Stakeholder Engagement Specialist | Watercare

The Stakeholder Engagement Specialist provides best-practice advice to our Strategy and Planning and Capital Delivery teams on stakeholder and community engagement. This role is pivotal in ensuring a customer and stakeholder perspective is embedded at all stages of project delivery, from concept development through planning, design, statutory approvals, and construction.

You will play a key role in supporting our delivery team as we maintain and upgrade infrastructure across Tāmaki Makaurau. The position involves building strong relationships across the business, including teams involved in infrastructure projects, external contractors, and internal stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with Project Managers to provide best-practice advice on stakeholder engagement and liaison.
• Deliver stakeholder communications that foster positive relationships and experiences between Watercare and the communities we serve.
• Create innovative and engaging collateral to provide project updates.
• Organise and oversee stakeholder liaison events, information sessions, and community celebrations.
• Promote project stories to build community awareness and trust in the organisation.

Ngā pūkenga e rapu nei mātou | About you

To succeed in this role, you will:

• Have excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to manage ambiguity and solve problems.
• Take a collaborative approach, working effectively with team members, contractors, and community groups to maintain clear communication.
• Be able to develop and promote new ideas and methods that strengthen relationships with staff and stakeholders.
• Ideally bring 5+ years’ experience in roles where relationship and reputational management are key.
• Demonstrate persistence and resilience, as you will sometimes manage customer complaints and work with contractors to resolve stakeholder issues.
• Hold (or be willing to obtain) Engagement Institute training—beneficial but not essential, as we can support you to gain this certification.