Chief External Relations Officer

 

 

We’re going places. Are you?

 

 This role will be responsible for managing all aspects of KiwiRail’s external communications, public relations, media, and community relations activities, including crisis management.

 

What you’ll do

 

The role will engage with government, our external stakeholders and, also, with the media. The focus on this role is improving the engagement and relationship with our stakeholders.

Health and Safety is an important part of how KiwiRail operates. You will be a safety leader and will be expected to “walk the safety talk”.

 

 Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategic external and stakeholder management frameworks, strategies, and policies.
• Ensure that KiwiRail’s external activities comply with ethical, legal and Government obligations.
• Facilitate the preparation of reports to the public (e.g., Annual Reports), and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure a crisis communications policy exists for contingencies; and is supported by expertise in crises and incident communications (including positioning and information release).
• Provide strategic communications advice to the Chief Executive, Executive team, and Board.  
• Develop and establish effective networks and relationships with key stakeholders and look for opportunities to leverage these relationships to increase understanding of KiwiRail’s role, responsibilities, and priorities. 
• Working collaboratively with the Executive team, lead input into stakeholder relationships and issues management particularly where there is strong political, media and/or industry interest.
• Lead the development of a proactive communications strategy, and the execution of media releases, articles and media briefings for the Chief Executive, Board and Executive team.
• Manage media relationships proactively and strategically to contribute to enhanced organisational reputation.
• Champion and lead a culture that is customer and -centric and supports growth and delivery, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Responsible for the identification, reporting and initial control of any safety or environmental hazard identified within your area to your immediate manager.

 

 

What you’ll need

 

• A tertiary qualification in Journalism, politics, communications and or business.
• Senior strategic communications experience in a medium to large commercial organisation for a minimum of 10 years.
• Extensive experience in communications, media management and public relations
• Strong networks across media and business.
• Experience as a journalist or public affairs consultant.
• Experience developing and leading teams in a complex and or political environment and through periods of significant transformational change.

 

Why KiwiRail?

 

KiwiRail is New Zealand's national railway, employing around 4,200 talented people in a wide range of business functions.  Our teams are responsible for maintaining 4,000 kilometres of rail corridor, bridges, tunnels, viaducts, overhead wires, signals, and level crossings. Our team is like a family; we love what we do, and we thrive in this busy and upbeat environment.

KiwiRail is committed to an inclusive, flexible, and supportive workplace where everyone can feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunity to succeed. We encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, sexual orientation, personalities, ethnicities, abilities, and cultures.

 

If you are ready to make a difference within a progressive organisation that encourages forward thinking and recognises success, then we would like to hear from you.

 

Applications close – 3rd May 2024