Senior Advisor at Te Whatu Ora, Auckland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Permanent, full-time position based in Auckland.
• Help shape regional and local communications that support better health outcomes for our communities.
• A dynamic role where your communication expertise, strategic thinking, and relationship management skills will make a meaningful impact.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders.

We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations — from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities.

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the Role

As a Senior Advisor, you'll support the development and implementation of communication strategies that help to improve health outcomes for New Zealanders. Working closely with local leadership, national communications teams, and key stakeholders, you'll provide trusted communications advice and help ensure messaging is clear, timely, and effective.

This is a varied and fast-paced role where you'll manage local communication channels, coordinate communications activities, and contribute to the successful delivery of communication initiatives across the region. You'll play an important role in telling our positive stories and developing content that resonates with our patients, communities and staff. You'll also identify and respond to emerging risks and issues, provide strategic and operational communications support, and help strengthen stakeholder engagement across internal and external audiences. Alongside this, you'll contribute fresh ideas and innovative approaches to enhance how Health New Zealand communicates with its people, partners, and communities.

About you

As an experienced communications professional, you'll bring strong relationship management skills, excellent judgement, and the ability to thrive in complex and evolving environments.

• A relevant qualification in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, politics, or a related field.
• Around five years' experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, or related roles.
• Experience contributing to communication strategies and leading implementation activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences.
• Excellent relationship management, problem-solving, and organisational skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Working at Health New Zealand 

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.   

How to Apply 

To apply, please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 11:59PM Wednesday 17 June 2026. For further information, please contact Nicole Rickard on Nicole.Rickard@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz.

The full position description is available on the Health New Zealand Careers site.

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected kaimahi will be given preference and priority for this position.

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.