a compelling cover letter with concrete examples, apply early; salary NZD 128,644 to 141,751; closing 18 August 2026.

At the Civil Aviation Authority, we don’t just keep New Zealand’s skies safe and secure, we help shape the future of aviation.

• Lead communications and engagement for a significant organisation-wide transformation programme
• Influence how change is understood, adopted, and experienced across the organisation and aviation sector
• Work alongside senior leaders to tell the story of one of CAA’s most important strategic initiatives

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Communications Lead to join our Communications and External Relations team on a one-year fixed-term basis.

This strategic and hands-on role will lead communications and engagement for CAA’s Business Transformation Programme, one of the organisation’s most high-profile initiatives. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Executive Sponsor, Programme Manager and transformation teams, you’ll develop and deliver clear, compelling communications that build understanding, engagement and support for change.

You’ll shape the programme narrative across CAA and with key external audiences, including the aviation industry, media and government stakeholders. Success in this role will require the ability to translate complex information into engaging content, advise senior leaders, lead stakeholder engagement, manage high-profile communications activity, and ensure messaging remains aligned, consistent and integrated with wider organisational priorities and strategic goals.

About the Business Transformation Programme

This is your opportunity to get in at the start.

We are building a team to deliver a significant transformation that will shape the future of the organisation and the aviation sector. With strong executive support and a clear mandate for change, this is an opportunity to work on genuine transformation - not simply improve existing processes or deliver business as usual.

These roles are initially offered on a one-year fixed-term basis while the business case progresses through approval. We recognise that means taking a degree of risk. But for the right person, it is also a chance to get involved at the point where the programme is being shaped, make a meaningful contribution and work on a transformation that is genuinely important.

If you are motivated by complex change and want to help build something significant, this is the time to get involved.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the programme’s communication and stakeholder engagement strategy
• Create compelling programme narratives, communication artefacts, and engagement opportunities for a wide range of audiences
• Translate complex programme information and change impacts into clear, accessible, and actionable messages
• Provide strategic communications and engagement advice to the Business Transformation Programme and senior leaders
• Conduct stakeholder analysis and develop targeted engagement approaches to support programme objectives
• Strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring they are informed, engaged, and involved where appropriate
• Identify and manage communications, engagement, and reputational risks and opportunities
• Provide guidance on media management and communications responses relating to programme activities
• Mentor and support other communications team members as the programme evolves

The salary range for this role is $128,644 - $141,751. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

For more information on the role please view the position description.

What You'll Bring

If you're a strategic communications professional who thrives in complex environments, enjoys influencing change, and builds trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels, this is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a transformation programme of national significance.

To succeed in this role, you'll bring:

• Extensive experience developing and delivering communications and stakeholder engagement strategies for large, complex and high-profile transformation, digital, or organisational change programmes.
• Strong understanding of change management, stakeholder engagement, media relations, and issues management.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships across senior leadership, government, industry, external partners, and internal teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including a commitment to plain English and the ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, engaging messages for diverse audiences.
• Strong influencing, facilitation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to identify and manage communication, engagement, and reputational risks.
• Knowledge of public sector operating environments and decision-making processes.
• A tertiary qualification in communications, political science, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience in the aviation sector would be an advantage but is not essential.

About us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand’s international reputation.

Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system – so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.

Our values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration guide everything we do. We’re committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute.

Why Join Us?

• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance
• Flu vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Programme

Ready to Apply?

If you're passionate about strategic communications and stakeholder engagement while helping organisations navigate significant change, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submitting your CV and cover letter. Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the skills required for this role.

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Please let us know if there is any support we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, contact the Recruitment team at [email protected].

Applications close: 18 August 2026

Please be aware that we may start shortlisting as applications come in. We encourage early applications, as the advertisement may close sooner than stated.