Communications Business Partner

About Hato Hone St John

Hato Hone St John has served New Zealand since 1885 and currently employs nearly 12,000 individuals nationwide. Our work ranges from responding to emergency 111 calls to promoting community health through education, access, and monitoring, making significant positive impacts daily.

Role Overview

We seek a seasoned Communications Business Partner to collaborate with the Māori Health & Engagement and Strategy & Executive Operations teams. Fluency in Te Reo Māori is strongly preferred, alongside the ability to provide culturally grounded communications and advice.

This influential position requires partnering with senior leadership to develop and execute high-quality communication strategies that align with organizational priorities, enhance stakeholder engagement, and drive positive outcomes throughout Aotearoa.

As a key advisor, you will coordinate the planning and delivery of integrated communications and public affairs efforts ensuring cultural responsiveness, audience focus, and consistent messaging. Your portfolio will stretch across strategic initiatives and support advancing Māori health equity aspirations.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior leaders to design and implement strategic communications aligned with the organization's goals.
• Create and execute integrated communication strategies supporting directorate plans, initiatives, and change efforts.
• Identify and leverage communication opportunities that uphold organizational priorities and external narratives.
• Lead both internal and external communications functions, including media relations and public affairs activities.
• Produce diverse, high-quality content such as media releases, speeches, opinion pieces, Q&As, website materials, case studies, and social media posts.
• Offer expert guidance on messaging, risk management, and issue resolution.
• Maintain strong media relationships and proactively seek new media opportunities.
• Support preparedness and planning for crisis communications.
• Ensure communications are driven by audience insights and delivered through the most impactful channels.

Candidate Profile

• Fluency in Te Reo Māori is highly desirable.
• Deep understanding of Māori worldview, tikanga, and culturally responsive communication approaches.
• Established networks within Māori broadcast and social media platforms.
• Experience advising on communications reflecting equity and Māori health perspectives.
• Proven track record managing integrated communications in medium to large organizations.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills with the ability to simplify complex topics into engaging content.
• Strong relationship-building skills with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders, coupled with effective influencing and listening abilities.
• A proactive, solution-oriented mindset, exercising sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
• Capability to juggle multiple priorities while maintaining high quality outputs.

Additional Details

We value diversity and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves, promoting inclusion and equity for all communities. If accessibility accommodations are needed during recruitment, candidates are encouraged to contact the listed recruiter.

We invite applicants who may not perfectly match all the listed experience but are passionate about the role to apply or inquire for a conversation.