Senior Engagement & Outreach Specialist

• Shape how Auckland’s | Tāmaki Makaurau’s voices influence decisions!
• Deliver meaningful engagement on major regional projects
• Work across strategy, consultation, and community connection

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council’s Governance and Engagement Department has an exciting, fixed-term or secondment opportunity to provide parental leave cover as an Engagement and Outreach Specialist. The role is based in the Auckland city centre.

Reporting to the Citizen Engagement Manager, you will play a key role in shaping how the views of Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau residents are heard. You will advise on the design and delivery of high-quality engagement activities across the region, ensuring your work aligns with departmental and organisational strategy.

This is a hands-on, future-focused role where you will:

• Contribute to major strategic initiatives and long-term planning programmes
• Design and deliver meaningful community engagement  with an additional element of internal outreach activities
• Support transparency and strengthen public participation in decision making, especially across diverse communities
• Connect community insights and perspectives with key decision‑makers
• Work across multiple programmes of work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

You will gain valuable exposure and experience that will support your progression into a Senior Engagement role, while helping ensure Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau’s diverse communities have a meaningful and influential voice.

Your work will span a variety of projects, such as:

• Supporting large‑scale statutory consultations, such as local board plans, long term plan, a range of bylaws, and other projects of regional significance
• Supporting and managing the Auckland Conversations Programme, including event delivery and liaison with business partners
• Designing and delivering engagement initiatives that reach a broad and diverse range of Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau communities
• Developing and continuously improving digital engagement tools, templates, and processes
• Supporting strategic programmes of work across the wider unit

He kōrero mōu: About you

You are a proactive, can-do engagement professional who takes initiative and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Curious and open-minded, you are always keen to learn and bring sound judgement and common sense to your work.

You will have solid experience leading and delivering public engagement, along with strong political acumen and a good understanding of democratic systems and the machinery of government. You are confident developing advice, guiding stakeholders, and making clear, well-reasoned recommendations.

As a senior member of the team, you will bring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with elected members, project managers, senior leaders, and community stakeholders. You value inclusion and are committed to ensuring underrepresented and minority voices are heard and reflected in decision-making.

You will also bring a strong understanding of Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, and the ability to embed these into engagement practice.

We’re looking for someone who has:

· 7–8 years’ experience in stakeholder engagement, community engagement, or insights-related‑ roles

· Proven experience delivering engagement projects, including consultations, workshops, and public facing‑ events (e.g. Have Your Say initiatives)

· Strong relationship building skills with a collaborative, partnership‑-‑focused working style

· Confidence operating at both strategic and delivery levels within complex organisations

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for a range of audiences

· Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and programmes concurrently

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

At Auckland Council, you will join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.7 million Aucklanders. We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on well-being, and a culture of continuous improvement. 
 
We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.  
 
Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of.
View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE 

 
In return for your hard work, you can expect a flexible and supportive work environment. 
Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini My success is not mine alone, but the success of many.

Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now!
Applications close: 10th March 2026
You can find a copy of the position description HERE
Fixed-term opportunity Covering Parental Leave

Please note, this role was advertised as an Engagement & Outreach Specialist to better target our candidates. The actual role is called Senior Customer & Citizen Engagement Specialist

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer. We serve the diverse communities of Tāmaki Makaurau and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds - regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, educational background, or religious beliefs. We also welcome applications from our Rainbow communities as well as disabled and neurodivergent people. We are committed to making our hiring process accessible to everyone. If you require any support or adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.