Manager, Communications Planning and Delivery, Wellington
Date: 9 Apr 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
About us | Mō mātou
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
- Service Delivery Communications
- Permanent Position
- National Office, Wellington
As Manager, Communications Planning and Delivery, you will lead a team that works across Service Delivery to ensure communications are well planned, integrated, and informed by a strong understanding of audiences. These include kaimahi, clients, stakeholders, and the wider public.
Working with operational leaders, project teams, and the wider Service Delivery Communications function, the team plays a key role in supporting day-to-day operations, change initiatives, and system and service improvements. The focus is on clear planning, coordination, and prioritisation so communications are consistent, timely, and aligned with operational and client needs.
ou will ensure strategies, channels, messages, and timings support Service Delivery priorities and contribute to meaningful outcomes for people and whānau across New Zealand.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
• Significant experience leading communications for operational work and change programmes in complex organisations
• Proven people leadership experience, including setting clear expectations, supporting performance, and building a high performing team
• Strong strategic planning skills, with experience managing integrated communications activity across multiple priorities and workstreams
• Demonstrated ability to design communications that are effective, well targeted, and delivered through the right channels and content formats
• Experience strengthening measurement and evaluation to understand what is working and improve communications outcomes
• Sound judgement and the ability to manage competing demands while keeping the team focused on agreed priorities
• Strong relationship management skills, with credibility working alongside senior leaders, frontline teams, and programme owners
• A calm, organised, and pragmatic approach, with the ability to provide clear advice under pressure
If you enjoy setting direction, creating clarity, and enabling others to deliver great communications work, this role offers scope to lead meaningful work.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Closing date: 22 April 2026
Joining us | Ko te hono mai
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.
