Digital Communications Lead

Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils have formed a publicly owned, Council-controlled Organisation (CCO) to deliver water services across Hamilton city and Waikato district. The company is called IAWAI - Flowing Waters and will take over the provision of water services from 1 July 2026. This transition will occur in stages such as the current Watercare contract for Waikato District Council transferring to the CCO on 1 July 2026.  

He angituutanga: The opportunity 

Reporting to the Corporate Communications Manager (Aronui Paaoho), you’ll play a central role in shaping IAWAI’s digital presence and supporting its wider corporate communications function. This is an opportunity to bring fresh thinking and strong digital capability to an organisation focused on meaningful outcomes for communities and partners.

You’ll lead the development and delivery of IAWAI’s digital communications strategy across web, social media, and other digital channels, ensuring content is clear, consistent, and accessible. Your specialist expertise will help translate both project and corporate messaging into engaging digital content that builds public understanding and trust. Working closely with Aronui Tuuhono, you’ll ensure infrastructure programme communications are effectively delivered online, and you’ll collaborate with Aronui Maaori to ensure Maaori engagement content is represented with accuracy and respect.

A key part of your role will be strengthening IAWAI’s digital capability, including developing digital standards, improving content governance, monitoring performance, and driving continuous improvement across all digital engagement practices. This is a chance to make a real impact by lifting digital excellence across the organisation.

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience 

• Demonstrated experience leading digital communications for complex, public-facing organisations, ideally within infrastructure, utilities, or local government environments
• Strong experience managing and developing organisational websites, including content structure, user experience, and platform optimisation
• Proven experience delivering or significantly contributing to intranet development, including understanding of both technical delivery and organisational adoption
• Experience managing social media channels in a public or community-facing environment, including content planning, tone, and audience engagement
• Strong understanding of digital content strategy, including the ability to translate complex, technical, or sensitive information into clear and accessible content
• Experience establishing digital governance frameworks, including content standards, workflows, and approval processes
• Ability to interpret digital analytics and user insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvement
• Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles in digital environments
• Experience supporting digital communications in high-pressure environments, including issues, incidents, or service disruptions
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams, including Corporate Communications (Aronui Paaoho), Project Engagement and Communications (Aronui Tuuhono), and Maaori Partnerships (Aronui Maaori)
• Strong organisational awareness and judgement, with the ability to balance speed, accuracy, and reputational considerations in digital content delivery
• A proactive and self-directed approach, with the ability to lead a critical workstream in an establishment-phase organisation
• Te reo and te ao Maaori worldview competencies is an advantage

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary? 

Circa $130k dependent on skills and experience.

Me Tono Inaaianei!: Apply Now! 

• View the position description.
• Click apply
• ​Complete your application.

If you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please combine this in the same file as your resume and upload as a PDF file. Alternatively, you can use the 'Write a message to the Hiring Team' text box.

Applications close on the: 27 April 2026

Note: We will be shortlisting as we receive applications.

Start date for this position will be on or after 1 July 2026.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking hereIt is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met