Principal Engagement Advisor

About The Role

This senior position offers an exciting chance to influence how the Selwyn District Council communicates and collaborates with its communities. As the lead engagement specialist, you will offer strategic guidance to the Mayor, Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team, and senior management while spearheading the Council’s engagement programs. Your efforts will be focused on ensuring the diverse voices, needs, and aspirations of Selwyn’s communities are genuinely incorporated into Council decisions.

You will oversee engagement strategies for significant, high-profile, and sensitive projects, foster trusted partnerships with iwi, community figures, businesses, and key stakeholders, and provide expert counsel in situations requiring political insight, sound judgment, and a strong grasp of community expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and refine the Council’s frameworks, standards, and best practices for engagement.
• Deliver reliable strategic advice concerning engagement prospects, risks, and community expectations.
• Lead engagement initiatives for major projects including infrastructure, reforms, and policy changes.
• Develop strong relationships with iwi, rūnanga, community leaders, business groups, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure engagement activities are inclusive, accessible, data-driven, and conform to legislative mandates.
• Translate engagement findings into insightful advice that informs decision-making processes.
• Mentor and support engagement team members and boost engagement competencies across the Council.
• Collaborate closely with communications staff to align engagement efforts with messaging and communication channels.

Qualifications and Experience

• Extensive experience managing engagement in complex, public-facing environments.
• Excellent skills in relationship building and stakeholder management.
• Strong political sensitivity, sound judgment, and courage to provide frank advice.
• Experience engaging with iwi, mana whenua, and diverse community groups.
• Deep understanding of engagement principles including planning, evaluation, and legislative consultation requirements.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and guide stakeholders through complex or sensitive matters.
• A commitment to enhancing organizational capacity and improving consistency and quality of engagement practices.

Preferred background sectors include local or central government, infrastructure, utilities, health, environment, housing, or any organization that relies heavily on community trust, participation, and stakeholder engagement.

Benefits and Perks

• Excellent work-life balance with flexible working options.
• Career coaching and professional development opportunities.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Wellbeing leave as well as volunteer leave provisions.
• Three extra paid leave days annually.
• Two weeks of paid Partners Leave.
• Access to sick leave from the first day of employment.
• Continued contributions to KiwiSaver even during savings suspension periods.
• Discounts available at local and national businesses.