Manager | Communications Planning and Delivery | Wellington
Date: 16 Sept 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Permanent role at National Office in Wellington.
- Our team is office based to best support our stakeholders and clients.
- Lead the planning and delivery of communications for Service Delivery.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across communications and marketing strategies, plans and delivery.
About the role | Mō te tūnga
Service Delivery Communications supports the delivery of MSD services to New Zealanders through clear, effective and audience-centred communications.
The team works with leaders and business groups across Service Delivery to develop communication and marketing strategies and plans that are aligned with operational priorities and delivered to a high standard.
Our work helps make it easier for New Zealanders to understand MSD’s services and support, while strengthening understanding, engagement and behaviour across key audiences.
The Manager Communications Planning and Delivery leads a team responsible for planning and delivering client and public communications that support Service Delivery to provide MSD services to New Zealanders.
This role provides strategic and operational leadership for a team that works in partnership with colleagues across Service Delivery to develop and deliver integrated communication and marketing strategies, plans and activities that support service delivery outcomes and improve the experience of New Zealanders accessing MSD services.
You will lead the planning and coordination of your team's forward communications programme, ensuring work is audience-focused, well connected to operational priorities, and delivered in a consistent and effective way.
As a member of the Service Delivery Communications leadership team, you will contribute to the overall direction, performance and culture of the group. You will provide trusted communications advice to senior leaders, programme leads and business partners, and foster a collaborative culture that strengthens the systems, standards and practices needed for sustainable and effective communications delivery.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
- Extensive experience in senior communications leadership roles, preferably within the public sector or a large, complex organisation.
- Proven experience leading strategic communications and marketing programmes in operational and client-facing environments.
- Strong expertise leading communications advice and integrated planning across multiple audiences and programmes.
- Strong people leadership experience, including building team capability and supporting high performance.
- The ability to use audience insight, operational context and data to shape communication planning and improve outcomes.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide clear, practical advice and produce plain language communications.
- Sound experience in strategic planning, operational management, project management, financial management and performance monitoring.
- The ability to lead teams through change while maintaining delivery quality and momentum.
- A good understanding of the public sector environment, government processes and the context Service Delivery operates in.
- A relevant tertiary qualification in communications, marketing, public relations or a related discipline is desirable, or equivalent experience.
- A commitment to integrating Te Pae Tawhiti, Te Pae Tata and Pacific Prosperity strategies into work programmes, and championing a Te Ao Māori perspective in design work.
What’s in it for you | Nōu te rourou
This is an opportunity to lead a key communications planning and delivery function that supports the day-to-day delivery of services to New Zealanders.
You will work with senior leaders, programme leads, business partners and communications colleagues to strengthen integrated planning, improve delivery practices and support communications that are clear, accessible and audience-focused.
You will lead a capable team, support continuous improvement across Service Delivery Communications, and help shape communications that make a practical difference for kaimahi, clients, stakeholders and the public.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: 24 September 2026
Apply early - suitable candidates may be progressed prior to closing date
About us | Mō mātou
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) 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 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.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment
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. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.
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.
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. You can find out more about our values here.
If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
